Why black arm covers are so popular in Japan

When I was a child, we holidayed in Spain annually in the summer. If you looked in our suitcases at that time, you would not find one item of black clothing or accessories. Even our sandals were bright colors. I don't think they even sold black sandals or caps at that time. Back then, in the 1980s, the belief was that black attracted the sun, so you avoided it at all costs when holidaying in a hot country.

So when I moved to Japan, I was surprised to see black everywhere in summer - especially black arm covers. Women wore (still wear) them while cycling, shopping, walking to the station, even just popping out to hang laundry. After years of avoiding black in the heat, it felt completely opposite to what I grew up with. But here, black isn’t a color to avoid - it’s the most practical choice for staying cool and protected in the strongest sun. And here's why:

1. Black blocks UV light better than light colors.
   This is the biggest reason. Black absorbs UV rays instead of letting them pass through the fabric, which means far less UV reaches the skin. Lighter colors reflect visible light, but they allow more UV to penetrate. So even though black gets warmer in direct sun, it protects the skin more effectively.
2. Cooling fabrics solve the “black gets hot” problem.
3. Black looks clean, simple, and matches everything.
4. They hide sweat better.
5. Cultural preference for UV protection over temperature.

In Japan, avoiding sun exposure is often more important than avoiding heat. Although black absorbs heat, it’s the most popular color because it blocks UV rays more effectively, stays looking neat, and pairs well with cool‑touch fabrics designed to keep the skin comfortable.