Why Is Everyone in Japan Crying in March? (The “Kafun-sho” Tragedy)

The Masked Nation
Long before COVID, if you visited Japan in March, you would see 50% of the population wearing surgical masks and weird goggles. Are they afraid of a virus? No. They are fighting the “Yellow Dust.” This is the season of “Kafun-sho” (Hay Fever).

The Cedar Mistake
Why is it so bad? After World War II, Japan planted millions of Cedar Trees (Sugi) to rebuild houses. It was a government policy. Now, those trees are mature and release massive clouds of yellow pollen every spring. It is a “man-made disaster” that affects 40% of the population.

The National Symptom
In March, news programs show “Pollen Forecasts” alongside the weather. You will see businessmen sneezing uncontrollably on trains and red-eyed students carrying boxes of luxury tissues. It is considered the “National Disease” of Japan.

High-Tech Armor
To survive, Japanese companies invented crazy products. You can buy “Pollen-Block Spray” for your face, “Nose Masks” (filters you insert directly into your nostrils), and air purifiers for your neck. Drugstores in March look like medical armories.

Escape to Okinawa
There is only one escape. The cedar trees do not grow in Okinawa (the southern islands) or Hokkaido (the far north). Some rich people or digital nomads literally move to Okinawa for two months just to breathe freely. It is the “Pollen Evacuation.”

Surviving the March Madness (Related Articles)
Sneezing isn’t the only reason Japanese people are crying in March. It is the busiest, most stressful month of the year. But don’t worry, there is help on the street!

1. The Double Punch of Stress While fighting the pollen, Japanese people are also fighting the clock. March is the “End of the Fiscal Year,” meaning everyone is moving, changing jobs, and rushing to finish work. It is an emotional rollercoaster!
👉 Why is March so busy? Check out: “Why Is Japan So Busy and Emotional in March? (The ‘Fiscal Year’ Frenzy)”

Why Is Japan So Busy and Emotional in March? (The “Fiscal Year” Frenzy)

2. The Savior on the Street Run out of tissues for your runny nose? Look near the train station. Strangers will hand you plastic packets of tissues for free. It’s not a scam; it’s a life-saving advertisement!
👉 Why are they free? Check out: “Why Do Strangers Hand You Free Tissues on the Street?”

Why Do Strangers Hand You Free Tissues on the Street?

LEARN MORE JAPAN Fun Facts

HOME

Pick Up

Latest Articles

BACK TO HOME