The seasonal weather in Japan is constantly changing. The summer brings strong heat waves, while the winter can be very cold with snow. The spring and fall have mild temperatures and are known for their seasonal beauty. Because of the radical shift in seasonal weather, you may find that you have to change your mindset when dealing with the weather. There are more ways than just putting on seasonal clothing, and some may be something you didn’t think would impact you that much.
Eating the Right Food
Seasonal dishes bring more than different flavors and limited foodstuffs. They can affect your body to give it a small boost against the natural elements. Depending on the season, your food choices will change. In winter, it is best to drink hot drinks, like tea or coffee, to give yourself some internal warmth. Luckily Japan is a heavy tea-drinking country, so your selections of readily available hot teas and coffees will be wide and cheap. It also helps that the vending machines usually come with cold and warm beverages to purchase. Eating hot soups, or curry, with some spices mixed in can give your body the boost it needs to fight the cold. In the summer, you can cool down with some seasonal beverages, like ramune. There are also lots of shaved ice stands to help fight the summer heat. There is even a form of cold soba that is popular during the hot months. Spring and fall have many dishes that are made to keep you satisfied but not make you too hot or cold. They do have some of the most flavorful foods and drinks, especially during the sakura season. Many dishes and drinks incorporate sakura flowers into the food for some delicious concoctions.
Dress for the Season
The easiest thing to do is to choose your clothing wisely. This is a very obvious idea, but sometimes it is overlooked for fashion. For the summertime, there are a few things you can do to fight the heat when choosing clothing. Try loose fabrics that allow for air to come through it. There are even special kinds of clothing available that are specifically designed to do this. You can find them at convenience stores, and most other clothing outlets. There has been an increase in jackets that have electric fans sewn in them as well. For women, there are many kinds of dresses and light fabric sets that can help fight the heat. In the winter, you can purchase heat tech clothing that goes under your clothes. These are perfect for keeping the heat on your body, and it’s all your own natural body heat. The usual jackets and downy pants will keep you warm on the cold days as well. The spring has lots of light clothes that help you transition from the cold to medium temperatures and the same for the fall transition. Some people may put fashion over function, but then that all comes down to personal choice.
Everyday Items
Depending on the season you can use some things that you usually don’t think can help with the weather. During the summertime, you use your umbrella for more than a rainy day and protect yourself from the strong heat of the sun. There are some special umbrellas made specifically for blocking the sun. You can use cold beverages to help cool your hands and body for a small bit as well. During the winter you can use hand warmers to heat the inside of your jacket. They are cheap sources of warmth that can be used for more than just your hands. Using hand fans in the spring and fall during the temperature change is an easy and inexpensive way to keep cool when the weather turns. Jackets can be used for shade when the sun is too strong. If you want to protect your skin you can use sleeves to black the sun as well. You can find other items that can function in different ways if you just look around too.
Keeping Your Apartment Comfortable
Your apartment will also be feeling the seasonal changes too. The heat and cold will penetrate the walls of your apartment and it may be difficult to regulate the temperature to your liking. Wearing layers, or removing layers, of clothes can help make you comfortable. You are in your apartment, so the amount is left up to you. If you find that your bed is too chilly to sleep in, you can use a blow dryer under the sheets to make it toasty before you get in. A floor fan and an open window can cool your room during the summer, and this definitely works during spring and fall. Using icepacks under a pillowcase can give you a soothing cold place to lay your head at night during the hot summer months. Hot baths, if you have a tub, can keep you warm for a long time during the winter, and cool showers can keep the heat at bay during the summertime. You can find other things around your home that can help you fight the seasonal temperatures.
The more you look for simple solutions, the more things you’ll find that can assist you during the seasonal changes. Your own creativity will influence what you can and can’t do to fight the extreme weather. It is usually easier during the fall and springtime, but even they can have their hard days. Try some things out, and you may be surprised at what works well for you.