If you’ve never had hay fever in your home country, Japan may change that. Japan’s cedar pollen (sugi kafunsho — スギ花粉症) season is one of the worst in the world. About 30–40% of Japan’s population suffers from it, and many foreigners develop symptoms after living here for 1–3 years.
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.