Japan is a unique country in that all its seasons hit in full force. Its summer months are no exception and our article will look at how to beat the summer heat in Japan.

Japan is an interesting country in that all of its seasons occur in full force. The winters can be very cold and depending on where you live, you may experience large amounts of snowfall and freezing temperatures. The spring months show how nature awakens from its winter sleep with beautiful flowers and ever-popular sakura trees. Fall changes the landscapes into beautiful shades of red, orange, and brown, and brings in cool weather as relief from the summer months. The summer is filled with blue skies, fun festivals, and scorching heat!

Japan’s summer is by no means the worst in the world in terms of heat index or humidity, but most people are shocked by it nonetheless. For many visitors, it is a bigger change than they initially thought and leads some to have a less than stellar time here. If you find yourself in Japan during its summer months, you can do a few things to help mitigate the heat. We will look at 13 different ways you can combat the temperatures and enjoy your time in Japan

1. Cool Tech

One of the best ways to beat the heat is to dress in some cool clothes. Not cool as in fashionable, but clothes designed to allow air through the fabric. Japan has developed an entire line of clothing for this and they can be purchased at reasonable prices. You can find t-shirts, underwear, undergarments and other kinds of clothes. They can be found in any clothing store and even at many convenience stores. You can help yourself a lot by adding these clothes to your usual attire.

2. Cold Drinks

This seems like an obvious choice as there are so many convenience stores around the country. You may not be able to find the same kind of drinks from your home country, but Japan will have their versions of those kinds of drinks. You can find them in the same section of every convenience store. There are special drink packs that give extra vitamins and minerals to help combat the heat. Most of the drinks have English on them so you can easily find the ones that you want to try.

3. Personal Fans

A variety of fans have been made in recent years. You can find small, personal electric fans that will hang on your neck and blow air directly into your face. These are very convenient and don’t get in the way while you enjoy the sights. Some have water bottles attached to them to give you a cool blast of water from time to time.

You can also get an old-fashioned hand fan to wave some cool air on yourself. They can be cheap versions found in convenience stores or ornate, old-fashioned ones that you can buy at souvenir shops.

4. Cool Wipes

These items have become more popular over time and they are helpful when you are traveling around the city. You can purchase these from stalls in train stations as well as convenience stores. The wipes all have a small amount of menthol on them, which when rubbed on the skin, gives a cooling sensation. It is a great way to cool down after walking along the hot streets of the city. They are cheap, available everywhere, and have a lot of sheets in each packet.

5. Shopping

If you are looking for a surefire way to beat the heat, you can go shopping. The malls and department stores keep the AC running the entire day and you can find some nice souvenirs in the process. Even the outdoor shopping streets have fans or overhangs to deal with the sunlight. It is always a good idea to dip into a store to get a short reprieve from the heat.

6. Swimming

There are a few waterparks around Tokyo that you can visit to cool off. Each area has some kind of waterpark you can enjoy, but the best places to visit are the many beaches around Japan. You can find any beach near the edges of the islands.

7. Travel to Different Locations

This is another obvious choice, but you can travel to the northern parts of the main island to get to cooler climates. The Hokkaido area in general has relatively cool summers compared to the rest of Japan. Find some nice towns in Sendai to really enjoy nature and get shade from the trees too.

8. Cool Pillows and Pads

You find these cool pillows at most department stores and they are great for sleeping in the summer heat. They keep your neck cool and keep you from sweating. Look out for large pads that you can lay on to stay cool as well. They are a great way to stay comfortable at night.

9. Ice Towel and Scarf

Ice towels and scarfs are made of special material that holds in cold temperatures for extended amounts of time. They are versatile fabrics and are good to wear under hats or around your neck. Some can hold ice in special pockets. You can find these in convenience stores.

10. Summer Clothes

This is one of the main ways to beat the heat. Dress in light clothing and stay away from dark colors that attract and keep in the heat from the sun. Wear shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and other kinds of loose clothing. You can find a variety of clothing styles at the stores in Japan if you didn’t bring proper attire.

11. Umbrellas

There is an entire line of umbrellas that are meant for blocking the sun while you walk around the city. They come in a variety of designs and colors and can go with any outfit combination. You can use them anywhere outside and they common to see so it won’t be unusual to use one.

12. Instant Ice Packs

As the name suggests, you can use an instant ice pack to cool yourself down. Crack the solution in the bag and mix it. Once mixed, it will stay cold for hours. They are good in emergencies and keep you cool during long sight-seeing tours.

13. Hats

There is a large assortment of hats to choose from and they all do the same thing. They are good at keeping your head and shoulders out of direct sunlight and can help you have a sleek fashion-forward look too.