On a recent spectacular spring day, I took a walk from Tokyo¡¯s Shibuya to the hip district of Shimokitazawa. It was one of the year¡¯s first days of T-shirt weather and the cherry blossoms were blooming.
But by the time I arrived, my eyes were itchy and watering, my throat scratchy and I began hacking and sneezing. There was only one possible cause, I figured: After more than two decades in Japan, it was time for my ¡°debut.¡±
Hay fever is such a pervasive and increasing problem that this is how people often describe the sudden onset of pollen allergy. ¡°I¡¯ve debuted this season,¡± they will say when they are beset by the cold-like symptoms after years of sniffle-free springs.
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