Summer in Japan can be rough, especially for those who have never experienced a humid Asian summer before. High temperatures combined with frequent rain make it quite unbearable at times and your homes fills up with a lot of problems like mold and insects. Having the right items in your home and in your daily life can decrease the discomfort so you can enjoy the better parts of summer!
For Home
Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a must, especially living on the first floor where all the humidity sinks down to. When it rains a lot, the humid air combined with the heat makes mold a serious issue at home if you don’t take steps to lower the humidity. Not only is a dehumidifier essential to prevent molding, but it can also be used to dry your clothes indoors on a rainy day, so this is an absolute must-have when you’re living in Japan, regardless of the season.
Air Purifier
When you have a lot of mold and dust inside your house, it becomes a long term health hazard. Keeping an air purifier in your home can get rid of dust or mold that might be floating in the air. There are cheap ones available, but most people like to get one that’s combined with either a dehumidifier or a fan in order to save space inside their home.
Standard Fan
Some summer days are unbearably hot and some are still hot but bearable. During days where the heat is bearable, using a fan can help save on your electricity bill if an AC isn’t necessary. There are also fans that have air cooling and air cleaning capabilities.
Mosquito Repellent (Hanger & Medicine)
Mosquitos are a huge problem for those whose blood attracts them. They often end up in your homes and their buzzing and biting can keep you awake all night. There are mosquito repellents that you can hang outside your door, as well as an electric fragrance inside your house. Sometimes, one doesn’t do the job so keeping both around can lower the chances even more.
Cockroach Repellents & Cockroach Spray
Another major pest problem in the summer is cockroaches. They love coming inside your nice cool house, especially if you live on the first or second floor. Although harmless, cockroaches are a pain to deal with. In Japan, there are cockroach repellents that you can buy at the drugstore and keep in dark corners of your home. In addition, keeping a pesticide spray is also convenient in the case that you spot one lurking around inside your house.
Cool-Material Blanket
For those that sleep with a blanket no matter how hot it is, this is your answer. These cool material blankets are made with breathable material that allows heat to pass by. In fact, these blankets are so breathable that sleeping with a summer blanket can actually be even cooler than sleeping without one.
Daily Life
Uniqlo AIRism
Airism is Uniqlo’s summer line of clothing. These clothes are perfect for the summer because of its quick-dry and breathable fabric. They come mainly in the form of underwear, undershirts, and polo shirts for men and a wider variety undergarments for women.
Summer Formal Wear
If you are working in Japan or looking for a job, there might be times when you need to dress up and it may be a good idea to invest in some summer formal wear. Many clothing companies like Aoyama and Uniqlo make formal wear that’s light, breathable, and most importantly, affordable. Some are even made to resist bacteria and stay wrinkle-free.
Deodorant Body Wipes
These wipes are quite unique to Japan and sold at every drugstore in the summer. They are mentholated wipes that act as an antiperspirant as well as a deodorant. After using it, the menthol in these wipes keep you cool even when outside on a hot summer day. Some might not like the feeling of these wipes so try out a small packet before investing in the bigger ones. There are also milder ones to use for your face.
Cold Brew Tea
While tea is a big part of Japanese culture, it’s not enjoyable to drink hot beverages when it’s already hot outside. Luckily, there are cold brew tea bags available. Mugicha is the main tea to drink during the summer but for those that aren’t fans of it, green tea is also sold in cold brew form.
Additional tips
- Keep your AC at “auto mode” (自動). Instead of constantly operating, this sets the AC to only cool the room if the temperature rises higher than the one set. So technically, your AC would be on the entire time, but it only operates when needed, thus saving electricity.
- Stay hydrated with energy drinks like Aquarius and Pokari Sweat. With constantly high humidity, you’ll sweat more than usual and dehydrate quicker. There are convenience stores and vending machines all throughout Japan so always stay hydrated!
- Last but not least, don’t forget to go out and have fun! Many people in Japan look forward to summer because of all the possible outdoor activities. Some of these include: going to the beach, having a BBQ, camping, and hiking.
Walkthrough of Process for Visiting a Japanese Clinic
