It's a hot, hot, hot summer this year. But what if you have to go outside?

• Table of Contents
• Must-have goods when going out
• Nice-to-have
• Festival Edition
• At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is...

Must-have goods when going out

Hydration

Drink water frequently to avoid dehydration. If you are going to exercise or walk long distances in hot places, bring a sports drink with you so you can get the sugar you need and avoid getting tired. If you experience mild to moderate dehydration, drinking an appropriate amount of oral rehydration solution (OS-1) can help relieve some of the symptoms.

Towel

To stay fresh during the summer, it's essential to take measures against not only heatstroke but also body odor. Wipe away sweat to prevent body odor. As a little bit of trivia, wiping away sweat with a slightly wet towel rather than a dry towel lowers body temperature and reduces body odor.

Umbrella for protecting from sunlight

Of course, it's a good idea to bring a hat. However, the summer sunlight can be too strong and dangerous, so it's important to cover your whole body as much as possible. You can avoid direct sunlight to some extent by wearing long sleeves and long pants, but your body will still get hot, right? In times like these, you can protect yourself from direct sunlight just by holding a umbrella.

Nice-to-have

Mini Fan

Recently, convenient mini electric fans have been sold at 100 yen shops and 3COINS. In addition to the usual handheld fans, new types of electric fans have appeared, such as ones that can be worn around the neck like headphones.

Antiperspirant products and odor control

It may be difficult to completely eliminate the odor with just a towel. In that case, try using antiperspirants, deodorant sprays, and fresh-smelling sweat wipes to get rid of the odor as much as possible from your body.

Hiepita

In Japan, there is a cold sheet which is called "Hiepita", and Japanese often use this when somebody has a fever. Cold sheets can lower your body temperature a little, so it can make you feel cool and refreshed when you go out on hot days, and it can also help prevent heatstroke.

Festival Edition

It's summer! It's festival time! But the sun is shining brightly and it's humid. And wearing a yukata makes your body even more sweaty... Here are some ways to prevent this from happening.

By the way, the "Uchiwa Festival (Fan festival)" is held in Kumagaya city every year on July 20th, 21st, and 22nd. The highlights are the impressive festival floats and the beating of the taiko drums.

Photo courtesy of Kumagaya City Fan Festival

Official website of Uchiwa Festival

What to put into yukata

When you wear a yukata or kimono, you can't carry a lot of things, right? In that case, you can put a folding fan or handkerchief in your yukata like in the photos and pictures. Carrying a parasol to avoid direct sunlight will make you enjoy the festival more comfortably.

Mist in front of the station

In the summer, mist falls in front of Japanese stations. If you're tired from the festival, why not go and take a short break? Maybe it'll cool you down somehow...?

Check for areas that are not hot

The official Kumagaya City website provides a map with detailed temperatures throughout the city that are regularly updated. Check it out and travel to a cooler spot so you don't have to spend a long time in the heat during the festival. Before you go to a festival, check to see if the city or town you're visiting has a similar website.

At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is...

Do not go out during daylight hours, especially between 12 and 3am . Direct sunlight in hot areas of Japan, such as Kumagaya, can be deadly. You need to protect yourself not only from the heat but also from the sunlight.

We hope that by taking all necessary precautions, you can spend a comfortable summer in Japan!