For people who live in Japan, the summertime suffering is no secret.
The heat and humidity can be unforgiving and can make simply being outside a small struggle. For those of you who don’t want to spend your days sitting in your house under the air conditioning unit (although we understand if you do), GoConnect found some pretty easy ways to stay cool while outside.
Cooling Wipes
The first is cooling wipes. There are a variety of different brands out there that offer cooling body wipes—the most well-known being Gatsby and Biore—that can provide a swipe of refreshment in the heat. Not only do they mop up the sweat, but the minty fresh tingle helps you to forget the humidity. You can also buy wipes like these that contain deodorant, which can assist with the sweat and give you peace of mind when it comes to your hygiene!
Another thing GoConnect recommends is clothing sprays. They contain a substance that reacts with your sweat, triggering a cooling sensation! You just spray it on before you get dressed. You can grab a small bottle of Shirt Cool for under ¥2,000 on Amazon, or find it in most pharmacies around Japan.
Umbrella and UV Ray-Blocking Clothes
If you’re looking for a break from the direct sunlight, or want to avoid damaging your skin, an umbrella—or a parasol—is the perfect way to do so. The accessories are very popular in Japan, and all types of people carry them.
Made out of UV ray-blocking fabric, they’re also great for avoiding sunburns, prickly heat, or heatstroke. You can find them everywhere, from conbinis to dedicated stores, and they come in a variety of fashionable patterns and colors. They’re also handy to have in case a bit of summer rain decides to make an appearance!
Eat Japanese Foods to Cool Down
When you’re looking to stay cool but feeling hungry, there are some traditional cold foods in Japan that will satisfy you.
Soba noodles are a staple food in Japanese summer. Zaru soba—boiled, cold soba noodles eaten with soy-based dipping sauce are a tasty way to fill your stomach without getting too sweaty. You can find soba everywhere, from conbinis to impressive soba restaurants.
Kakigori (shaved ice) is extremely popular in the summer. Flavored with syrup and a sweetener, often condensed milk, the chilled snack hits the spot and cools you down. There are plenty of different kakigori specialist shops popping up around Tokyo! Here is a list of places in Tokyo we highly recommend for the best kakigori in town.
Stay Hydrated to Beat the Heat
And last but not least, stay hydrated! Popular Japanese drinks that make appearances in most stores are Pocari Sweat and mugicha (roasted barley tea). The latter is sugar and caffeine-free and contains fiber, vitamin B and iron.
Pocari Sweat is an electrolyte replacement drink that can help if you’ve been sweating all day and need a pick me up. It is hugely popular in the Japanese summer and, while it is not a replacement for water, can help greatly with cooling you down.
