Surviving the Summers in Japan
- April Dykes
- 9 時間前
- 読了時間: 9分
August. The month of Obon, fireworks festivals, and the continuation of festivals, but also the hottest month of the year. Whether you live here or are visiting, August is undeniably hot and humid. While it can be uncomfortable at times, there are many ways to beat the heat and enjoy all that summer has to offer. In this blog, I will hopefully help you find a new way to stay cool and safe in the summer months.
Heat stroke or heat exhaustion?
If you’re like me, you may not be familiar with what constitutes heat exhaustion or a heat stroke. So, let’s learn how they differ and what warning signs to watch for. Before addressing either, let’s focus on a common factor between them: dehydration. Dehydration can happen because of excessive heat, sweating, and forgetting to drink water, but it can also result from vomiting or diarrhea. When you’re dehydrated, you’re more susceptible to heat exhaustion, which could turn into a heat stroke.
“Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats but can still control its temperature. It is usually caused by activity in hot weather or dehydration. Heatstroke happens when the body overheats to the point it can no longer cool itself. This causes the body’s temperature to rise to dangerous levels, which can harm organs and be life-threatening” (Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network).
Heat exhaustion symptoms:
heavy sweating with paler, cool, and damp skin
dizziness
fainting
weakness
headaches
nausea
muscle cramps
rapid breathing
rapid heartbeat
heat rash - red, itchy skin
Heatstroke symptoms
a very high body temperature - over 40°C
hot, dry, red skin with no sweating
confusion
unusual behaviour
slurred speech
trouble walking
seizures
fainting or loss of consciousness
extreme thirst
swollen tongue
If you’re unsure whether to call an ambulance, you can call the non-emergency medical consultation hotline at #7119. “#7119 is a service that allows residents to receive advice over the phone from doctors, nurses, and paramedics when they are unsure whether they should call an ambulance or go to the hospital immediately in the event of a sudden illness or injury” (Fire and Disaster Management Agency). Check out the “#7119 Implementation Area” section on the official Fire and Disaster Management Agency’s website to find out if your prefecture is included on the list.
How to respond Surviving the Summers in Japan
Heat exhaustion
If you or someone in your area is experiencing any of the listed symptoms, getting out of the heat is the first priority. Find a shaded area if possible, get something to drink, and try to cool your body down. The following tips come from the Canadian Red Cross
Get the person out of the heat and into some shade or a cool place, if you can.
Loosen up any tight clothes and take off any heavy gear.
Splash cool water on their clothes, or dampen towels and place them on their chest. Use a fan for extra cooling, but don't dry their skin.
Place ice or cold packs under their armpits and on their chest.
If they're awake and able to drink, let them sip a cool drink with electrolytes, such as sports drinks, coconut water, juice, or even milk. If none of that's around, just give them some water.
Make sure they take it easy and avoid any more heat activities for the rest of the day.
Heat Stroke
If you think someone is having a heat stroke, call 911 or your local emergency number, or ask someone else to call them and get an AED. While you are on the call, provide care with these steps:
Move the person to a cooler environment.
Loosen any tight clothing and remove any padded clothing or equipment.
Quickly lower the person's core temperature with as many of these methods as possible (in order of preference):
Immerse the person's forearms and hands in cool water.
Pour cool water onto the person's clothing and/or towels, and place them on the person's chest. Fan the person to increase evaporation. Do not dry the person's skin.
Apply ice or cold packs to the person's armpits and chest.
Keep using the quick-cooling methods mentioned earlier until the person's condition improves or emergency personnel arrive.
If the person is responsive and able to swallow, have them slowly sip a cool electrolyte-replacement beverage (e.g., a commercial sports drink, coconut water, fruit juice, or milk). If a drink with electrolytes is not available, give the person water.
A general rule to follow during the summer is paying attention to heat advisories. A good source for this is the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). It provides a daily list of prefectures with heat advisories as well as a breakdown of how to understand the heat index.
Staying hydrated
Regardless of the season, everyone should be drinking 2 to 4 liters of water daily. That amount should increase when you’re exercising or in a hot area. While drinking water is always a great way to stay hydrated, let’s not forget about infused water and sports drinks. While Pocari and Aquarius are two of the most well-known sports drinks, there are plenty of others such as Green Dakara, BODYMAINTÉ, and KIRIN World Kitchen Salty Lychee Drink. Each drink offers its own unique flavors and benefits for the body and can be found at any supermarket, drugstore, or convenience store.
Aquarius
A crisp, smooth finish. Easy to drink in large gulps even during active moments, quickly replenishing the fluids and minerals your body needs. Formulated with ingredients to support an active body. Contains minerals lost through sweat, as well as amino acids and citric acid—nutrients essential for an active body. It provides support for all kinds of physical activities.
Pocari
This health drink is designed to smoothly replenish fluids and ions (electrolytes) lost through sweating. Because it is an electrolyte solution containing components similar to body fluids at appropriate concentrations, it is quickly absorbed into the body. Therefore, it is suitable for hydrating a thirsty body in various situations, such as during sports or work, after drinking alcohol, or before and after bathing or going to bed.
Green Dakara
For a refreshing sweat in your daily life! Made with seven body-friendly ingredients, it features a fresh, fruity flavor and a crisp, easy-to-drink taste. A hydrating beverage that feels wonderfully refreshing as it replenishes your body.
BODYMAINTÉ
BODYMAINTÉ protects you from daily health risks with "Lactobacillus B240" + "Electrolytes". A carefully crafted electrolyte balance that closely resembles the composition of body fluids. Approximately 60% of our bodies are made up of water called "body fluids," which play various roles in maintaining health. Body fluids contain electrolytes such as sodium, so in order to maintain the body's proper hydration level, it is important to replenish not only water but also electrolytes.
KIRIN World Kitchen Salty Lychee Drink
The delicate sweetness and rich aroma of lychee, combined with the mild flavor of Okinawan sea salt, make for a delicious and refreshing way to replenish electrolytes and fluids. A tasty way to combat heatstroke when you're thirsty!
世界のKitchenから also provides the recipe for hydrating summer drinks using their salty lychee drink, which can be found on their website here.
While sports drinks are a great way to avoid dehydration and heatstroke, they shouldn’t be consumed in excess as they contain sodium. When you’re sweating and losing electrolytes and sodium, it is important to replenish them. However, consuming sports drinks when sedentary could be counterproductive.
If you’re worried about consuming too much sodium, infused waters are a great way to stay hydrated. Infused water is plain water that has been enhanced with fruit, herbs, or spices for hydration and health benefits. Common infused waters are mint, cucumber, and lemon, but there are thousands of recipes available online. If you need a few ideas and have no idea where to start, check out these recipes from Taste of Home, FRECIOUS, Emory Healthcare, or KIT.
Sweet treats to help beat the heat
While global warming has definitely changed the way we experience summers today, the heat of summers is something that has always been a part of the season. Japan is an island nation that always has and always will have hot and humid summers. From the Edo period to modern times, Japan has adapted and created innovative ways to combat the heat. While you can experience these foods and drinks at restaurants, they can also be made at home.
Kakigori
This sweet treat is the most recognizable of today’s selection: the famous shaved ice. Dating back to the middle of the Heian period, this refreshing dessert can be easily made at home, topped with your favorite ingredients, or bought at a specialty shop for ¥1,000 and up. “Traditionally, Japanese shaved ice is made from a block of pure ice where the restaurant or tea house clerk would literally chip or shave bits of ice from this block until it created a mound inside a deep bowl. They would then top it off with fruit syrups or condensed milk, fresh fruit, adzuki bean paste, and other tasty add-ons” (byFood, Hotta, 2025).
Mizu yokan
While there are several types of yokan, mizu yokan is most popular in the summer months because of its high water content. While typically made from three simple ingredients: water, agar, and red bean paste, when served chilled, this dessert can help the body stay cool while enjoying its simplicity.
Umeboshi
Ume, Japanese plums, have been a part of Japanese cuisine for centuries, with uses ranging from hydration to preservation. The form most people are familiar with is pickled ume, or umeboshi. Umeboshi is naturally high in sodium, which is great for hydration, and it helps to stimulate hunger that can often lessen due to the summer heat.
The lowdown on the cooldown
Now that we’ve covered what you can put in your body to stay cool, let’s cover what you can put on it to help you cool down further. From cool tech clothing to bedding, many products help wick away moisture and create a cooling effect. Whether you need something for the go, or something to make a summer night more comfortable, you’re sure to find something useful.
Products for the skin
No one wants to sweat, but alas, it is a common result of the heat and humidity that is summer. While sweat is common, it isn’t without ways to combat it and the unpleasant odor that can accompany it. Countless body wipes, deodorant wipes, deodorants, and cooling sprays are on the market today. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are a few questions to get you started.*
*Please read through all ingredients before purchasing anything if you have sensitive skin or any allergies.
Do you have sensitive skin or any allergies?
Pigeon Gokigen-cool Hin-yari Zenshin Sheet
Curel Skincare Sheet
Biore U Full Body Clean Sheet
Muji Sensitive Skin Body Sheet
Do you like scented products?
Biore Cooling Sheet
Gatsby Ice-Type Deodorant Body Wipes
Do you want to spray on the go?
Ice-Non Shirt Mist
Muji Cool Body Mist
Cooling spray for clothes
Do you need a body wipe that doubles as a deodorant?
Deo Carat
Deoco
AG Deo 24 Clear Shower Sheet
Fabrics
Moisture-wicking is key for comfortable clothes during the summer. In addition to natural fabrics like linen and bamboo, man-made fabrics like Uniqlo’s Airism and GU’s Dry (Style Dry) are known for their moisture-wicking and comfort during the humid summer months. In addition to what you can wear to keep cool, bedding is another way to stay cool and sleep well.
From generic cooling bedding that you can find at your local Daiso or Seria to brand-specific cool bedding like Nitori’s N-Cool and Muji’s Cool Touch Bedding Collection, there is a product for every price point. Unlike dollar stores in other countries, Japan’s dollar stores genuinely have some great products. So, if you’re skeptical about the magic of cool bedding, you can always test out something from Daiso or Seria before purchasing something more expensive.
Devices
My summer go-tos are hands down a parasol that can double as an umbrella in the event of an unexpected downpour and a handheld fan. If you’d rather not hold an umbrella and a fan, you have options. If the parasol/fan combo is your preferred method but you need a free hand, fan holders connect to the umbrella shaft. If you prefer completely hands-free, reusable cooling neck rings and cooling towels only need water to keep you cool.
If you know you won’t have time to keep wetting a towel, brands like Biore offer disposable ones with a cooling temperature of -3°. The latest cooling summer tech I've most often seen worn by people with outdoor jobs is battery-powered fan vests and jackets. This vest looks like a regular item of clothing, but it has a built-in fan that somewhat inflates and keeps your body cool and dry. The price has definitely decreased since they hit the market a few years ago. So, if you’re interested in trying one out, there’s no time like the present.
Whether you’re reading this in the dead of summer or in preparation for your summer trip to Japan, I hope you find something useful to help you stay hydrated, cool, and comfortable.
Sources:
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Surviving the Summers in Japan
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