Objectives : Iridoid glycoside, swertiamarin is a well known bioactive component found in Swertia japonica Makino (SJ). In this study, we tried to optimize a suitable method which would extract swertiamarin effectively. Methods : Extraction of SJ was carried out by various conditions of time (5 - 60 min), temperature ($30-70^{circ}C$), solvent (from non-polar to polar), and ratio of solvnet / sample (10 : 1 - 40 : 1) using ultrasonic extractor. Swertiamarin in SJ extracts was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography - Phtodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) using C18 column and the analytical procedure was validated by evaluation of specificity, range, linearity, accuracy (recovery), precision (intra- and inter day variability), limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Results : An efficient extraction condition for swertiamarin in SJ was optimized using sonicator extraction (temperature $40^{circ}C$, solvent 20% methanol, solvent / sample (20 : 1), and time 10 min. Analytical procedure was optimized by HPLC-PDA using isocratic solvent system of acetonitrile and water (9 : 91), and the method was validated in regard to linearity (correlation coefficient, $R^2$ > 0.9999), range ($50-1000{mu}g/mL$), intra- and inter-precision (RSD < 5.0 %), and recovery (99 -103 %). LOD and LOQ were 0.051 and $0.155{mu}g/mL$, respectively. Conclusion : An optimized method of extraction for swertiamarin in SJ was established through conditions of diverse extraction and the validation result indicated that the method is suited for the determination of swertiamarin in SJ.