[For General Audience] Little-Known Trivia and Fun Facts About Hay Fever

Last updated:2026/2/26

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Every year when pollen season arrives, many people struggle with sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Hay fever, which afflicts many Japanese people, is no longer someone else’s problem.

Surprisingly, this very familiar condition hides plenty of little-known trivia and fun facts that may make you say, “Really?” In this article, we’ve gathered a wide range of general-interest trivia and tidbits about hay fever.

Many of them are useful for everyday prevention just by knowing them, so whether you suffer from hay fever or not, be sure to check them out!

[For the general public] A roundup of surprisingly little-known trivia & fun facts about hay fever (1–10)

The pollen that caused the first person in Japan to be diagnosed with hay fever was ragweed.NEW!

The first medically documented case of hay fever in Japan was reported in 1961, and the causative plant was ragweed, which releases its pollen in autumn.

Ragweed grows in familiar places such as riverbanks and vacant lots; although it is short and seemingly inconspicuous, its pollen is carried widely by the wind.

At the time, patients suffered from symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Today, the effects of cedar and cypress pollen are well known, but the history of hay fever in Japan began with autumn ragweed.

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There are two pollen peaks in a day.NEW!

Pollen is present in the air throughout the day, but it’s known to increase especially from morning to noon and again around evening.

In the morning, pollen that accumulated overnight rises into the air, making symptoms more likely during commutes to work or school.

In the evening, pollen stirred up by daytime activity increases again.

By keeping these two peak times in mind and using masks or glasses, and by keeping windows closed, you can reduce pollen exposure.

It’s a handy tip that anyone looking to ease their hay fever symptoms should know.

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Animals can get hay fever too.NEW!

Pollen allergies are often thought to affect only humans, but in fact, animals such as dogs, cats, and rabbits can also react to pollen.

In addition to frequent sneezing like people, they may show signs such as itchy skin, red eyes, and increased tearing.

It’s especially important during high-pollen seasons like spring and autumn to check after walks to see if they seem itchy.

Noticing even small changes can lead to early care.

This is useful knowledge to help protect the health of your pets, who are beloved members of the family.

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We need to be careful about pollen even indoors.NEW!

Pollen often enters indoors from outside and can be carried in when you open windows or on clothing, hair, and shoes.

It can also spread through air conditioner circulation, which is why you may experience sneezing and itchy eyes even at home.

As countermeasures, lightly brush off pollen from your clothes and hair when you return home, and make use of cleaning and air purifiers.

Keep in mind that by taking a bit of care not only when you go outside but also inside buildings, you can ease your hay fever symptoms.

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Pollen travels even at altitudes above 600 meters.NEW!

Here’s a fun fact that reveals an unexpected trait of how pollen travels.

Pollen doesn’t just drift near the ground—it can ride the wind and soar to heights over 600 meters.

That’s why you can encounter pollen not only in city streets but also in the mountains and around high-rise buildings.

Pollen carried from far away can also fall with rain or wind, so it’s important to check dispersal forecasts, use masks and glasses, and brush pollen off your clothes and hair when you get home.

Knowing that pollen is active not only at ground level but also up in the air can raise your awareness of pollen precautions—so keep this in mind.

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