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May 31, 2017

Wet and Rainy: What now?

Wet and Rainy: What now? photoWet and Rainy: What now? photoRainy season. This sounds like a big chunk of time where it just rains constantly for a few weeks on end. In my home town, if I heard rainy season, I’d expect three days or more of thick fat raindrops and the tennis courts at the high school to be the new swimming pools. Luckily in Japan, rainy season is not monsoon season. Rainy season just means the few weeks at the beginning of summer when heavy rains fall on most days in the afternoon. From my seven years living here, rainy season has never been that big of a thing for me. However i really don’t mind getting a bit wet. I’m not the wicked witch of the west, nor am I made of sugar, so i won’t likely melt. But if you are one of these then by all means avoid the month of June here (or just buy a very nice quality poncho). If you aren’t likely to melt, then don’t run away. This is the best time to enjoy the outdoors. It’s warm and hiking is great, not too hot. Hot springs can more pleasurable with cooling drops of rain falling on your face in the outdoor pools. The lush vegetation leads to almost mystical fogs at many of the mountain shrines.

If you are new to Japan, or coming over for a visit, here are a few good things to keep on hand during this wettest of months.

 Number 1. An Umbrella. Wet and Rainy: What now? photoThere are hundreds of designs that you will find all over Japan. You can purchase umbrellas from specialty stores, or just the nearest convenience stores. If you are looking for cheap, almost disposable, than check out drug stores and 100 yen shops. Often you will find that standard umbrellas are clear, so you can bike at the same time as see. But unless you have the dexterity and luck of the guy I saw riding down the bumpy narrow side of the road with an umbrella and lighter in one hand, his cell phone in his other and attempting to light the cigarette in his mouth with perfect grace, then I wouldn’t recommend it and you will likely get stopped by your local helpful police officer. However, as nice as a one dollar umbrella is on the pocketbook, if you want something that lasts longer, I highly recommend investing in something that can withstand a small gust or two. Mine has a beautiful design that appears only when wet. Also, as a side note, if you have children and they always seem to come home with a broken umbrella, we’ve found that the umbrellas with multiple ribs hold stronger against the mercy of children’s hands. 

 Number 2. Ziplock bags. Any bag type thing that you can quickly put your electronics into that will then be waterproof. I’ve seen extremely cute purses that have a side pocket that is waterproof and touchscreen capable at Its’demo, a store often located inside or near many major train stations. Daiso also sells plastic bags with double closer for your phone to protect against water. Any time I'm suspicious it might rain while I'm out for my run, I'll carry my phone in this bag. Same thing goes for my camera, put it in a ziplock. This also makes the camera still somewhat functional, but as my husband says bimbokusai(like a poor person) or as my brother would say ghetto rigged. I just think it's ingenuitive, and my camera is protected. 

 Number 3. A poncho. Like the umbrella, ponchos come in a large variety from the dollar store one size fits the average Japanese person, to ponchos specific for biking with a mamachari (old lady bike). You can find them in many stores, but I’ve found that hardware stores seem to have the best quality with sizes going up to a 5L in most stores. Cainz home, Sekichu, Joyful Honda are a few of the store names around here. Aeon also has a nice section where you can get all your rainy season gear. You can also look at Donkihote for a variety as well. And my favourite, Daiso, has ponchos for just about everything too. This includes just for the randoseru(the backpack all elementary students wear).

 Number 4. Rain shoes. These can be just any pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Perhaps they are waterproof, or dry out quickly. Maybe they are just a pair of flip flops that you trade your real shoes out for while you are living through the random cloudburst. Whatever you choose to use, its best to have a pair designated as your wet shoes, and then another pair of shoes just in case your good ones happen to get wet too. My prefered pair, Wet and Rainy: What now? photocrocs. They are comfortable even when wet, non-slippery, and also useful up in the mountains wading around in streams with my children. Japan also has some seriously cute shoes for ladies(or men who like that style) with small feet. I am unfortunately not that lucky and barely fit the largest of the crocs for ladies. But again, Daiso and all its cheap glory has some fairly nice knock off crocs that are great if you don’t care about style. Same goes for bulky rainboots. 

 

Aside from your stuff getting wet, rainy season is great fun. Take it in stride like a little kid and go play in some puddles. Don’t be afraid to get wet and you might get to see some really awesome storms, and lush vegetation that follows. Plus maybe a rainbow or two.


edthethe

edthethe

American step mom with beautiful Brazilian babies. Raising them in Japan. I'm a crafter too


1 Comment

  • DaveJpn

    on Jun 6

    Good list. I'd add a hand towel. I suppose a lot of people carry these anyway, but if you don't, it's good to have one for the rainy season. I'd also pack a spare pair of socks! This goes back to your point of having rain shoes, which I don't (although I should). A spare pair socks then comes in handy for people like me.