As the title says, I grew up in Southeast Asia where the weather is hot and humid year round so I have zero experience living in winter anywhere. I would love to get some tips or life hacks so that I don’t go freezing or end up with sky high gas bills.
よろしくお願いします！
19 comments
Don’t be afraid of buying warm clothes. Where in Japan are you? Winter is very different in Kagoshima and Sapporo
Buy some affordable warm clothes at Uniqlo. I see that you will be in Fukuoka so it won’t get ridiculously cold, even if they are estimating a colder than usual winter this year
A **neck-warmer**, a good **hat with ear flaps**, and a **pair gloves** will go a long way towards keeping you warm, and you can just toss them in your bag if you get too warm. Most of the time, you just need to cover up exposed skin and keep the wind and wet off of you, instead of bulking up with lots of layers.
Up here in Sapporo, my best investment against cold nights has been a 5000-yen **electric heating pad** that goes over my mattress but under my sheets. It uses very little electricity, and it keeps me warm without the dampness that can come from throwing on lots of blankets.
The final thing is heat management. When you start warming up, such as by walking, open your zipper or take off a layer so that you don’t start sweating. When you start feeling cold, add a layer and zip up. There’s a time lag between heating up and cooling off, and you can manage your temperature by staying one step ahead of this lag.
Layers are your friend. Heat Tech (or something similar) long underwear and under shirts are a must. A nice hat, scarf, gloves, and thick socks also help. There are small hand warming packets and little sticky pads you can put on your socks to help keep your extremities warm, if you find they’re still feeling chilly. (Look for カイロ in the store once it cools down a bit more.)
For inside, have a couple pairs of warm sweatpants / sweatshirts and a warm blanket in your house. Get some warm slippers / socks too. Consider buying a small space heater or heated rug if you don’t want to run your main heating unit so much.
Miyazaki or Sapporo?
I don’t know why but I can’t get the edit through for my Reddit post, it keeps cancelling.
But to add on the post, I’m based in Fukuoka but will have occasional work trips to Tokyo & Tsukuba.
I used to live in SE Asia for a long time and didnt experience winter till I came here.
My tip would be, get Uniqlo heat tech.
Electric blanket will save you a ton of electricity and will keep you warm when you need it.
My girlfriend is from the Philippines so she dealt with pretty similar. I saw in a comment you said you’re in Fukuoka, so that far south it shouldn’t get *cold* cold, but you’ll want things like a light jacket or maybe a hoodie, sweat pants, thick socks, etc. Layers work well too.
Warm indoor slippers and/or socks are a must for me in winter. Apartment insulation is also very important, especially if you’re living in an older building.
I’m from Southern California and my very first winter in Japan ages ago was brutal, especially on my toes. Even though i was in Tokyo/Chiba at the time. I had chilblains for awhile. NOT FUN.
SEAsian here. Layers are more important than ‘heat-resistant’ stuff
Lotion and lip balm.
Things you didn’t think would crack, will crack in winter.
Other than cloth people has mentioned, Japan’s winter is super dry, don’t forget to get one of those humidifier for your room, you do not want to wake up each morning with dry skin, eyes, or throat.
I think the worst part is sleeping at night,so thick pyjamas and socks.
Layers and beanie during the day.
Mostly hot chicken soup at night.
I am from south east asia also. My first winter wasnt that bad as I went hiking and camping in mountains (taking cold shower in basecamp help me build cold tolerance). Walking while snowing in tokyo for 5 minutes didnt really bother me at that time.
Depends on where you live, you might not be able to avoid high electricity bill for heater.
Basically dress in layer. Insulate your bedroom (by using thick rubber tape on window and door), using thick curtain also help.
And in my experience, sleeping in bunkbed help.
And if you are an active person / do sport( there should be nothing to worry about). Otherwise, heattech from uniqlo might be your best friend.
Hey a warm jacket.
The weather will suddenly shift on mid October to much colder than now
Hot water bottles are a good cheap way to keep warm. Use them in the bed to sleep warm at night and if you WFH or sit for long periods at home it helps to have one near your feet. Always use it with a proper cover to avoid burns.
1) Japanese apartments are drafty and let in cold air. There’s materials like window stickers and stiff to put on window and door frames that help trap heat. They’re very useful.
2) Got warm socks/ slippers. It’s amazing how just having warm/cold feet can effect you.
3) Heated blankets. You can use them in your bed, on a chair or on the sofa. Much cheaper than running your heater.
4) Yutanpo, or hot water bottles, totally work at warming your bed and keeping you warm during the night. I never run the heater at night.
I’m from SEA and I think winter in Fukuoka is warmer and bearable even than Osaka, maybe its just me though, I’m quite an 暑がりや.
Recommended starter pack for going out: 1 light-down jacket from uniqlo, and winter coat/long coat you can get even from Book Off or 2nd street, some sweaters from Uniqlo or H&M (better find one that contain wool) and heat tech bottoms.
For inner, Uniqlo heat tech sets, but no need to buy Ultra warm ones.
Scarfs: uniqlo, H&M, or Muji when its discounted. Sometimes I got good infinite type in Sankyu shop (390円)
At home, invest in pairs of fleece pajamas/loungewear, and thick/knit socks. If its still cold add a layer of outer like thick cardigans from GU.
For beddings: use 敷きパッド on your bed, then add mofu to your futon blanket when its the coldest. N-warm lineups from Nitori are enough.
The cold is less bearable after you took bath/shower, so better use cheap electric heater from sayonara sales or hard off. But beware of old models and how much the electric consumption it has.
Right before sleeping you can set aircon 暖房 with timer off after 2-3 hours, you dont need it on all night long.
This is depend on the budget, but if you’re staying at home a lot it’s better to use kotatsu (from recycle shop OK), coz aircon heater is so drying and costs electric cost more.
All above are personal recommendations though. Have a nice first winter~