Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2011

It’s that time of year again: as the first rumblings of spring are felt across Japan, they’re accompanied by vast clouds of cedar and cypress pollen, reducing a sizeable chunk of the population to sniffling, itchy-eyed wrecks. And 2011 looks to be a particularly rough year for hay fever sufferers. The Ministry of the Environment is predicting a sharp increase in pollen this year compared to 2010—as in, up to 10 times more of the damn stuff. There’s no better time to consider some of the remedies on offer…

Plug your nostrils with the Nosk (nose + mask, geddit?), a pair of filters that are claimed to cut 99.9 percent of rogue pollen and microbes (¥1,260 for two/¥1,680 for four, available at most drug stores).

If that’s too conspicuous, dab some HanaBlo around your nostrils to enjoy up to four hours of protection. No, we’ve no idea how it works either (¥1,732 for 5g tube, available at most drug stores).

Spray your entire mug with Pollenon face mist, an “invisible mask” that uses pectin to absorb that pesky pollen (¥3,000, available direct via www.ideal-net.jp/lp/alt/pollenon).

The makers of the HanaBlo, Fumazilla, also offer a clothes spray that harnesses nanotechnology to stop pollen sticking to your threads (¥546 for 300ml, available at most drug stores).

Alternatively, H&C Technology Laboratory has come up with a battery-powered clothes brush to suck pollen off your garments (¥4,410 from Amazon Japan).

Really desperate? Give your wardrobe an overhaul with Sanyo Shokai’s range of pollen-resistant coats for ladies and men (from ¥26,250 and ¥27,300, respectively; available at major department stores).

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science claim that eating three or four bananas every day can help relieve the symptoms of hay fever.

Yogurt is a popular folk remedy for hay fever, but you can get a more concentrated dose of the all-important lactobacillus from Calpis’ Arerukea L-92 range of drinks and supplements (available direct via www.calpis-shop.jp/l-92).

Most bizarrely, Koichiro Fujita, an emeritus professor at Tokyo Medical and Dental University and renowned parasitologist, has advocated infecting yourself with tapeworm (price TBA).

The Tech Option

On January 14, Docomo launched a mobile website that gives users real-time updates on pollen counts around Japan. Kafun [Pollen] Live! (http://kafun-live.jp) uses the company’s network of environmental sensors, installed at some 2,500 base stations nationwide. It’ll be up and running until April 30 and is available free to all Docomo users. The iPhone crowd can try Kafun Alarm (¥115), an app that provides daily pollen updates, and even has a message board where you can commiserate with fellow hay fever sufferers.