Japan summer is hot, sticky and sweaty. The trick is kaizen, the Japanese idea of improving by 1% at a time. No single item below will save you, but stack them together and suddenly 35 degrees with 80% humidity feels (almost) manageable.
My Japan Summer Survival Kit
1. Cute SPF
Sunscreen is non-negotiable, so you might as well have fun with it. Japanese drugstores sell SPF in pastel tubes, character collabs and tone up versions that double as a primer. If it looks cute, you’ll actually reapply it.
2. Water based SPF
The real hero. Japanese water based sunscreens feel like a light gel, sink in fast and don’t turn your face into a frying pan by lunchtime. Grab one from any drugstore on day one.
3. Ice ring
A plastic ring you wear around your neck that stays cool for ages. It refreezes below 28 degrees, so a stint in an air conditioned café or a dunk in cold water and it’s good to go again. Not glamorous. Completely life changing.
4. Ice Smash
A frozen drink sold in convenience stores that turns to slush as you squeeze it. Half drink, half ice pack. I held mine against my wrists before I drank it.
5. Handheld USB fan
Every second person in Japan is carrying one, and now I understand why. Charge it overnight and point it straight at your face on train platforms.
6. Folding fan
The low tech backup for when your USB fan dies. Pretty, light and a lovely souvenir afterwards.
7. Bucket hat
Shade for your face, no hair flattening drama, and it folds into your bag when you head indoors.
8. Dress like you’re wearing a yukata
There’s a reason the yukata is Japan’s summer outfit: loose, breathable cotton. Skip the tight jeans and go for flowy linen and cotton. Your thighs will thank you.
9. Sunnies
The summer glare in Japan is no joke. Pack a good pair and keep them on your head, not in your bag.
What to Eat in Japan in Summer
10. Cold ramen (hiyashi chuka)
Chilled noodles topped with ham, egg, cucumber and a tangy soy dressing. When restaurants put up the “hiyashi chuka has started” sign, summer has officially arrived.
11. Shaved ice (kakigori)
Fluffy mountains of ice drenched in syrup, from classic strawberry to matcha with red bean. It melts fast, so eat fast.
12. Ice candies
Convenience store ice pops cost next to nothing and taste like childhood. Garigari-kun soda flavour is the classic. I had one almost every day (for research, obviously).
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[…] next day we woke up, had a late breakfast and went to the seaside Japan summer bazaar, walking from the hotel. Food stalls were selling yummy-looking snacks, kawaii-looking […]