Abstract
Using a sampling device of our own making, airborne pollen has been monitored in Kyoto, Japan from the middle of February to the end of May 2004. From the morphological analysis of pollen grains by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), it was possible to identify some pollen types like Cryptomeria, Pine, Alder, Cyclobalanopsis, Chamaecyparis, and Equisetum. Daily average airborne pollen counts show strong variations from the day to day which makes the appropriate daily forecasts that could be of practical use for patients difficult. Diurnal variation of airborne pollen grains at our local sampling site is very irregular and shows no similarity between pollen types. The highest concentrations of Cryptomeria and Alder pollens in the south -west wind directions might be attributed to the airborne pollen transport, while the increase in Pine pollen grain in the southern wind direction was probably due to the local spread. Prevailing wind direction (SW) during the pollinating periods of Cryptomeria and Alder pollens could suggest a long-distance transport from a distant mountain.