
Pollen Pandemonium: Japan’s Seasonal Struggle with Kafunshō
Spring in Japan is a season of breathtaking beauty and renewal. As sakura (cherry blossoms) paint the landscape in soft pink hues and people gather for joyful picnics, the air is also filled with something else, kafunshō (花粉症) or kafun are pollen allergies or hay fever. While it’s a challenge for many, it’s also a sign of nature awakening after winter. If you’ve noticed Tokyo commuters in masks, office workers with watery eyes, or drugstores stocked with allergy relief products, you’re seeing Japan’s unique way of adapting to the season with resilience and preparation.
Why is Japan’s Pollen Season So Brutal?
Pollen allergies are global, but Japan’s case is extreme. After World War II, the government planted cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki) trees for timber. Decades later, these trees matured and began releasing massive amounts of pollen. With nearly 70% of Japan’s forests filled with these trees, allergy sufferers face a springtime nightmare.
Kafunshō Symptoms: The Springtime Struggle
If your nose runs like a faucet and your eyes burn like you’ve chopped onions, welcome to kafunshō season! Symptoms include:
- Sneezing fits (Because one is never enough)
- Runny or stuffy nose (Breathing vs. drowning in tissues)
- Itchy, watery eyes (Contact lenses? Forget it.)
- Coughing and scratchy throat (Good luck proving it’s not a cold!)
- Fatigue and brain fog (Perfect for when you need to focus… not.)
- Severe cases can lead to asthma-like symptoms or chronic sinus infections.
When Does the Pollen War Begin?
Kafunshō isn’t a short battle, it’s a months-long war:
- February – April → Cedar pollen explosion (Peak suffering)
- March – May → Cypress pollen takes over (Just when you thought it was over!)
- May – July → Grasses join in (Because why not?)
Tokyo’s urban heat effect makes pollen linger even longer. Yay.
How to Survive Kafun Season Like a Pro
Here’s how allergy warriors fight back:
✅ Wear a mask – Pollen-specific masks exist!
✅ Glasses or goggles – Keep the pollen out of your eyes.
✅ Anti-pollen sprays – A shield for your skin.
✅ Antihistamines & nasal sprays – Your best friends in spring.
✅ Air purifiers – Because pollen doesn’t belong indoors.
Japan is even developing low-pollen cedar trees, but until then, survival mode continues!