DON’T LISTEN to people when they say Japans summer is too hot to visit! The summertime is filled with awesome adventures like climbing Mount Fuji and going to Kyoto’s famous Gion festival! Why should you have to miss out on these unforgettable moments because of someone else’s ill preparedness? To ensure the best experience, and more importantly, your safety, being ready is always a must!
Table of contents
Useful Items
Below are several useful items that can be found in most stores at a very affordable price, so if you forget something don’t fret!
- Umbrella for rain and sun(Uniqlo’s)
- Handkerchief for face
- cleansing Wipes(Biore Body sheets )
- sunscreen
- water bottle
- sports drink
Japan in Summer
people definitely aren’t wrong when they say Japan can get hot and humid during summer. It’s a long narrow country consisting of 4 major islands that stretches from north to south causing different sections to have different types of weather depending on where you are going.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido (the northern Island of Japan) is rich with beautiful landscapes, nature trails, and wonderful beaches, so visiting during the summer can be the perfect get away from the hassles of life. The average temperature sits at a sweet, balmy 78 degrees Fahrenheit during those refreshing summertime days. With that said, wearing breathable clothing, having a decent amount of water on you, and carrying an umbrella in case of rain will leave you more than ready for your adventures.
Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu
The rest of the major islands are where things begin to heat UP. Temperatures here can range from 80 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity can spike quickly from rainfall. With a much more dense population of people in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, being courteous of how you take care of your hygiene is important too. By the way, If you didn’t know, umbrellas are very commonly used to block out the sun when its beating down so don’t feel silly pulling out that bad boy while the sun is shining.
Proper Hydration
Hydration becomes very important during the summer times not only because of the heat but because the main way you will be getting around in Japan is either from walking or biking so you’ll sweat out a ton of water and electrolytes. This leaves you susceptible to dehydration and even a heat stroke! So, having a good mix of water AND sports style drinks like Gatorade on hand is the best bet to keep you properly hydrated. In Japan they have a drink called Pocari Sweat which I absolutely loved. I found it in almost every vending machine.
Personal Hygiene
The last thing to talk about is personal hygiene. With heat and humidity comes sweat, and with sweat comes some unpleasant smells. I would recommend carrying deodorant in your bag with you, and if you have the space a spare shirt even. Not only will you smell better, but you will be being considerate of others, especially when you are shoulder to shoulder in trains. I would come back SOAKED by the end of each day and I had to fight for my life to get my clothes off.
Whew!
Now that you know how to prepare yourself for Japans heat, What are you waiting for?! Get that ticket booked! Adventure is just around the corner and your life is waiting for YOU to live it!
Till next time, Wander Responsibly