{"id":27122,"date":"2026-02-25T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=27122"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T05:04:12","slug":"getting-rid-of-your-runny-nose-dealing-with-hay-fever-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/getting-rid-of-your-runny-nose-dealing-with-hay-fever-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting rid of your runny nose: dealing with hay fever in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated February 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on where you live in the world you may or may not be familiar with the seasonal sniffles of hay fever, but hay fever in Japan is very common and particularly intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With distinct seasons comes strong flora and lots of pollen<\/strong> floating around. You may find that when visiting Japan you start experiencing it for the first time. We\u2019re here to walk you through the symptoms and the remedies of kafunsh\u014d <\/em>(\u82b1\u7c89\u75c7) or hay fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>Due to various environmental factors, the temperatures in Japan have risen to extreme levels on some days during the summer and are expected to continue to do so. Please note that due to this, the level of pollen may increase and those that are more sensitive to this (i.e. allergies) may have some issues traveling outdoors. We would recommend taking the necessary precautions during this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What causes hay fever in Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hay fever in Japan can be particularly bad for many \u2014 not because of the sakura<\/em><\/a> that many of us might assume is the cause \u2014 but because of two types of cypress trees <\/strong>called sugi<\/em> (Japanese cedar) and hinoki<\/em> (Japanese cypress) that release massive amounts of tree pollen in the spring months from around February through to May<\/strong> as it moves across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following WWII, there was large scale planting of the two species to boost forestation and provide materials for the construction industry. Little did they know that it would have a major impact on the population. Today, an estimated more than 42.5% of people living in Japan suffer from some form of hay fever, making it so common that it’s been dubbed a “national disease.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hay fever or a cold?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never experienced kafunsh\u014d before then you might not know that many of the symptoms are similar to that of a cold. The key difference is that hay fever symptoms appear suddenly when exposed to pollen, worsen on dry and windy days, and improve on rainy days or when indoors. Unlike colds or flu, hay fever doesn’t include fever but often involves intense itching. It can also cause shortness of breath on heavy pollen days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things to do is to head to the pharmacist or a clinic specialized in jibika <\/em>(\u8033\u9f3b\u79d1, otolaryngology) if your symptoms are particularly bad. Once you\u2019re there though it will be useful to describe your symptoms<\/strong> so that you can get the treatment that\u2019s best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My eyes are itchy \u2014 me ga kayui<\/em> (\u76ee\u304c\u75d2\u3044)
I have a runny nose \u2014 hanamizu ga deru<\/em> (\u9f3b\u6c34\u304c\u51fa\u308b)
My eyes are red \u2014 me ga akai <\/em>(\u76ee\u304c\u8d64\u3044)
To sneeze \u2014 kushami ga deru<\/em> (\u304f\u3057\u3083\u307f\u304c\u51fa\u308b)
Stuffy nose \u2014 hanazumari<\/em> (\u9f3b\u3065\u307e\u308a)
I feel bad \u2014 kibun ga warui <\/em>(\u6c17\u5206\u304c\u60aa\u3044)
My throat is scratchy \u2014 nodo ga igaiga suru<\/em> (\u5589\u304c\u30a4\u30ac\u30a4\u30ac\u3059\u308b)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"allergy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to treat it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The otolaryngologist will be able to prescribe you stronger antihistamines<\/strong> than you are able to get in the pharmacy. Managing hay fever is most effective when treatment begins shortly before the pollen season peaks \u2014 ideally in late January or early February. There are a few other ways that you can battle the symptoms of hay fever in Japan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mask<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Masks<\/a> are incredibly easy to come by in Japan, as you might expect. They will help keep the pollen away from your nose, and your friends and colleagues will appreciate not having to see your runny nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for masks specifically labeled for pollen (\u82b1\u7c89\u75c7\u7528\/kafunsh\u014d-y\u014d<\/em>), which have tighter weaves and better filtration than standard masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyewash & eye drops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everyone tends to be affected differently, but the differentiating factor of hay fever from colds are the itchy eyes<\/strong>. Both eye drops and eyewash can be easily found at the pharmacy or drug store and will help wash the pollen out of your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antihistamines & medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For those in the UK and the US, antihistamines are the go-to treatment for hay fever. Thankfully there are plenty available in Japan as well. This is fortunate, given the restrictions on bringing medicine into the country. Check out our article here<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most effective over-the-counter products available at Japanese pharmacies include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n