Japan’s spring pollen season is one of the worst in the world, and it affects up to 40% of the population. Many foreigners arrive with no history of allergies and develop symptoms within their first spring here. Here’s how to manage it.
Japan’s Pollen Calendar
| Month | Pollen Type | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| February | Cedar (スギ) begins | Moderate |
| March | Cedar peak + Cypress (ヒノキ) starts | Very high |
| April | Cypress peak | Very high |
| May | Grass pollen | Moderate |
| June–January | Minimal pollen | Low |
The worst months are March and April. In bad years, pollen counts can be 10x higher than usual.
Symptoms
- Sneezing, runny/stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes (most people)
- Itchy throat
- Skin irritation (less common)
- Fatigue from constant symptoms
First-time sufferers often mistake hay fever for a cold in February.
Over-the-Counter Medications in Japan
Japanese pharmacies (ドラッグストア) stock extensive allergy medicine. Popular options:
Antihistamines (抗ヒスタミン薬)
| Product | Active Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| アレグラFX (Allegra FX) | Fexofenadine 60mg | Non-drowsy, most popular |
| クラリチンEX (Claritin) | Loratadine 10mg | Non-drowsy, once daily |
| ストナリニ (Stona Rini) | Cetirizine | May cause drowsiness |
| エバステルAL | Ebastine | Stronger, once daily |
Recommended: Start with アレグラFX (Allegra FX) — non-drowsy, effective, widely available.
Cost: ¥1,000–2,000 for a 2-week supply
Eye Drops for Pollen
- アレジオン点眼薬 — prescription strength but available OTC in Japan
- ロートALアレルギー — over-the-counter, widely available
- Refrigerate for extra relief
Nasal Sprays
- フルナーゼ (Fluticasone) — steroid nasal spray; highly effective; prescription usually needed
- ナザールAR — OTC nasal spray with antihistamine
Seeing a Doctor for Hay Fever
For severe symptoms, visit a 耳鼻咽喉科 (ENT clinic) — ear, nose, and throat specialist.
What they can prescribe:
- Stronger antihistamines (montelukast, bilastine)
- Steroid nasal sprays (フルナーゼ, ナゾネックス)
- Eye drops (prescription strength)
- Immunotherapy (舌下免疫療法, sublingual immunotherapy) — a multi-year treatment that can cure cedar pollen allergy permanently
Cost with insurance: ¥500–2,000 per visit (plus medication cost)
Immunotherapy (舌下免疫療法)
This is the only treatment that can permanently reduce or eliminate cedar pollen allergy.
- Take small daily drops or tablets of cedar pollen extract under the tongue
- Takes 3–5 years of daily treatment
- Success rate: ~80% significant improvement
- Available at ENT clinics; covered by Japanese health insurance
- Requires commitment — stopping early may reduce effectiveness
If you plan to live in Japan long-term, this is worth considering.
Daily Survival Tips During Pollen Season
Outdoors
- Check the pollen forecast — 日本気象協会 publishes daily maps
- Wear a mask — Japanese non-woven masks (N95 or standard surgical) filter pollen
- Wear glasses or goggles — sunglasses reduce eye symptoms significantly
- Avoid outdoor activity on warm, dry, windy days after rain (pollen spreads most)
Indoors
- Don’t hang laundry outside during peak season — use a dryer or indoor rack
- Use an air purifier with HEPA filter (シャープ Plasmacluster or Dyson)
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days
- Change clothes immediately when returning home; shower to remove pollen from hair
Diet
- Reduce alcohol (dilates blood vessels, worsens symptoms)
- Some studies suggest fermented foods and probiotics help mild symptoms
Pollen Forecast Apps
- Yahoo!天気 — includes daily pollen level maps
- 花粉症マップ (Kafunsho Map) — real-time pollen data by area
- NHK Weather — reliable government-backed data
Does Everyone in Japan Get Hay Fever?
No — but the risk increases the longer you live in Japan. Foreigners from countries with low cedar/cypress exposure have no prior immunity, making them susceptible after repeated exposure.
If you’ve been fine for 1–2 years, you may still develop symptoms later.
Travelling outside Japan? Japanese health insurance doesn’t cover you abroad. SafetyWing offers affordable monthly travel medical insurance for expats — cancel anytime.