Ten everyday products in Japan for keeping cool in summer

Japan’s summer arrives with its familiar intensity; bright sun, heavy humidity, and that slow, sticky heat there is no escaping. In the last week I looked at nine cooling items commonly found in supermarkets, drugstores, and 100‑yen shops around Saitama that Japanese people use to keep cool. The tenth is more of a specialty item, less readily found, but a life saver for many. Here is a summary of the cooling products I shared:

Many of the items I showcased are convenient day time items that can fit in a bag / handbag. Such as the ¹body sheets which come in different strengths and scents or simple ²cooling towels and / or ³arm covers that can be easily slipped on and off. Items that are slightly bulkier, but convenient all the same, include ⁴cooling mist, ⁵cooling neck wraps, and ⁶parasols.  ⁷Handy fans, are a must have in my opinion. For short distances outside, things like ⁸Ice Neck rings and ⁹cooling gel beads pad can help alleviate heat.  At night, although expensive, cooling products include such things as the ¹⁰Cooling Bed Systems. 

Together, these ten items highlight the everyday ways people in Japan handle the summer heat. Some are simple, some a bit more specialized, but all are part of the seasonal toolkit many rely on. If you’ve tried any of them, or have other cooling ideas, please do share in the comment section.