Facing a full summer in Japan

For the first time in years, I am facing a full summer in Japan. I am trying not to dread it and trying to stay positive about it. Recently I've been writing about different types of summer festivals - partly to get myself excited about the good things the come with summer. Summer in Japan would be perfect if it weren't for the heat!

It is also the reason that I have been more interested (and writing about) products that help you keep cool in summer this year. If I am truly going to embrace the fun side of Japan's summer, I first need to be armed with items that will help me stay cool. I do not do heat well! In fact, officially I am allergic and I get the rashes to prove it!

Today, I can feel the temperature dial turning up a notch - perfectly in step with the solar term "lesser heat" which began yesterday. The sun has finally returned after a week of grey skies, and with it comes that familiar midsummer heaviness. Already, a small part of me wants to book a flight out of here. But I’ve already had my trip home for the year, so for better or worse, I’ll face summer head‑on!

How do you fare in the heat? Do you have a love / hate relationship with Japanese summer too?