How to survive the summer in Japan?

Koto ward fireworks in 2012

Summer in Japan is extremely hot and humid. We have a rainy season, Tsuyu, early summer, mid-June and lasts about a month.
This of course has an influence on Japanese summer, making it particularly wet. For Western foreigners, where instead the summers are hot and dry, Japanese summer is a real pain.

Summer in Japan can be divided into three phases:

• the rainy season called Tsuyu, from early June to mid-July, which obviously proves rainy;
• a very hot and very wet period in July and August, sometimes difficult to bear for some;
• then a very pleasant summer until September when the heat is still present but the humidity gradually decreases.

However, if you know some tricks that Japanese use to support this summer, you can enjoy some cultural specificities while improving your comfort.

yukata
Yukata is an informal kimono for summer. It is used for relaxation or sleep. It is made of lightweight cotton.
Kimono in general is overpriced, as was the yukata. However, in recent years, manufacturers have tried that kimono become more popular with some success to date. The yukata is now very affordable and it is designed to be easy to wear. So every summer, more and more people wear yukata in the street, especially during the holidays. It is now "trendy" among young people wearing yukata last fashionable during the summer.

Geta and Zori
Geta are Japanese style wooden clogs, raised by two wooden bases under the sole. The Zori are Japanese sandals. Both are to be accompanied by a kimono. Of course, it is possible to wear them without kimono, but do not wear kimono without them!

Uchiha and Sensu
A uchiwa is a paper fan, round, with a bamboo handle. It is usually used to ventilate oneself or freshen up a fire. Sensu, it is a fan in fold paper, resting on a bamboo structure. It is usually decorated with a stylish image or calligraphic characters.

Furin
The furin is a small bell made ​​of metal, porcelain or bamboo, and animated by the wind.
They are often placed under the eaves of houses, where they can catch the summer wind. The sound of furin has a cooling effect.

Sudare 
The Sudare are bamboo curtains. They are designed to keep you cool by providing shade and letting the wind through.

Aburatorigami
It is a small handkerchief designed to absorb impurities and facial sweating. It is an essential accessory Japanese. Ask your Japanese friend, she surely in his toiletry bag!
Some brands have a pretty decorative pattern. They are made ​​of a special Japanese paper used in the manufacturing process of gold leaf.

Asewaki-pat
This is a patch for absorbing perspiration underarm

Ashi-sokai-sheet
This is a patch to refresh your feet and legs. We use it when we feel tired and our tired legs. This really works.

Drink dispensers
Always remember to keep a 100 Yen coin in his pocket (or even 150 Yen). You will need it, you pay for a bottle of green tea, Pocari Sweat or other vitamin drink.

The air conditioning
It is necessary for survival in the summer in Japan, and not least, the air conditioning: it apparently consumes a lot of electricity, but all the buildings have it
.
Pocari Sweat
The Pocari Sweat is a very useful drink to replenish electrolytes that are lost through sweating.

Pharmacies in Japan

Pharmacies in Japan are a place where you can find lots of strange things. Know that Japanese pharmacies are not like ours. They are large, occupying a large area and offer many skin care product, excluding prescription free service.

Brief visit Japanese pharmacies if you want surprises!