any advice for dealing with the heat :)

36 comments

1. Stay indoors as much as possible, I say. It’s not worth it to go out in this extreme heat unless you absolutely need to.

   If you do want to go out, wait for night when it’s not as hot.

2. You need to be drinking more than water and tea when you’re sweating heavily. You’re having headaches and dizziness because you’re sweating out more electrolytes than you’re taking in.

   Pocari Sweat, Aquarius, electrolyte powder dissolved in otherwise normal water – any of these will likely fix you up

3. I’ve usually got a bath full of cold water sitting at home that I can jump in as needed. Apart from that, electrolytes, you can get powdered pocari sweat to add to your water. Perhaps also exercise in the early mornings?

4. Use a parasol outside. It makes a huge difference. I’m using one for the first time ever and realising how women have been really smart about this for years.

5. A parasol does a lot for direct sunlight. Keep a stock of hand towels and possibly the body/face wipes when you’re out and about.

6. Never go outside.
   Jk, I always have sweat sheets and a little fan on me at all times and definitely have cold water in an insulated bottle that helps

7. I used a face fan that hangs around my neck. Mine was a gift but I’m sure they sell them on Amazon.

   Also, at the super market you can buy rehydration salt candies. See photo.

   https://preview.redd.it/lhsqvfq8tefb1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec2984145b642240e6a006b0f432e59b1f4e5189

8. Stay indoors, especially during the day. When you’re outside, slow down. Especially with activities like climbing stairs, go at half speed.

9. I live in Okinawa and the “trick” is to act like the locals and avoid going out unless necessary. When you do go out, drink plenty of water/poccari sweat and try some mall walking (because of the AC) instead of working out outside.
   One of my cars has no AC, and those body towels (purple ones from Gatsby) pretty much keep me alive when I have to use it during summer, so they’re great if you have no choice but go outside/work out outside. Also use a safari hat, provides more shad than a regular cap.

10. Get some of the blue ice packs, get a small hand towel, dampen towel and wrap ice packs inside then put around neck. After ice melts keep the towel damp so it evaporates and cools your neck/head.

11. I saw some people use this, anyone have tried it?
    [Amazon.co.jp: Neck Cooler, Neck Cooling Goods, Cool Ring](https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Cooler-Cooling-Heatstroke-Prevention-Adults/dp/B0C3TYWKTN/ref=sr_1_35?crid=3CEPZ7LUGZK7J&keywords=%E9%A6%96%E5%85%83%E3%81%B2%E3%82%93%E3%82%84%E3%82%8A%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0&qid=1690856945&sprefix=%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-35&th=1)

12. Wear breathable fabrics like uniqlo’s airism or sports shirts. Also if you wanna drop some cash and aren’t afraid to possibly get a few stares, they make [vests](https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AB%E3%83%86%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-TULTEX-%E3%82%A2%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B9%E3%83%91%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF4%E5%80%8B%E4%BB%98-AZ-865948-%E3%82%A2%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%82%B9/dp/B09TGLQSRM/ref=asc_df_B09TGLQSRM/?tag=jpgo-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=605461624443&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6274825151399489277&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1009281&hvtargid=pla-1678634124605&psc=1) you can get at workman or amazon where you put in refreezable ice packs. Also there’s more expensive water [pump](https://workman.jp/shop/g/g2300035912018/) vests. Past that you can put a [fan](https://workman.jp/shop/g/g2300035808106/) vest on over that. The ice pack vests will stay cool about 1 – 2 hours and the water pump reviews say around 3 then you can swap in another ice pack in the water reservoir.

13. Get a humid towel and clean your face constantly, try to buy those frozen aquarius in the convenience stores and entertain yourself trying to finish it, there’s also some ice necklaces I’ve seen, hats and white color clothes that doesn’t absorb to much light. Careful with heat strokes

14. Fellow Kyushu-er here.

    Honestly between not going out much, but also I try to exercise outside in the mornings. I wouldn’t start doing it mid-summer, but if you do it consistently leading up to the hottest months, for me, it makes a huge difference in acclimation to the heat.

    Its still hot as shit. I just don’t care as much and my body seems to tolerate it better.

15. Parasol, even if you’re a guy. There are awesome ***higasa*** for dudes. I only harp on that because a lot of guys are like “Parasol? Nah, I’m a guy I’ll just tough it out”. Even I did for years. Then I found an awesome fashionable higasa and now I use it all the time.

    Outside of that, “shorts” aren’t a thing in kanto (I’m assuming you live in kita-kanto, perhaps Gunma) unless you’re a child; but Sarouel pants are totally popular these days with all age ranges.

    I started getting into Sarouel (サルエル) pants (aka “Harem Pants” ハーレムパンツ　) on a whim a few years back, when I was sweating balls in light pants while watching a Japanese dude in cool, loose, hippie, Aladdin-style pants and decided I wanted to try them too. Best. Decision. Ever.

    Sarouel pants helped me get through every nasty Japan summer for the past several years. They’re unisex and size free, and cheap on Amazon.

    Here’s your basic intro ones:
    [https://www.amazon.co.jp/OKI（オキ）-サルエルパンツ-アラジンパンツ-ユニセックス-無地パープル/dp/B01N315DRB/](https://www.amazon.co.jp/OKI（オキ）-サルエルパンツ-アラジンパンツ-ユニセックス-無地パープル/dp/B01N315DRB/)

    Slightly more adventurous/hippie: [https://www.amazon.co.jp/OKI（オキ）-サルエルパンツ-アラジンパンツ-ユニセックス-デザインポケット/dp/B07FCHCX49/](https://www.amazon.co.jp/OKI（オキ）-サルエルパンツ-アラジンパンツ-ユニセックス-デザインポケット/dp/B07FCHCX49/)

    Going down the rabbit hole: [https://www.amazon.co.jp/OKI（オキ）-サルエルパンツ-アラジンパンツ-ユニセックス-レッド×ネイビー/dp/B08YNFWRYH/](https://www.amazon.co.jp/OKI（オキ）-サルエルパンツ-アラジンパンツ-ユニセックス-レッド×ネイビー/dp/B08YNFWRYH/)

    And recently, I’ve also fallen in love with Thai-style pants: They’re basically 3/4 pants (aka shorter than slacks, longer than “hip hop shorts”), light material, and the colors match a lot of my wardrobe (I have a pair of wine-purple and just got a navy blue too; I would get dark grey but I already have a lot of dark grey/black sarouel pants):
    [https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B07DHF6RXT/](https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B07DHF6RXT/)

    Good luck, beat the heat!

16. Electrolytes were the thing I was missing during my first summer here. What works for me are tablets that are issued to the JSDF but also available for purchase. They’re made with umeboshi, so they actually taste great (you dissolve them in your mouth). Here’s a link for them on Amazon: [https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Asahi-Group-Umeboshi-24-Pastilles-10-Pieces/dp/B00FAIHSFM?pd_rd_w=kZQ9g&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5a7eabb-6768-4952-9f8c-7daaa5488db6&pf_rd_p=f5a7eabb-6768-4952-9f8c-7daaa5488db6&pf_rd_r=8YN93TSADH3R1PDST7PQ&pd_rd_wg=odADd&pd_rd_r=dc7f0745-0b4c-48dd-9cf4-f513b0121961&pd_rd_i=B00FAIHSFM&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_18_t](https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Asahi-Group-Umeboshi-24-Pastilles-10-Pieces/dp/B00FAIHSFM?pd_rd_w=kZQ9g&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5a7eabb-6768-4952-9f8c-7daaa5488db6&pf_rd_p=f5a7eabb-6768-4952-9f8c-7daaa5488db6&pf_rd_r=8YN93TSADH3R1PDST7PQ&pd_rd_wg=odADd&pd_rd_r=dc7f0745-0b4c-48dd-9cf4-f513b0121961&pd_rd_i=B00FAIHSFM&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_dv_rp_0_18_t)

17. Is it the heat or humidity?

    Heat can be beaten with the appropriate clothing, hydration, and healthy eating habits. So long as you protect your body from direct sunlight with clothing that provides coverage and airflow while keeping your body nourished and hydrated you should be good.

    If humidity is the issue you can’t win. You just need to stay in cool spots and take more breaks.

    Our bodies regulate temperature through evaporative cooling. We sweat, the sweat absorbs heat, the sweat evaporates and the heat dissipates. But when humidity levels are high it impacts the evaporation process and moisture levels in the surrounding air prevents your body from cooling as quickly. This can reach deadly levels in events known as wet bulbs where moisture levels are so high your sweat won’t evaporate at all leaving the body drenched and burning.

    Sweat is the reason it’s so important to hydrate at all. You want to sweat when you’re hot. And then drink water so you can sweat more. Case and point, Bruce Lee died as a result of having his sweat glands removed since he thought excessive sweating was unphotogenic. Heatstroke led to health issues that ultimately led to his unfortunate passing at the age of just 32.

    Keep this in mind while you’re out and about.

18. Swimming in the sea every evening after 4:00 for me. But I understand that might not be possible for everyone.

    The cold bath idea someone else wrote works great. I usually just wear swimming trunks all summer when I go outside and every 20 minutes or before I go somewhere, I douse myself with the garden hose. It’s important to keep the head cool. If I were inside, I would be dousing my head in the shower with cold water every few minutes.

    And you’ll probably hate this, but try to live somewhere where you don’t need air conditioning. Going from hot to cold rooms/car/shops over and over will make you dizzy and sick. It’s called Natsu-Bate (summer sickness). I try to sleep with windows open and a fan blowing on me.

    There was one summer in particular in which I finally got over my heat aversion – I had to re-wire the electrical wiring in my ceiling crawlspace one year. After working in that almost unbearable heat, my body just kind of switched over.

19. Plan your route, stick to the shade where possible.

    If you happen to see a Ice cream factory nearby, discover a sudden interest in how it is made 😁.

    Check out in detail the frozen section in the combini.

    Any places with air conditioning are worth a walk around.

20. Reuse your drink bottles by putting filling them with water and putting them overnight in the freezer. Carry it to work and it’s half melted by then! I use a parasol and necktowel too, and carry the gatsby body wipes.

21. Nothing much to say:
    Hydrate, stay in the shades, use the AC, don’t go out at temperatures’ peak…

22. Yea there’s really nothing special you can do outside other than the usual stuff.

    Use parasol, stay hydrated, avoid peak hours (1pm-3pm).

    If you want to try some products, there are some spray on stuff for your clothes, and then there’s the minty wet tissue stuff you rub on your skin. Ignore the feminine looking ones and go for the super strong ones in the men section. I apply those in all my sensitive areas and they’re fricking amazing.

    But, you might have a reaction to it and feel it burn on your sensitive areas, so test it first in the bathroom where you can wash it off right away.

23. Stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day. That’s really the only way to avoid it. When you do go out, ensure you’re wearing breathable fabrics (linen is great) and loose clothing – not tight clothing! Use an umbrella. Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks – avoid tea and caffeine.

24. Fellow UK person here 😌 I’ve been here a few years and I find my general combo that works is: deodorant (not a Japanese one lol), apply sea breeze under clothes before getting dressed, apply suncream to exposed skin, wear a Uniqlo airism vest to catch all my sweat 😂 and then when I’m outside I have a mini portable electric fan (my one is from a shop called Hapins), and a UV umbrella (the brand WPC), and I always have a sun hat on. I’ll always have at least 1 pocari sweat, Aquarius or salty lychee drink a day, a lot of water and also the salt candies on me in case I’m still feeling fatigue still. And usually if I’m planning on going out for more than a few hours I try to plan in a cafe break, shopping centre for a bit, grab a drink in the supermarket etc where I can cool down in the aircon.

25. Stay away from polyester clothing. Maybe not such an issue with men’s clothing but the vast majority of women’s “summer” clothing on the highstreet is polyester. Which is ridiculous. It’s literally plastic, which traps in all the sweat and heat to make you feel really hot and clammy. Stick to natural fibers like cotton and linen, viscose/rayon is okay too. In loose lightweight weaves, and light colours. Clothes that are a looser, flowy fit are also a lot cooler than slim/tight fit.

    A lot of people swear by Uniqlo airism undershirts but personally I find them super clammy and hot. I bought some bamboo rayon undershirts last year and find them much more comfortable.

26. I’m also from the UK, it takes time but here are my tips.

    Try to get used to living in a warmer temperature inside i.e. don’t have your aircon on super cool, I’ve gone from 19 when I arrived to 26-28 degrees now. Then the outside doesn’t feel as hot when you venture out.

    Exercise outside in the heat (not necessarily the hottest part of the day but early morning or late afternoon sometime when it is still very hot). Obviously make sure to keep hydrated but for me this made it much more comfortable walking around doing daily tasks.

    Make sure you keep hydrated I think this is difficult coming from the UK where we don’t have to think about it as much. I think this was my biggest problem when I arrived.

27. Sounds crazy but I started very slowly exercising outside in the heat, taking all precautions such as wearing a hat, exercising in shade if possible, lots of water/electrolyte drinks.

    Gradual exposure, began with something doable like a 2 minute run and slowly worked up to a 30 minute work-out over a month+.

    You can vary the time and type of exercise to your own current level of fitness, physical limits, don’t push yourself.

    After doing this, normal walking to work in the heat, relaxing at home with fan (no AC) and other activities that would be challenging solely due to the hot temperature became very easy to deal with.

    This is not health advice so be cautious but this is my experience and it worked for me. The more fit I became, the less this heat bothers me, in fact I actually love the hot temperatures now (and I’m from Canada).

28. try Wearing less clothes

29. Visit an OK store or similar large supermarket and buy the largest sports drink possible. I recommend Aquarius Zero calories.
    Then mix a small amount in a large container with water! Lasts a long time and is very cost effective. I recommend the drink container from Muki (it seals so can be placed in a small fridge on its side without leaking).

30. For me I try not to get used to relying on aircons. I set mine to 24 (even that gets too cold for me) because otherwise you won’t climatize and won’t get used to the heat. Making it feel worse and worse the hotter it gets. We still have another month and a half to go and it’s going to get hotter.

    Plus going in and out of extreme temperatures makes you sick as well. The vast difference in Temperature shocks your system too much.

31. Throw a few juice boxes or waters in the freezer and take them on your hikes. They will keep your other stuff cold and when they (juices) are half defrosted they make killer slushies (especially m.ango juice).

    Hold them against your wrists or jugular veins when you get to the summit or your destination. Cool down the blood a bit before you drink/eat the slush. Aaahhh so nice!

    Coming from an always hot guy.

32. Some great advice here, just to add something I haven’t seen people mention.. slow down. I usually walk really fast and found I just can’t do it in the summer. Once it gets hot I literally walk at half speed and it’s so much easier, I don’t get overheated and am not quite as sweaty when arrive somewhere. Couple slow motion walking with an umbrella and you’re in business.

33. You need to drink at least 1L an hour if you’re continually outside. Water/tea works for me but occasionally sugary/electrolyte drink probably also good.

    But most importantly, forget cotton, forget polyester, forget synthetics and airism and drykeep etc, what you need is linen.
    There’s a reason it’s been around so long. Uniqlo has it, but many other places too, you can get some mixed with cotton (make sure majority is linen) if you’re worried about creasing, which you shouldn’t be as 3 minutes in the humidity removes all creasing.

    I only wear linen shirt and trousers from July to Sept.

    Also, if you’re a man, loose cotton boxers, not the usual clingy type. I actually have linen boxers too, but that’s because I’m a freak and used to work in textiles, they’re not easy to find unless you make yourself

34. FYI we’re at peak heat and it’s supposed to very gradually get cooler from now on.

35. You’ll have to get used to it which can take years. I moved here in 2019 and this year is the first where the heat doesn’t bother me that much. I have to walk 160 minutes outside daily in the heat to bring my son to his summer nursery school (40 minutes one way) and it’s no problem for me as long as I drink enough water and shower afterwards. I couldn’t have done this a few years ago but your body will adapt. In the meantime I have no other advice then take it easy, worry about the airconditioning bill later and make sure you stay healthy trough hydration and staying in cool places when the heat becomes too much to endure.

36. I’ve dealt with exercising outside in the heat here for many years, thought about what to share, and it’s not fancy.

    Go out as early as you possibly can, know where the shade is and use it, be aware of where water fountains are, finish showers with cold water to stop sweating, as much as possible, and drink water or mugi-cha like a monster all day after. Other than that, stay inside if at all possible and carry an uchiwa.