02/07/2025
【How Japanese People Spend Summer🥵】
Japanese summers can be super hot and humid, but people have come up with all kinds of ways to stay cool and enjoy the season.
1. Traditional Houses & Architecture
In traditional Japanese homes, the eaves are designed to be deep, which blocks the harsh sunlight from entering the rooms. This keeps the indoor temperature cooler. People also hang sudare (bamboo or reed screens) from the eaves. These screens provide shade but still let the air flow, which is perfect for keeping things cool while allowing a breeze to come through.
2. Sprinkling Water (Uchimizu)💧💦
Another trick is uchimizu—sprinkling water on the streets or garden. This not only helps keep the dust down, but it also cools the air through evaporation, giving a refreshing feeling. It’s a simple, but effective way to beat the heat.
3. Clothing Choices👚👕
In summer, Japanese people choose lightweight, breathable clothing like h**p and cotton to stay comfortable. Yukata (a casual kimono) is popular at summer festivals or fireworks displays, and young people especially love wearing them for these occasions.
4. Cool Gadgets & Accessories👓👒
To stay even cooler, many people use higasa (sun umbrellas), which are widely used in Japan during the summer. Not only do they provide shade, but they also add a bit of style to the outfit. In addition, small cooling gadgets like neck fans or portable hand fans are super popular to carry around and help stay cool while walking outside.
5. Wind Chimes (Furin)🌿
Another fun way to enjoy summer in Japan is by listening to furin—traditional wind chimes. These were originally believed to ward off evil spirits, but over time, they’ve become a symbol of summer. The sound of a wind chime swaying in the breeze is said to bring a sense of coolness, even though it doesn’t actually lower the temperature. It’s a small thing, but it’s part of what makes summer in Japan feel unique.
6. Summer Foods🥢
Japanese summer foods also help keep things cool. For example, tokoroten, made from a type of seaweed called tengusa, is a refreshing, jelly-like dish that’s easy to eat and cools you down. The clear, noodle-like texture makes it look refreshing, and it’s light on the stomach. People also enjoy dishes with cooling ingredients like lemon or vinegar to stimulate the appetite and make eating in the heat more enjoyable.
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/202108/202108_01_en.html
#東京シティアイ
