Winter in Japan has made people more creative about how they keep warm and safe during the cold months. Check out our article for household winter items to have in Japan.

Japanese winter can be rough to those who are not familiar with cold to freezing temperatures. Depending on where you live, there can be mountains of snow or chilly sunny days. The entire island experiences winter with temperatures dipping into the teens. Since winter can be harsh in Japan the residents have created some household items that are especially suited for wintertime. They are used to help fight the chilly weather and keep you in comfort during the cold nights. Some of these items will need to be purchased at specialty or department stores, but most of them can be found in 100-yen shops.

Kotatsu

The Japanese people have created a large number of items to help combat the cold during winter, but one of the best inventions has been the kotatsu. The kotatsu is a table with an electric heater fastened to the bottom of it. You lay a thick comforter over the top of the table, so it drapes over the table covering all of the open areas around it. You can sit underneath the kotatsu and get warm quickly while watching TV or enjoying a snack. Kotatsus come in a variety of sizes so they can fit in any room. They also come in different designs and materials so you can match the décor of your room. They can be expensive depending on size and material, but they are the best way to fight the cold weather for a decent price. Make sure you try to temper your use of them as they can run up your electric bill, and some have overheated from extended use. Using it for a few hours at a time should be fine.

Hand Warmers

Hand warmers may not seem to fit this list as it may not come across as a household item, but they can be an invaluable addition to your cold temperature fighting arsenal. Hand warmers are inexpensive and available at every convenience, department, and 100-yen store. They come in packs of 2 and last for a few hours at a time. Japanese homes are notorious for not being able to regulate temperature for long and heating the entire apartment can be difficult if you have more than one room. Hand warmers can be used in jackets or other parts of clothing to help give your body a heat boost. You can even use them under your blankets to quickly warm up when you need to relax. They are great in emergencies as well and can help when you are stuck on train platforms for long periods. In general, it is a good idea to have a pack of hand warmers on you during the winter.

Heated Carpets

Many Japanese homes will have wood floors, tatami mats, or linoleum. These are meant to be easy to clean and keep the house looking uniform. The bad part about this is that the floors will be cold at almost all times during the winter. If you’ve ever stepped on a cold floor first thing in the morning you know it’s no fun. In recent years the production of heated carpets for Japanese homes has risen. Heated carpets were created to keep your pets warm during the winter, but the products have been enlarged and redesigned to fit households. It can make the trek to the bathroom more tolerable, and you could even choose to lay on the heated carpet for short periods like a kotatsu. You should never leave a heated carpet on while you sleep, and they should only be run for a few hours at a time. This is another product that could increase your electricity bills if you aren’t careful, so you should use it sparingly.

Heat Tech

Heat tech has become a standard line of clothing during winter and it is an inexpensive solution to the biting cold. Heat tech shirts and pants will fit under your normal clothing. They can help you stay comfortable in your home and help keep heating costs down by not using electric heaters. Heat tech clothing can be used with your blankets as well so try to stock up when you can.

Heated Blankets

Heated blankets have become more popular in Japan over time. They have become less expensive and they have adapted to Japanese homes and apartment designs. They are great for when you want to warm up quickly or keep your bed warm by placing it under your comforter. Heated blankets can help reduce the use of electric space heaters or kerosene burners. Heated blankets should not be used for long amounts of time and should not be left on while sleeping. Heated blankets come in a variety sizes from ones that will cover an entire couch or ones that are perfect keeping your legs toasty. You can choose the one that suits your needs best.

These are some useful items that can help you combat the cold during winter. There are other items that you may find during your search for the ones listed in this article. All are designed to keep you warm and fit your lifestyle. We hope these ideas will help you keep warm and stay comfortable during the winter months.