- Life & Culture
Summer in Japan: How to ‘Stay Cool’
Many people know about Japan’s distinct seasons. Between June and September, you can enjoy Japanese culture with unique Japanese summer activities!
Be careful – Japan in Summer can catch you off guard with how hot and humid it can be. Here’s what you should know about how to stay cool in Japan, especially at natsu-matsuri or Summer music festival.
“I think that you can schedule some daily tasks to later in the day, or at least outside of the hottest hours of the day. I find myself shopping later at night in summer, and avoiding going outside in the afternoon.
I realize that working in schools means that you’re active during the day, but most schools have air conditioning and you can always stay in the teacher’s room when you don’t have classes and stay cool.” – top tip from an ALT at Interac
1. Kakigoori - Refreshing Japanese Summer Snack
Tiny bits of ice and some flavored syrup on top – that’s what you need to stay refreshed! Shaved ice, or kakigoori, is a staple ofJapan in Summer. It’s at every Summer festival, usually with a selection of flavors. Choose from the usual strawberry and grape to the mysterious ‘Blue Hawaii’.
Want something a little more different from a snow-cone? Many restaurants serve shaved ice as a seasonal Summer menu item. Often, they have it with fresh fruit or condensed milk that gives it extra flavor and sweetness. Similar to ice-cream for a more Western population.
2. Pocari Sweat
Not big on ice? No worries! ‘Pocari Sweat’ can keep you hydrated during the Japanese Summer and make sure you replenish those electrolytes. Sometimes, people from other countries are unsure about the taste because of the name. However, Pocari Sweat is a sports drink with a much lighter taste and sweetness compared to ones from other countries. Rest assured, ‘sweat’ is in the name as a message about how it’s great for those extra warm Japanese Summer days. If you can’t get past the name, there are other popular brands like Aquarius. You can even get these in powder packets for filling up your water bottle on the go!
3. Towel as a Summer-Time Scarf
Stay cool and dry for a long day outside with a towel around your neck. “Tenugui” are a common sight during the Japanese Summer months. They’re long and thin towels, which makes them perfect for keeping around your neck. It even helps to block out some sunlight, to prevent burning. You can find a ‘tenugui’ that fits your style, and they make great souvenirs. Get extra cold by running yours under some cool water throughout the day.
4. Hand Fan
Hand fans have a long history in Japan. One kind of Japanese fan is the ‘uchiwa’. You can buy one if you need to, but they’re so common, many festivals even give them out for free! You’ll see places pass them out on the street as a freebie to advertise their business. It won’t be as good as a handheld electric fan, but it gets the job done. Handheld fans are perfect for keeping cool in Japan, on a budget.
Don’t want to give them free advertising? Looking for something more stylish? ‘Sensu’ fans come in all kinds of different patterns, and are satisfying to open and close. After Summer, open it up and place it on a stand as a nice decoration.
5. 'Cool Biz' for workers
A lot of the above points are good for short visits, but you might be looking for more info about the long-term. Japan is famous for being a conservative culture, especially for dress codes. In particular for businesses and schools, professional appearance is of the utmost importance. Being in the office, riding in busy trains, waiting at stations, it can’t be easy to stand the heat. The answer to the problem is ‘Cool Biz’!
Cool Biz is a project started by the Japanese government in the early 2000s. To reduce daytime electricity usage, the government encouraged less air conditioning. So, the government relaxed their own dress policy. The change was simple – leave the suit jackets at home, wear short-sleeve button downs. Government workers could even remove their ties and leave their top button undone. This encouraged companies to adopt the practice, too. Nowadays, many companies set Cool Biz between for a few months each year. Fashion brands put out seasonal Cool Biz wear, so it’s easy to keep your professional look intact.
Across Japan, many Interac instructors can dress in ‘Cool Biz’ throughout the Summer. Your branch will let you know of the details for your area. For the rest of the year, take a look at our article on the standard ALT dress code.SHARE
About the Author
Brian McDonough is a consultant at Interac, Japan’s largest provider of ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers). Originally from the US, Brian has lived in Japan for over 25 years, giving him a unique perspective on the cultural differences and challenges people face when moving to Japan. He has first-hand experience of working in Japan as an American.