Japanese Summer Is Hot: What Foreign Visitors Should Know

Hello, I’m Hirossy.

If you visit Japan in summer, you may be a little surprised.

“Is Japanese summer really this hot?”
“The air feels heavy…”

Many foreign visitors may feel this way.

Japanese summer is not only hot.
It is also very humid.

I am an ordinary Japanese dad, and when I go outside with my children in summer, I always care about hats and water.
In recent years, I feel Japanese summer has become hotter and harder.

In this article, I will talk about Japanese summer heat in a simple and friendly way.

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Conclusion: In Japanese summer, you should be careful about both heat and humidity

Japanese summer can be very hot.

Of course, it depends on the area and the year.
But in some places, the temperature can go close to 40°C.

Also, Japanese summer is very humid.
So your body may feel more tired than you expect.

In some parts of America, summer heat can feel dry.
But Japanese summer often feels wet and sticky.

So when you travel in Japan in summer, it is important to:

• drink water often
• wear a hat
• avoid walking outside for too long
• rest in cool places

Japanese summer has many fun events.
But taking care of your body is the most important thing.

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Why does Japanese summer feel so hard?

One big reason is humidity.

When the temperature is high, you may feel better in the shade or when there is wind.
But when humidity is high, sweat does not dry easily.

So your body cannot cool down well.

You may feel heavy.
You may sweat a lot after walking only a short time.

Some foreign visitors may think:

“I knew Japan was hot, but I did not expect this humidity.”

Even for Japanese people, summer is hard.

I also sometimes walk outside in summer and think,
“Today’s heat is really dangerous.”

In recent years, I feel the temperature is getting higher every year.
I also see more news about people getting heatstroke.

Heatstroke means your body becomes sick because of the heat.

You may feel dizzy.
You may have a headache.
You may feel sick or very tired.

In serious cases, heatstroke can be dangerous.

So in Japanese summer, if you feel bad, please rest early.

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Traveling in Japan in summer can make you tired

When you travel in Japan, you may use trains and walk a lot.

In cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you may walk outside for a long time.
You may want to visit many sightseeing spots.

I understand that feeling.

But in Japanese summer, even a short walk can be tiring.

For example, if a map says “10 minutes on foot,” it may feel much longer in summer.
It is especially hard on sunny days or when there is no wind.

Many roads in Japanese cities are made of asphalt.
The heat from the ground can make it feel even hotter.

So it is better not to make your travel plan too busy.

You can visit outdoor places in the morning.
Then in the afternoon, you can rest in a cafe, shopping mall, museum, or other cool places.

That can make your trip more comfortable.

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From a Japanese dad’s point of view: I am careful when I go outside with my children

I sometimes go outside with my children in summer.

At that time, I always care about hats and water.

Children often focus on playing.
Sometimes they do not say, “I’m thirsty.”

So I try to say:

“Let’s drink some water.”
“Let’s take a short rest.”
“Please wear your hat.”

Summer heat is hard for adults.
So it can be even harder for children.

If you travel in Japan with your family, I think it is important to follow your children’s pace.

Visiting many places is nice.
But staying healthy and enjoying the trip is more important.

This is the same for me as a Japanese person.

I also sometimes think,
“We came all this way, so I want to see everything.”

But in summer, it is better not to push yourself too much.

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Convenience stores and vending machines are very useful

One helpful thing in Japanese summer is convenience stores and vending machines.

In Japan, there are many convenience stores in towns and cities.

You can buy water, cold tea, sports drinks, ice cream, and other cold items.

There are also many vending machines in Japan.

You can find them near stations, on streets, and near sightseeing spots.

Of course, you may not always find one immediately.
But in many city areas, it is easy to buy drinks.

When traveling in summer, it is better to buy a drink before you become very thirsty.

Many people drink water or tea.
If you sweat a lot, some people also drink sports drinks.

Everyone’s body is different, so please choose what is good for you.

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Trains and shops may feel very cool

Japanese summer is very hot outside.
But inside buildings, the air conditioning is often strong.

Convenience stores, trains, shopping malls, and restaurants are often much cooler than outside.

This is very helpful.

But for some people, it may feel a little cold.

If you enter a cool place after sweating a lot, your body may feel cold.

So it can be useful to carry a small towel or a light jacket.

A towel is good for wiping sweat.
A light jacket can help if the air conditioning feels too cold.

Of course, this is not the same everywhere in Japan.
The strength of air conditioning depends on the place.

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Summer festivals and fireworks are fun, but please be careful

Japan has many summer festivals and fireworks events.

You may see people wearing yukata.
You may enjoy food stalls.
You may see beautiful fireworks in the night sky.

For foreign visitors, these can be very special Japanese summer experiences.

But summer festivals and fireworks events can be crowded.

Even at night, it can still be hot.
On humid days, you may sweat a lot even after sunset.

In crowded places, your body may get tired more quickly than you expect.

So it is good to bring a drink, take breaks, and avoid standing for too long.

Japanese summer events are fun.
But you do not need to suffer from the heat to enjoy them.

Please enjoy them while taking care of your body.

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Friendly advice for foreign travelers

Here are some simple tips for traveling in Japan in summer.

Drink water often

Do not wait until you feel very thirsty.

It is better to drink little by little.
If you walk outside, carrying a drink is a good idea.

Wear a hat or use a sun umbrella

In Japan, many people wear hats in summer.
Some people also use sun umbrellas.

Sun umbrellas are not only for women.
These days, some men also use them.

Avoiding strong sunlight can make your body feel better.

Do not make your daytime plan too busy

Summer daytime can be very hot.

It may be better to visit outdoor places in the morning or evening.
During the afternoon, you can rest in cool places.

A relaxed travel plan is safer and more comfortable.

If you feel sick, rest soon

If you feel dizzy, have a headache, feel very tired, or feel sick, please do not push yourself.

Go to a cool place.
Drink something.
Take a rest.

In Japan, you may find places to rest in stations or shopping areas.
Cafes and convenience stores can also help.

Think about air conditioning too

Outside is hot, but trains and shops can be cool.

A towel or a light jacket can be useful.

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Summary: Japanese summer is hard, but you can still enjoy it

Japanese summer is really hot.

It is not only the temperature.
The humidity also makes it feel harder.

For foreign visitors, Japanese summer may feel more tiring than expected.
Even for me, as a Japanese person, summer days can be hard.

Heatstroke is something we should be careful about.

Wearing a hat, drinking water, resting often, and not pushing yourself too much are very important.

But Japanese summer also has many good things.

Summer festivals, fireworks, cold drinks, ice cream, and the feeling of summer in Japan can become nice memories.

I hope you can enjoy Japanese summer in a safe and comfortable way.

Thank you for reading.

Hirossy