Overview
As of May 2026, Japanese cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki) pollen seasons are largely over. However, grass pollen (Timothy grass, orchard grass) peaks from May through July across central and southern Japan. Travelers with a history of seasonal allergies should be prepared.
Pharmacist's note: Most second-generation antihistamines are available over-the-counter in Japan. Common products include Allegra FX (fexofenadine), Allegion 20 (epinastine), and Claritin EX (loratadine). Intranasal steroids often require a prescription.
Traveler Advice
- Available OTC antihistamines: Allegra FX, Allegion 20, Claritin EX
- Eye symptoms: OTC antiallergy eye drops (prescription needed for Patanol, etc.)
- Masks: High-filtration pollen masks are widely sold at any drugstore (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, etc.)
- Accommodation: Keep windows closed; use AC on indoor-air-recirculation mode
References
- Japan Ministry of the Environment pollen observation system "Hanako-san": https://kafun.env.go.jp/
This alert summarizes public advisories with pharmacist commentary. For treatment decisions, please consult a licensed medical provider.