I always remember my summer days in Japan as they are the most humid and sweat-inducing days of my life, but you can still enjoy the season!
Summer in Japan is a time of lush green fields, beautiful sunny days, and clear blue skies. It’s also a time of torrential rain, unbearable humidity, and cloudy grey misery, so you take the bad with the good, I suppose!
In any case, here are a few things you can do to alleviate the pain and make the most of your Japanese summer days!
Early mornings & late nights
I found that the humidity is at its lowest in the early hours of the morning and the late hours of the night.
A leisurely walk at 5 am is just what the doctor ordered, and you can even catch beautiful sunrises like this!
The last cool breeze can be felt before it all goes to a scorching hell in the late morning all throughout the afternoon.
However, once the sun goes down around 7-8 pm, things get cooler again, and it becomes bearable to go for another stroll!
Cool off with a summer drink!
Vending machines are your best friend during Japan’s summertime; in fact, they’re often a lifeline to counter the exhausting temperatures when you’re stuck outside for a time.
The cool thing about vending machines in Japan is that you’ll often find some niche drinks that cannot be bought at convenience stores or supermarkets.
For instance, this “Sweet Kiss” drink tastes a whole lot like Mountain Dew, though not quite as rich in flavor and sweetness.
Indeed, sometimes I feel these drinks are catered to elderly consumers, but I suppose it’s healthier for all of us to have less sugar in our diets!
Hang out near the water!
Another surefire way to avoid the… surefire, is to hang out by the water!
There is a cool breeze and a lower humidity that can be felt when you’re near a body of water such as a river or lake.
I recommend the Uji River in Kyoto for scenic views, cooler temperatures, and just some nice fresh air as you enjoy a refreshing beverage with a view.
Explore the new Coolish flavors
Coolish is Japan’s iconic drinkable ice cream pouches available at all convenience stores and supermarkets.
Summer is the best time to enjoy their quick hits of cool creamy ice cream, particularly because it reaches the optimal texture much faster.
You see, Coolish typically requires a few minutes after it’s out of the freezer to melt a little before it’s soft enough to squeeze through the pouch, but this process takes no time at all in Japan’s deadly summer!
Also, you can explore the new summer flavors such as this refreshing “Blue Sky Soda Float” flavor, an appropriate name that sends you floating into the blue sky!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!