Stifling heat and excessive humidity — Japan’s summer can be relentless, pushing the mercury well beyond 40°C. Each day, the wailing sirens of paramedics can be heard frequently, racing to attend to heat collapse cases. So, how do you keep cool without breaking the bank during a Japanese summer? Here are some handy, affordable tips!

1. Ice Pillow: A Cool Night’s Sleep

Relocating to Kyoto presented first-hand experience of Japan’s intense heat. My saving grace — an ice pillow from a 100 Yen shop. An ingenious version of an ice pack, these pillows are designed for comfort and extended cooling. Japan offers a variety, including adhesive packs for fevers, aches, and keeping clothes cool. While basic versions are available at 100 yen shops, high-end options — complete with insulated cases — are found at department and drug stores.

2. Handkerchiefs or Towels: Wipe Away the Heat

Summer in Japan can feel like a sauna. A handkerchief, mini towel, or even some tissues (available as free samples at many places) can serve as your sweat-absorbing allies. Carry one to keep your forehead and neck sweat-free, you’ll be glad you did.

3. Open Windows: Natural Ventilation

Running an air conditioner (A/C) in Japan isn’t budget-friendly. Therefore, letting in some slightly cooler air in the morning and evening and ventilating the hot air out by keeping windows open is a sensible move. Don’t want bugs intruding? Don’t worry, most apartments are equipped with protective screens or you can snag some from the 100 Yen shop.

4. Run a Fan (or Two!): Effective Cooling

Lessons from living in Japan: A flat’s A/C can seriously rack up your electricity bill, all thanks to the lack of central A/C systems. But, worry not, affordable fans are available at department stores and online platforms. Go on, get one (or maybe three), and keep the A/C usage to a minimum!

5. Hydration is Key

With Japan’s potential for easy hydration access — convenience stores, vending machines — staying hydrated should be your top priority. Be it green tea, water, sports drinks, or offbeat choices like seasonal ramune flavors or Pepsi Japan’s weirdly unique flavors, you have an endless array of options. Carry a refillable bottle and stay refreshed.

In the summer, I  tend to drink green tea for breakfast, and then I switch to 麦茶 ( “mugicha” /roasted barley tea).  Mugicha is considered a summer drink and I find it to be more hydrating at times than water. Children in Japan tend to love drinking this stuff throughout the day as well.

5. Stay hydrated!

Whether it is green tea, water, sports drinks or any other drink, you have absolutely no excuse to not stay hydrated. Japan is extremely convenient in every way possible to stay hydrated, from convenience stores to vending machines on every street corner (even in the middle nowhere).

6. Reflect the Sun: Shield Your Home

Japan’s apartment walls can make you feel like you’re in an oven during summer. An efficient route to combating this is using UV or windbreaker curtains to keep out the intense heat.

7. Embrace Free Air Condition

Why stay confined with your A/C when you could enjoy conditional air while someone else foots the bill? Malls, cafes, movie theaters — stay cool affordably from 12 noon to around 16:00 at these places. If you have time, consider an afternoon nap as well.

8. Embrace Layering with Uniqlo’s AIRism

Counterintuitive, I know, but layering in the summer can surprisingly work, provided you choose the right layers. Uniqlo’s AIRism line, developed with technologically advanced fabric fibres, provides the perfect fit and comfort for all seasons. Excessive sweat and body odour are curbed, resulting in an all-day fresh feel.

Coping with a Japanese summer can be challenging, but with these tips, you’ll stay cool and comfortable — while managing your budget!

Coping with a Japanese summer can be challenging, but with these tips, you’ll stay cool and comfortable — while managing your budget!