Allergy · Shimbashi & Ginza
Two routes for a Japanese spring: a prescription antihistamine posted to you after an online consultation, or botox applied to the lining of the nose at the clinic for people who are troubled by drowsiness from hay fever medication. No Japanese health insurance is needed for either.
Prescription allergy medicine starts at ¥720 for 60 days at Shinbashi Ginza Swift Clinic in Shimbashi, Tokyo. That is bilastine 20mg (Bilanoa), a second-generation antihistamine for hay fever and year-round allergic rhinitis, prescribed after a ¥0 online consultation and posted for ¥550 — so a first order starts at ¥1,270. For people who still get drowsy on antihistamines, hay fever botox applied to the nasal lining is ¥8,900 for a first session and ¥6,000 for a repeat within the same season.
| Item | Strength | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bilanoa (bilastine) | 20mg | ¥720 for 60 days |
| Online consultation | — | ¥0 |
| Postage | — | ¥550 |
| First order, typical total | — | from ¥1,270 |
Bilastine is used for allergic rhinitis — seasonal hay fever and the year-round kind — as well as hives and itching from skin conditions. It suppresses the action of histamine, which drives the sneezing, runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes. It is a second-generation antihistamine, the group described as less likely to cause drowsiness than the older first-generation drugs.
| Session | Price |
|---|---|
| First session | ¥8,900 |
| Repeat session, same season | ¥6,000 |
Botulinum toxin applied to the lining of the nose rather than injected into muscle. Absorbed through the nasal mucosa, it dampens the overactive parasympathetic response behind a runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes — without the drowsiness and sluggishness that oral hay fever medication can bring. Two methods are used here: dripping the solution into the nasal cavity, or packing the nose with gauze soaked in it. It takes about 15 minutes, nothing is cut, and there is no downtime. It can be done at a first visit, and because this is self-pay there is no first-visit surcharge.
The effect lasts about two weeks to six weeks and varies between people; many patients come twice in a season. Some notice a difference within a few hours.
| Bilastine (tablets) | Nasal botox | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Online consultation, posted to you | At the clinic, Shimbashi |
| Cost | From ¥1,270 for a first order | ¥8,900, then ¥6,000 in the same season |
| How long it lasts | One tablet a day, through the season | About two to six weeks per session |
| Drowsiness | Less likely than first-generation drugs, but possible | Not a feature of this treatment |
| Suits you if | You would rather take an oral prescription after an online consultation | Drowsiness from hay fever medication gets in the way of work |
The two are not exclusive — which combination is appropriate is decided at the consultation. For everything else we treat, see the price list, botox treatments or online consultation.
You can be seen here without speaking Japanese. Consultations are handled with a translation app and written notes rather than by an English-speaking doctor, which works well for treatments where the decision is straightforward — repeat prescriptions, testing, hair removal — and is slower where you have a complicated history to explain. Treatment information, pricing and access details on these pages are in English. The booking system and the pre-visit questionnaire are in Japanese, so message us on LINE beforehand if you would like help completing them.
Yes. Because this is self-pay care, Japanese national health insurance is not required for the fees listed here. Bilastine 20mg is ¥720 for 60 days, the online consultation is ¥0 and postage is ¥550, so a first order starts at ¥1,270. A doctor reviews your history and current medication before prescribing.
Bilastine, sold in Japan under the brand name Bilanoa. It is a second-generation antihistamine used for allergic rhinitis — seasonal hay fever and the year-round kind — as well as hives and itching from skin conditions, and it is ¥720 for 60 days here. Which medicine is appropriate for you depends on your symptoms, your medical history and anything else you are taking, and that is decided at the consultation.
Food markedly reduces how much of it is absorbed. Take it at least one hour before a meal or at least two hours after one, with water, swallowed whole. This is the part that is easily missed, and taking it straight after a meal is why it is easily written off as not working.
It is a second-generation antihistamine, and these are described as less likely to cause drowsiness than first-generation ones. That is a tendency rather than a guarantee and it varies between people. If you do feel drowsy, avoid driving and machinery. Alcohol makes drowsiness and reduced alertness more likely.
Botulinum toxin applied to the lining of the nose rather than injected into muscle. Absorbed through the nasal mucosa, it dampens the overactive parasympathetic response behind a runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes. Two methods are used here: dripping the solution into the nasal cavity, or packing the nose with soaked gauze. It takes about 15 minutes, nothing is cut and there is no downtime.
About two weeks to six weeks, with individual variation, and many patients come twice in a season. A first session is ¥8,900 and a repeat session within the same season is ¥6,000. Some people notice a difference within a few hours of the treatment, though this also varies.
One minute from Shimbashi Station, a short walk from Ginza. Same-day slots are often available, and medication can be handled online.
