Pollen season is coming. Due to last year's sizzling summer, the amount of pollen this year is expected to be particularly nasty in some parts of the country, adding to the suffering of those subject to allergic reactions this time of year.

At the same time, businesses are offering ever-evolving goods and services to help ease the seasonal problem, ranging from robots that warn of the level of pollen in the air to masks, glasses and coats to ward off the offending particles.

This year, the count of cedar and Japanese cypress pollen is projected to be three times the level marked last year in parts of the Kanto and Tohoku regions.