Summer is here, and with it the mosquitoes, the humidity and the collective urge to say “astu” to as many people as possible has arrived.

It’s a tough season for some, but I personally love it. This is our how to guide on how to beat the heat and embrace the humidity.

Crocs

I can’t rock Crocs in the states, but out here, I can somehow pull them off. It’s like a Black Mirror episode out here where crocs are somehow cool (pun intended).They’re cheap, they breathe and they keep you from sweating through your entire stockpile of socks in a week (sock pile?).

Go to the Beach

Sand. It’s coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere… Anikin Skywalker may not be a fan of sand but the way I see it, warm, sandy beaches are a thing of beauty and it would be a shame not to enjoy them. If you are in the Hiroshima area, check out our article on Hiroshima beaches. The water is the perfect temperature, the sun feels great and there is something about the beach that recharges your battery for the next week at work.

Open your windows and get the fans going

Get as much air in your apartment as possible with a cross breeze . One fan isn’t enough; stockpile fans like you’re in a summer Cold War, (hot war?). Use them to both circulate the cool air while pushing out the hot. You may need to get a bit creative to do this. Every summer I mount a vigorous effort to create an artificial hurricane within my apartment. After a while the white noise will start to sound more and more like a lullaby.

Convert your balcony into a front porch hang out

Get some lights, lawn chairs, a mini fridge and spend your evenings relaxing in your new summer command center. Take in the breeze, enjoy the view and kickback outside of your usual living room spot. This has the added benefit of giving you the opportunity to people watch, which is especially interesting in Japan.

Cold showers

Start your mornings with a powerful cold shower. It wakes you up, cools you down and takes some pressure off of your gas bill. On top of that, it turns out that there are a ton of health benefits associated with cold exposure. Who knows, maybe this summer cool down habit can follow you to fall and even winter and help you become a superhuman.

Cool technology to sleep on (in more meanings than one)

Snuggling with your teddy bear isn’t an option in the sticky Japanese summer, unless… you strap it with several icepacks. Hmm… maybe the wet Teddy won’t be too happy about that. Instead, I recommend spooning a gel icepack. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve pushed my girlfriend away to get to snuggle up with a refreshing cold pack. Another popular option in Japan is the summer version cool bedding sold at variety shops like Loft. They have different names like “hinyari matto” and “cool matto” for example. I was skeptical at first but they work wonders.

Summer clothes

Time to lock up your winter closet and revamp your wardrobe, summer is here. Buy loose, light clothes that breath. Japanese stores such as UNIQLO have a variety of summer specific clothes that will keep you cool and looking good. If you are bold and looking to up your immersion game, buy a Japanese Jinbei 甚平, you will feel like a comfortable yet formidable samurai walking the mean streets of Japan.

Hydrate

This one is obvious yet unfortunately I don’t see it prioritized enough in the summer heat. Every summer I transform into a sweaty Demi Moore from G.I. Jane and my sweat factory (aka my body) needs some fuel to operate. For the frugal, practical and environmentally conscious, I recommend buying a portable water bottle and refilling every chance you get.

For the lazy and unprepared (much like myself) worry not! Japan is littered with vending machines, konbinis and places to buy a refreshing beverage to stay hydrated. Dehydration is not to be trifled with, be safe out there!

 

 

-Summer survival specialist and proud croc owner.