For those suffering from hay fever, these days can be incredibly challenging. Pollen forecasts show extremely high levels of pollen dispersion across almost all regions, except for Hokkaido, every day. Therefore, in this article, I will introduce useful items to help manage hay fever in Japan. I hope you find these tips helpful.
For the 2025 peak forecast by region, please see the following article.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: 3 Ways for Hay Fever Prevention in Japan
According to information from the Cabinet Office, there are three main points to keep in mind for hay fever in Japan:
- Avoid contact with pollen as much as possible when going outside.
- Prevent bringing pollen into the house.
- Reduce pollen inside the room.
Let’s take a look at each point.
Source: Cabinet Office
Chapter 2: Avoid contact with pollen
Masks
Of course, it’s best to avoid going outside on days with high pollen levels, but that’s not always easy. For those who aren’t used to wearing masks, masks are highly effective. According to research by the Cabinet Office, masks can reduce pollen by 84%. While wearing masks is a common habit in Japan from a young age, it may feel uncomfortable for those not used to it. Below are masks that are expected to help reduce discomfort and improve breathability.
Features:
- Ultra-fine nano fibers cut 99% of particles, blocking virus droplets, pollen, and PM2.5.
- Made in Japan.
- Four-layer 3D design keeps it lightweight and easy to breathe.
- Soft, stretchable ear straps prevent ear pain.
- Anti-fog tape (built into the 3D design) keeps glasses clear.
User Comments:
- “Breathing is easier than regular masks, but it’s not perfect. It might not work well for elderly people with breathing issues.”
- “It’s comfortable, doesn’t remove my lipstick or lip balm, and feels gentle on my skin. It also blocks pollen well, so I don’t sneeze.”
- “I wore it all day, and it stayed comfortable without sticking to my nose or mouth with each breath.”
Some negative feedback relates to the price.
- “The price is high.”
- “It’s expensive, but the effectiveness makes it worth it.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Features:
- 3D-shaped mask designed for easy breathing and conversation.
- Optimized airflow with fibers of different thicknesses while maintaining high filtration.
- Three-layer structure (outer sheet, special nano fiber, inner comfort sheet) blocks virus droplets, bacteria, and PM2.5.
- Wide cotton ear straps (approx. 8mm) provide a comfortable fit without hurting the ears.
- JIS-certified, meeting Japanese Industrial Standards for masks.
User Comments:
- “The mask I used before felt stuffy, but this 3D design makes breathing easier! It works just as well, so I’m glad I bought it. I’ll buy it again.”
- “This was the most comfortable mask I wore in summer.”
Negative feedback as follows;
- “There are not many color options, and the price is high.”
- “The mask is great, but I wish it stopped my glasses from fogging up.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Glasses
Wearing glasses helps keep pollen out of the eyes, mucous membranes, and eyelashes. Pollen-protection glasses have a thicker design, like goggles, to fit closely to the skin. To avoid bulkiness, here are thinner options with good reviews.
Features:
- Frame fits closely to block pollen.
- Anti-fog lenses keep vision clear, even with a mask.
- UV protection (98%) and blue light reduction (35%) make them suitable as PC glasses year-round.
- Lightweight and unisex design for a comfortable fit.
User Comments:
- “My partner and I wear these with masks, and they don’t fog up. They feel light, fit well, and block pollen effectively.”
- “No fogging over a mask, no discomfort. First time buying pollen-protection glasses, and they’re lightweight, stylish, and reduce eye itchiness.”
Negative Feedback:
- “The size didn’t fit me perfectly, but overall, I’m satisfied with the performance.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Features:
- 98% pollen protection (based on company research).
- 98% UV protection to shield eyes from harmful rays.
- Lightweight, flexible, and highly durable for long-term use.
- 35% blue light reduction and high-performance anti-fog lenses.
User Comments:
- “My allergies are so bad my eyes swell up. Without these glasses, my eyes would be a mess.”
- “I wear them for my commute. They don’t fog up with a mask and feel protective.”
- “They fit well, cover my eyes, and block pollen.”
Negative Feedback:
- “They were fine on the first day, but fogged up a lot with a mask on the second. I need anti-fog spray.”
- “They fog without anti-fog spray. It’s a must-have.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Chapter 3: Prevent bringing pollen into the house
Even if you manage to block pollen outside, it will still cling to your clothes, hair, and nose. Therefore, when you return home, make sure to brush off the pollen from your clothes before entering your living space. Ideally, the best option is to take a shower as soon as possible. Additionally, don’t forget to wash your hands and rinse your mouth before touching anything in your home.
Features:
- Made of 100% premium natural horsehair.
- Effectively removes pollen and dust.
- Reaches fine areas for thorough cleaning.
- Works as a clothing brush for clothes, hats, and bedding.
- May help reduce static electricity.
User Comments:
- “Not too hard, not too soft—easy to use and removes dust well.”
- “Affordable and works just fine.”
Negative Feedback:
- “Feels a bit harder compared to the one I bought four years ago from another site.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Chapter 4: Reduce pollen inside the room
Pollen enters through windows and sticks to clothing and hair. Completely closing windows isn’t practical, so open them about 10 cm for ventilation while limiting pollen. Clean regularly to keep pollen levels low. Here are some helpful cleaning tools.
Air Purifier
Features:
- Recommended for rooms up to 21.5㎡ (38㎡ for air purification).
- Low running cost: About 2.6 yen per day (on silent humidification mode).
- Removes static electricity, preventing pollen and fine dust from sticking to walls.
- Reduces airborne pollen allergens.
- Strong suction: Pulls in dust through a large back intake.
User Comments:
- “Great product from a trusted brand.”
- “The sensor reacts instantly to odors, and the fan speeds up right away.”
- “Really helps in winter—no more dry throat from heating.”
Negative Feedback:
- “The filter got chalky buildup within a week. Cleaning it is annoying, but it works well.”
- “The air purification mode is a bit loud, except on the lowest setting.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Cleaning supplies
Features:
- Prevents pollen and house dust from spreading in the air.
- Binds dust and allergens when sprayed on fabric.
- Easy to clean—use a lint roller after spraying to remove trapped pollen and dust.
- Two types available: “Fresh Linen Scent” and “Fragrance-Free.”
User Comments:
- “Sprayed at night, used a lint roller in the morning, and I think there was less pollen.”
- “After spraying this all over, my runny nose stopped completely!”
- “Tried air purifiers, cleaning, and changing my futon—nothing worked. But after using this, my breathing improved on the first day!”
Negative Feedback:
- “I checked 4–5 stores, but none had it in stock.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
Features:
- Black adhesive sheet makes it easy to see what’s removed.
- Angled cut for easy peeling.
- Removes allergens like pollen and dust mites.
User Comments:
- “Strong adhesive! The black color makes dirt easy to see.”
- “The angled cut makes peeling easy.”
Negative Feedback:
- “Wish the adhesive was a bit stronger.”
- “Bought it for easy peeling, but it’s harder than expected.”
Source: Amazon.co.jp
I hope this information helps you manage hay fever in Japan. It’s important to visit a hospital before your symptoms worsen and to take the recommended medication. For Japan’s representative medications, please see below.
* When you purchase products introduced in the content, a portion of the sales may be returned to belongingJAPAN.
*Please note that there may be changes in availability or pricing. The prices listed above are as of March 14th, 2025. For further details, please check Amazon.co.jp.
