Hay Fever in Japan: 10 Products To Help You Fight It

Temperatures are slowly but surely rising, flowers are blooming and we'll soon be trading our winter clothes for lighter jackets to welcome the most beautiful time of year—spring!

For some of us, this season comes with an ugly downside: a mandatory shopping spree for kafunsho (pollen allergy or hay fever) products in Japan.

The Hay Fever Fear in Japan

Welcoming the warmer months also brings great fear to millions of people in Japan. They gradually become confronted by constant sneezing, itchy eyes and streaming noses caused by all the pollen they breathe in during spring.

In 2025, the hay fever season is predicted to start a little earlier than usual thanks to merciful temperatures during this winter. At this very moment, deadly pollen particles are starting to fly almost all over Japan and will stick around until the end of March. While probably the best way to fight spring allergies is to get a prescription from your doctor, here are 10 hay fever products in Japan readily available on the market that will help you fight your allergies this season.

Masks

When you need an urgent hay fever solution, masks are your best friends. They are the most immediate and practical solution, as they simply block the pollen from entering your breathing system. Reusable cotton masks are an ecological and readily available option in Japan. You can buy them in most drugstores as well as organic or variety stores such as Bio C Bon or Plaza. Or, simply type “cotton mask” into your favorite online marketplace. Unfortunately, you will have to separate reusable from disposable masks. Still, you will eventually find a cute, simple or even organic cotton mask that you can wash and reuse to taste!

1. Pitta Masks

© Photo by Arax

Pitta masks are one of the most fashionable options in sight. First introduced in 2014 as a mask that not only blocks pollen but is also stylish, the Pitta Mask is now an Asian fashion staple. These light and comfortable face masks are made of a soft and stretchable polyurethane material that blocks 99% of the pollen around you. Moreover, they are easy to wear and feel soft on the skin—and most importantly, they don’t leave you struggling to catch your breath. Pitta masks are also available in a wide range of colors to match your fashion looks and are suitable for men, women and children.

• Price: Around ¥350-¥500 (for a pack of three masks)
• Where to buy: Drugstores, convenience stores and variety stores

2. Hydro Silver Titanium Masks

© Photo by Dr C Iyaku

If you’re more interested in innovative products, try out a Hydro Silver Titanium Mask. Originally known as the mask that turned “hay fever into water,” these incredible masks were developed by the creative minds at DR C. The advanced mechanics in the mask turn unsanitary proteins into water thanks to a special chemical reaction to the attached silver titanium, without wetting the mask for optimum comfort when wearing. Although they look similar to a regular mask, these high-tech versions come in two pollen-blocking strengths, as well as fog-stopping options for those who wear glasses. The cherry on top? It has a hydrating effect on your throat and will be perfect for the stuffy spring season. However, it’s not recommended for people with silver allergies, so please keep that in mind!

• Price: ¥539-¥759 (for a pack of three masks)
• Where to buy: Drugstores, convenience stores

Eye Care

3. Zoff Protect

© Photo by Zoff

Popular eyewear store Zoff has released a special hay fever series of glasses that fully cover your eyes so that no pollen can enter your system. The glasses come in a number of different colors and sizes (including a special Disney collaboration version for the kids) to fit every pollen allergic in town! They are specially designed to be paired with face masks so your vision won’t get blurry every time you breathe. Also, they cut 99% of UV rays, so you’ll be protected from the sun too! If you want the glasses extra shaded, you can add it as an option.

• Price: From ¥3,300-¥8,800 (depending on the design and prescription)
• Where to buy: Any Zoff stores across Japan

4. Rohto Alguard Clear Block Z Eye Drops

© Photo by Rohto

Here’s a relieving item for your itchy, red eyes. Rohto Alguard Clear Block Z is a powerful ophthalmic solution designed to tackle severe pollen allergy symptoms. With the highest concentration of active ingredients, it suppresses allergic reactions, stops itching, reduces inflammation and protects the cornea from further irritation. It’s recommended for those with persistent allergy symptoms in the eyes, especially if other eye drops haven’t provided enough relief.

• Price: ¥1,180
• Where to buy: Drugstores

5. Eye Shampoo Refresh

© Photo by Eye Shampoo

This minty Eye Shampoo Refresh is your new go-to solution after a long day of itchy hayfever eyes! This product offers a cool, invigorating feeling that revitalizes your eyes. It’s great for mornings and evenings before or after a hard day at school or work. Plus, with growing attention to eyelash mite prevention, especially for those who wear eye makeup daily or have eyelash extensions, eye shampoo is quickly becoming an essential part of daily hygiene.

• Price: ¥2,970
• Where to buy: Online limited

Air Purifiers

6. Portable My Air Black KL-P02-BK

© Photo by Kaltec

Stay surrounded by clean, fresh air wherever you go with this portable air purifier! Using cutting-edge photocatalytic technology, this personal air purifier breaks down odors, organic substances and even viruses—giving you that just-born fresh air feeling. Designed to match your natural breathing rhythm, it delivers purified air directly around your face. There are three ways to wear it: you can hang it around your neck, clip it onto your pocket or clothing or place it on its USB charging stand.

• Price: ¥17,380
• Where to buy: Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera and other electric stores

7. Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1

© Photo by Blueair

Blueair’s compact air purifier works wonders at clearing the air of pollen and other allergens like dust, pet dander and mold spores. This little powerhouse also triples as a heater and fan too, so you can use it all year round and not feel as bad about the price—you literally get three appliances in one! Thanks to its HEPASilent® technology, it removes up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.1μm, making the air cleaner and fresher. With features like a 350° rotating function and automatic shutoff if it tips over, the Blueair ComfortPure makes it easy to breathe and stay comfortable, no matter the season!

• Price: ¥66,000
• Where to buy: Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera and other electric stores

Other Useful Items

8. Kafun Barrier Outerwear

© Photo by Nano Universe

© Photo by Nano Universe

Nano Universe has developed a variety of stylish coat designs that prevent pollen from sticking to and inside your coat. Simple as it is, apparently, it makes a huge difference! The coats are available in various models, colors and sizes. Being water-proof, too, this coat literally covers your back—in every sense of the phrase.

• Price: ¥6,534-¥13,970
• Where to buy: Online or Nano Universe shops around Japan

9. Ihada Aller Screen

This Shiseido Medical spray has become a classic. It can be applied directly on top of makeup, face, hair or body and can block pollen and PM 2.5 particles. The spray has a natural essential oil scent of eucalyptus, geranium and peppermint. 

• Price: Spray type 50g (¥990), 100g (¥1,760)
• Where to buy: Most drugstores across Japan

10. Hana Noa Nasal Douche

© Photo by Kobayashi

An old favorite on the Japanese market, the Hananoa nose cleanser is a simple product with a single mission: to clean the insides of your nose and get rid of all that pollen, viruses, dust and bacteria that get attached to it when you breathe. The product comes with a special bottle, which you put in your nose, press the liquid in and spit out. It may take you a little while to get used to it, but this one really makes a difference. Use it every time you go back home.

• Price: ¥1,130 (500mL)
• Where to buy: Most drugstores across Japan

Bonus: Kafun Plus Nose Throat Candy

© Photo by Lion

While the guys at Lion obviously had a very creative marketing team to pull this one through, the actual good thing about these candies is that they have a very strong mint powder that will easily unblock your nose. It will certainly not prevent pollen allergies, but have one or two when you’re tired of breathing through your mouth and need a quick break!

• Price: Around ¥200
• Where to buy: Convenience stores, supermarkets, drugstores

Do you have any recommended products for fighting hay fever in Japan? How are you coping with it every season? Give us your hints in the comments below!