HI EVERYONE I HATE SUMMER HERE!!!!!! Okay the festivals are pretty rad (even though by the end of the night you are covered in sweat and bug bites) BUT!!! ALSO!!! I added Amazon storefront links to my description!! I have US and JP ones! A bit sparse right now but I'll add more over time, so if you see something in a video you like or want to see what my recommendations are in general for skincare and such here, check it out!!!! (And let me know if it doesn't work loll) 💦💦
If you are doing touristy things, go early! Get up at 5-6 am, then go back for a nap during the hottest part of the day. Then you’ll be rested for a nice dinner.
My friends honeymooned in Japan… in JULY without researching what Japanese summer is like. It was brutal, they were totally unprepared. I hope they go back again someday in spring or autumn! I’m going in November and I CAN’T WAIT!!!
@@Couch-Tomato United States, the Midwest. I mean, it gets hot & humid here but it maxes out at about 95° on the worst days. And our UV index is not as high. They said Japan was far worse!
@@danielletilliepoledance Far worse, Really? 😅 I was born and have lived here in Japan so I don't know other country’s summer. But I can say it's getting worse （hotter）especially in these years. When I was a child I played outside everyday in summer. Thanks for the information.
We traveled last year in November and early December and it was perfect! Only rained a couple of days, the temperature was in the 60s F, and the leaves were changing. I hope you have a wonderful trip :)
My first trip was in winter. Absolute bliss! I came back the following year. In summer. Yeah, everything Allison said, everything, is true. I have to admit, I underestimated the heat because I come from a hot climate too. But the heat where I’m from is dry, and I think much more manageable than humid heat. ONE GOOD THING about summer though: enjoy he beautiful hydrangeas! They are just gorgeous! And I also love those clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds, hearing the cicadas chirp. Summer in Japan didn’t put me off. I came back in Spring the following year.
I took my first trip to Japan this May. Allison's videos helped me prepare and make the most out of my time in Tokyo. Her channel is the best at showing you the vibe of Japan, it will look and feel just like it does here. Thank you for all of you time and effort, we all appreciate it!
I agree! I mark up on google maps places where I want to visit next time just because she makes things looks so damn nice 😄 and I have been in tokyo twice already
I visited Japan in march this year and it was perfect weather! i got to see the cherry blossoms as well. I NEVER travel anywhere during the summer i absolutely hate the heat, and i've heard how terrible it is in Japan especially.
@@_Astrogirl_ I was extremely fortunate. The timing has to be perfect. My boss coincidentally went to Tokyo 10 days after I did, by that time the cherry blossoms were already gone.
Great tips, thank you! We visited this year in June & first week of July. It was very hot compared to Vancouver Canada! But light fabrics/moisture wicking clothes helped, sunscreen, hats and constant hydration. Drinking electrolyte drinks like Pocari Sweat or Aquarius helps too when drinking lots of water- those also come in tablets that you can add to water (some convenience stores have them). We also took advantage of AC when we could, going into stores & taking subway outside of rush hour time- love the AC on the trains! We started out somewhat early in the morning, took afternoon siesta breaks in the hottest part of the day & then went out at night when it was cooler. And of course, having a cold beer or Chu-Hi under the shade of a tree in a park helps too 😅 Still we enjoyed every sweaty second of our trip! We did get climatized part way through the trip but you’ll still be a sweaty mess- just give into it and enjoy the festivals.
I'm from Vancouver as well who visited Japan this past year. I originally went in mid September. I knew it would be hot, but I wasn't prepared for the humidity at all. I came back after 3 days because I was genuinely concerned about heatstroke. I came back at the end of November and had a fantastic time.
I totally agree, you can travel to Japan in summer, but don't plan too many outdoor activities. I would not go outside during noon and I am only outside during daytime for 1-2h. It's nice to be outside after 7 p.m. after sunset. The festivals and fireworks are totally worth it!
From a country in SEA, I can tell you that going out for long term after 10 am is a bad idea. The heat is not your worst enemy, its the humid air. After the sun goes down, the heat trapped in concrete would slowly rise up..
Starting the last week of my summer abroad program in Kyoto and definitely learned most of these while here! But we also found some towels meant to cool you off by getting them wet. Any water, even if the water isn't cold, will make the towel cool and then you just wrap it around your neck or whatever. It isn't like ice cold, but it was super helpful on a hike the other day! We got them at donkey next to the cooling eye masks
Great tips(& warnings). Most important tip is to stay hydrated in the summer. Heat+Humidity=Suffering. I'm with you, I don't care for summer very much(except to go fishing), but I love winter!
I went in summer, no regrets! It's sooo hot. However the festivals were amazing. We would go back to our house mid-day to cool off or hit the malls on the "death days" lol (40 degree plus days). I learned quickly, wear long skirts, no make-up and wear shoes not sandals. :D
if this is not your first time to Japan, I wld recommend spending summers in the countryside or in cities like hokkaido! I was also able to climb Mount Fuji in the summer (climbing season is open for a short window)
Just arrived back from 3 weeks in Japan and it was ***hot***, but we still got out and about and did so much - it was amazing. Sunscreen, fan and water was our friend!
So I visited Japan in the summer in 2018. Was there because a long term Japanese friend of mine was back in her home town and I was invited to stay with her and her family for a few days out of my 3 week trip. If my schedule allowed, I would go out for the day and come back to my hotel after lunch, shower and maybe have a nap and then go out in the evening again. Hotel room had AC and I would have a somewhat warm shower as well. Then back out into the very minimally slightly cooler evening lol otherwise I’d take a spare t shirt out with me to change into if I got too sweaty. Other than that I would just stay hydrated and had a couple of face towels in my bag. I love Japan in the summer though, not for the heat but for all the festivals and outdoor events that are happening.
Such helpful advice, thank you. One thing that caught me out was the adjustment to the sunrise. I started out running between 7-8-am, but then realised I was getting sunburnt. When I checked the sunrise time, I was shocked to find it was 4am and that my morning runs were the equivalent of mid-morning runs from where I come from. Needless to say, I now run earlier to avoid the UV rays and wear sunblock (which still feels crazy).
Thank you for your wonderful videos Allison; we watched so many of them to prep for our trip. We just got back from a week in Tokyo (the second week of July), and your tips and observations are perfect. We were drained almost every day from the heat and humidity, except for the day that was in the high 80s and felt good. Wish I'd had your tips before we went. The one thing you recommend but we didn't see much of was hydration. We each carried an embarrassingly large water bottle every day, but we didn't see many locals drinking constantly like we were. We'll definitely be back, but never again in summer if we can avoid it. The one benefit; the heat and humidity killed our appetites. Pretty sure we all lost a bit of weight on the trip.
Was in Japan on a college summer program and then a post-college summer internship, so it is the only season I've spent more than.a few days in Japan. Agree with everything about the head and the humidity (and the festivals!). Only thing I'd add is a mention of the cicadas. The noise is just insane. Was fun to hear them in the background of the Tokyo Olympics coverage.
This video is very informative! I've been in Tokyo since March 2023 and these last couple months have been soooo bad! I've invested in compression shirts and undies that help keep in sweat, as I sweat far too much! I wash them weekly and they've been a life saver, but I also have been staying home since it's my first season lol, next summer I'll hit the beaches. Also, I was at the Adachi firework festival! TONS of people there, and the fireworks lasted about 80minutes!
Hi Allison thank you for sharing this. Summer is also my least favourite season and time of year, for me it’s always been the humidity that I can’t stand. My fiancé has just bought one of those neck fans and she loves it, I’ve also tried it and it’s certainly nice to have around the home if you need to cool down quickly. Autumn 🍂 has always been my favourite season and this is definitely the time of year I will be choosing for my bucket list visit to Japan in the future, I love seeing the colour changes on the trees and the temperatures go back to something more bearable. Stay cool and best wishes
Listening to Allison if you are visiting in the summer. Buy everything she said, especially the umbrella. It’s very helpful. I use it when I visit other Asian countries too. A hat sometimes just isn’t enough.
I've lived in the Tokyo Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture since 2012. When I first arrived I actually enjoyed the summer for the first two or three years as I generally like the heat and dislike cold weather. However, summers have definitely become hotter and more humid. This year is terrible. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit. Winter if you like the cold.
@@_Astrogirl_ Yes, if you like cold weather. Actually, the winters in the Tokyo area are quite mild. Last winter it only snowed twice, and the snow didn't stay on the ground for long. Of course the further north you go the colder it gets; Northern Honshu and Hokaido are extremely cold and snowy in the winter.
Living in Japan, I am so glad I don't live in Tokyo and don't have to travel on packed trains. Also being able to take a short drive to the cooler mountains is awesome in summer. Inaka for the win
I’m in Japan now on vacation. Been getting up early to do tourist things and then back to the hotel. When I am out I look for shade and go into stores to steal their AC, also 2 showers a day. I’m a large white / pink person. Thank you for your videos watched many in preparation. Now I just have to get the Don Q song out of my head.
For my first trip way back in 2008, we made the mistake of travelling in July/august…it was hot and humid (especially in Kyoto). Definitely recommend lots of sunscreen, lots of water (or even sodas with sugar content) and definitely ducking in and out of shops with AC…personally I didn’t find it unbearable as I live in western Sydney where temps are usually in the mid 30 degrees Celsius in summer and the sun is pretty strong here too. But the item I definitely could not recommend more is an umbrella…even if you can’t exactly afford a UV one, just one that can shade you a little is worth it. But I’m definitely investing in a UV one next time I’m there!
We were at Kawagoe yesterday and IT. WAS. RIDICULOUSLY HOT. I’m from Singapore, the land of perpetual summer, and that says a lot. I hated it yesterday. This is my 4th summer in Japan but I realised that I’ve spent it in Sapporo- which is actually quite lovely in the summer.
i just got back form spending 2 weeks in japan for fuji rock festival and it was NOT fun being out in the heat. since it's humid, the heat lasts even into the evening! I was going out in tokyo at night and it was still 80+ degrees! this was even worse at the festival where unlike most festivals in the US, they don't have any water bottle refill stations. the only way to get water was to bring it yourself (which will run out eventually) or buy small water bottles from vendors. albeit prices for things at festivals are pretty reasonable in japan, it was still very annoying since most lines were very long. I think when I was in tokyo it was 90+ and hot and humid all days I was there. We realistically would only want to do like 1 or 2 activities (like visit a park + lunch) before we'd need to chill in the hotel room for part of the afternoon to go back out before dinner haha
Love wet wipes - we were in Singapore recently with crazy hot temps/super high humidity and they were the best thing to have on hand. But don't use the antibacterial ones on your face! My skin reacted (pasty white girl here) to the one I used and I ended up with a chemical burn across my upper lip... super sexy (especially when it scabbed up *sob*). We loved the umbrellas - the black inner layer ones are so, so good for sun shielding.
I will be in Japan for the first time ever in two weeks which I've known while planning the trip that is not the best time weather-wise, but this is the only time I can take a long vacation. I hope being accustomed to very hot summers in my city has prepped me for Japanese weather. My strategy is to visit museums and stores during the peak sun hours. I will be noting down the tips Allison has shared in my travel plan. Thanks for the video, it is very timely for my trip! :)
Yeah I am staying away from Japan in the summer. Sure everything is open and the days are longer but I am not down with the humidity. I plan on going in February when it is cold.
February is the coldest month in Japan! Really Cold! Hope you get to pick spring ( Late March, April, May) or autumn (late Sep. to Oct. early Nov.) which is much better!! 🌹
I’ve just moved to Tokyo and it really surprised me how few people wear sunglasses, considering how sunny it is currently. I’ve already got myself a fan and a parasol, and I can confirm they help! Ice cream from the combini also helps 😁
Thank you Allison for the small rays of hope to enjoy Japan during summer. I'm travelling there for June and July with my infant and husband, because of my husband's work. So we had no other choice, we thought it was going to be very hot, but the humidity everyone is talking about it's getting me nervous because of my baby. Does anyone have more tips for being a tourist, with a baby, during this season? Thank you!!!
I'm going to Japan in March next year and I feel very happy with our choice of season to go. Especially since we're Norwegian and not used to crazy hot weather haha.
we last visited Tokyo in May 2019 when it was fairly hot, humid and rainy - but we had an air-conditioned car so anytime we felt hot we just got back in the air-conditioned car and it was sweet ! This time we're planning late August-September 2023 to northern Honshu - Tohoku - with a JR rail pass and have our fingers crossed that El Nino won't still be making life miserable there then ...
I moved to Japan in December. I’m from California. Summer in Japan 🇯🇵 is really humid and hot 🥵 I stay home 🏡 all day and I go out in the evening still hot 🥵 but much better after 6 or 7 pm. this weekend I when to a festival and I never seen this many people. took as over 2hrs just to exit.
I loved the summer festivals in Japan. The Kochi Yosakoi, (although the Sapporo Yosakoi Soran festival is in June with much more pleasant weather), Tokushima Awa Odori, and the Gujo Odori are something every visitor to Japan should try to experience, even though they are during the hottest part of August. Gujo Hachiman is up in the hills so it's a little cooler, especially at night, and the dancing takes place after dark. The Kochi and Tokushima festivals can be sweltering during the day, but they cool off a little after dark even though there is dancing going on during the day. Be prepared to be hot and sweaty when outside. I had a free unplanned day in Tokyo during my last summer trip, and had a couple of outdoor things to see. I left my hotel, walked into the street and encountered a blast furnace, worthy of a 110+F day in Las Vegas, and turned around and went back to my room to wait until the sun went down.
I did 20 summers back to back in Japan, ducking and diving in Tokyo. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Good umbrella tip, but you potentially blind others at intersections. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit
We were in Japan two weeks ago and spent almost the entire time (10 days) outdoors including 13 hours at universal studios in Osaka and I was not bothered by it considering when I got back home to Texas and it is 105. Now my travel companions had a rough time in Japan.
I carry around the little towel, but I keep it damp and in a Ziploc bag. It's great for wiping off that stickiness and then the water evaporates and cools your skin. Of course you need to rinse it as often as possible to keep it from getting smelly.
I loved going to matsuri near where we lived and near my Sobo's home. I agree with the he hayashichuka. My mother used to make it quite frequently during the summer, with a freshly sliced cucumbers, ham and thinly cooked eggs. I agree with your suggestion the rivers in the mountains. It can often be many degrees cooler and the water very refreshing. At least when I was growing up. It was fun. Is trying Japanese traditional foods such as yakisoba, takoyaki and taiyaki. Sometimes going into the local markets you can pick up potato croquettes. They make a great snack, especially when they're fresh.
I love the sun. I am very tanned. No sunburn of course 🙃 I think it's a pity to live in a country blesses with good weather and avoid the sun at all costs... 😥 but yeah, I spend holidays in summee at the sea and nor in a city. November for Japan sounds wonderful.
can't overstate how bad it is from July on (yes I mean July 1st July). don't come if you can help it. i recommend bringing an umbrella (i didn't have the sun kind but even regular umbrellas work ok enough just for the shade). it's worth it. Yes i've seen a few japanese guys of all ages (teens to working adults to elderly) carrying umbrellas. just do what you need to do to feel comfortable
I live in Las Vegas and work outside. the summer gets really hot here too(minus the humidity thankfully) but those cooling towels really help. I'll refrigerate mine and wrap it loosely like a scarf around my neck. it does have to be refreshed every couple of hours but it is a lifesaver. mine is a spongey type material. I've tried the cloth ones and they don't work very well
My first trip to Tokyo was late September and the temperature was only around 25C but the humidity was around 90% and it was tough. I live where Summer temperatures often get to around 40C but with relatively low humidity, and I would take that over what I experienced in Tokyo! My last two trips (and my upcoming trip) have been in Tokyo's Winter, and I loved it (plus I get a bonus of missing a couple of weeks of the hot Summer where I live!).
I bought those cold neck rings when I was in Japan a few weeks ago. Unfortunatelly the coolness don't last long. I would recomend the cooling towel. Just wet them in the restroom when they dried up and they'll make you cool again.
SO TRUE. A coworker just visited and i had to warn her. Hopeful i will get to visit again one day outside of summer lol 😂 i keep coming in this hellish weather 😅
wish me luck!! my first trip to japan will be in JULY. i wouldve picked autumn if i could, but im going with my school community so i didnt get a choice.
me watching this having struggled hanging my washing out in the heat. It's so sticky. The bore cooling wipes are actually a god send when out and abut though
I love heat, my husband prefers the cold. I very much want to travel in summer to hear the cicadas and experience the summer festivals. So I’ve been trying to warn him as much as possible for our trip next year. He hasn’t been worried about it as much as I thought he would, but I doubt he won’t really know how bad it is until he experiences it. I’m prepared for lots of complaining 😂
Planning on going in June for the first time. I'd say I'm prepared for Japan's summers after having lived in FL for a good amount of years...but then I've learned you are also from Florida and still share your disdain for Japan summers. I feel unprepared! I'm used to being sweaty and not caring, but I would feel a bit embarrassed about being sweaty around Japanese people, especially since I've heard they have sensitive noses to body odor?
Oh I w😅sh I had if seen this a few weeks ago. Got back from my 1st Japan trip a few days ago. Yep it was sooooo hot. I do always have an umbrella with me so that was good but seeing your video before hand would of prepared me more. One thing I found hard was lack of seating anywhere. I’ll bring a portable seat with me next time.
Just got back from Japanese Summer. I'm from SEA. I thought I was prepared. NOPE. 😂 To anyone looking to visit Japan, Fun thing that you can do is to politely observe what people dress & bring, then just copy them. Only non-obvious thing they do is applying the sunscreen, but you can quickly assume that girls are putting shitton amount of that to keep their skin that bright. The only thing I'm not sure if its working is the cool neck ring, since I didn't see that much people using it (around 1 in 20 in Osaka)
Was just in Japan and can relate. Everything was gross and the umbrellas were awesome- like walking in the shade. But we couldn’t do half of what we wanted to do
We here at the moment from rainy London, it's so hot and humid here! Unfortunately my daughter who is with me could only come when school had finished so we had no choice😢. Trying to enjoy the city still
Going in June to see our son and dil who live there. I really wanted to go in March or April but my husband is a school teacher so not enough time off to go other than summer. We are from the South in the US so I understand heat and humidity. It's part of our summer lives too.
I made the mistake of visiting Japan in mid September. It was still 35 degrees with 90% humidity. I came home after 3 days amd booked another trip for the end of November and had a great time . She's right. Summer in Japan is no joke.
I highly recommend the Gatsby "ice type deodorant body wipes." They don't just wipe off sweat--they're infused with some kind of cooling menthol that makes your skin feel cool and minty after wiping yourself down. The sensation lasts for a minute or two and is quite refreshing.
I have been coming to Japan for the last 17 years mostly in summers... like now! But i do enjoy nights in the summer despite that is hot… in tokyo there is at least wind! i would avoid Kyoto though
Interesting, and yeah, I don't want to do anything outside today. All of the festivals are happening next week, and I am looking forward to the food, AND I'm dancing in the parade. I don't have many breaks where I can travel, so I have to do it in summer if I want to travel. Uh, the beaches. This time, I've got Atami on my itinerary. I don't know anyone here with good advice, so I look at maps, and then photos, and then maybe mention things to people and see what they say. I also can't drive yet, so I'm beholden to the train system. Have you ever been to Atami?
It gets really hot and humid where I live in the states. The other day the feels like was 121 Fahrenheit with real temp being mid to high 90’s with very high humidity, like 95% humidity. It’s not always like that, we have some lucky days but typically it’s very hot and humid for a good couple months in summer. I cannot wait until fall.
Sounds like Japanese and Korean summers are hotter than most American summers. Texas, Arizona, and Florida are where it gets the hottest in the United States. July and August are the worst months in United States during the summer because it's so hot.
You didn’t mention that the temperature doesn’t drop at night…or if it does, it’s only a couple of degrees. Also, the neck towel - wrap 3 or 4 of the tiny ice packs that you get when you buy refrigerated sweets in the center, secure with rubber bands and put around your neck. Just refreeze them when you get home. Or, if your hat is loose, wrap some in a small hand towel and out them inside your hat. Probably won’t go with business dress but definitely ok for casual wear. You didn’t mention the long gloves that you can buy from ¥100 stores as quick arm covers to prevent sunburn Loose clothing is a must. I preferred mid calf culotte type pants (or is that skirts) and loose t shirts. If you are worried about losing your parasol/umbrella, buy a length of hair elastic and a hair scrunchy from ¥100 store and attach the parasol to your wrist. Also useful for when you drop it as don’t have to bend down to pick it up. Use baby powder (adult body powder is hard to find) to avoid heat rash. Soothe tired, aching legs and feet with the herbal patches from the drug store. Wear sandals but carry packs of bandaids as they will rub when your feet swell in the heat.
Thanks for this informative video, I really enjoyed this and all the other ones I already watched. My girlfriend and I will visit Japan in mid-September and I really hope that the temperatures will go down a little bit until than. If not.. now we're prepared :D
A few days ago I stayed at a ryokan in the mountains. It was a beautiful house, but you know old homes have inner courtyards and verandas (ベランダ) which are usually just...open. So the room where I slept was cool, but the rest of the house was NOT. It cooled down a bit at night. You're right, traditional restaurants and hotels are still hot--hot in the hallways, hot in the lobby. I'm talking about small, business hotel-type places, not big fancy hotels.
Wow, yeah. My trip got postponed twice because of Covid in 2021 and 2022. The borders where still closed in 2023 and my church was going to Turkey, so I figured, why not🤷? Once I bought the trip the borders to Japan opened up for tourist groups. After all that I just wanted to go when I could go and made plans for June (to Japan). Nwo I'm learning it could be rainy season, it's hot and you being a Florida girl, like me, ( from Browar, just north of Miami Dade) are telling how hot it can be.. yeah, I'm guessing it will be. But whatever, I'll just make the best of it and take all the advice I can get and hope for the best.
Thank you Allison for those great tips. Unfortunately, we'll be there the August 24, 2024. Visiting Kobe- Osaka, Kochi, Mt. Fugi, and Hiroshima. Are these places as hot as you say?? Thanks for all your tips.
Hi Allison, how would you say the summers in Japan compare to summers in Florida? Is Japan hotter and more humid? Thank you for all the tips in this video!
It looks like Tokyo's summers are a lot like my summers. If anything, Tokyo is slightly cooler! I've been at 100 degrees the past two days, lucky to get 70s even late at night. It's not as bad as last summer though, where one day in late August hit 107, and overnight lows were often in the 80s, sometimes mid 80s. You welcome any rain you can get here in Mississippi, because that's the only time afternoon temperatures won't be at least in the 90s. As I like to describe my summers: it pours or it soars. (As in, either the rain pours, or the temperature soars!) Also, just like Japan gets typhoons, we get hurricanes. And an occasional tornado. The only thing we don't have is earthquakes. All in all though I think I would prefer Tokyo's climate since spring and fall are appreciably cooler (my climate has a bad habit of throwing lots of random hot, muggy nights-- as in, not dropping below 70 degrees-- into the non-summer seasons, occasionally even in winter)
Allison - thank you for the heads up! You mentioned rain in June...how bad is that? Do we need rain jackets and rain boots or will it be warm rain and a t-shirt is fine? And where do you suggest we look for the latest festivals? Thanks! 👊
Yeah, I had a fantasy of going to the beaches near Kamakura, but after going there...we are spoiled by Florida, for sure. The sand in Kamakura is not white. It's kinda hard-packed and brown. I felt like I was walking in an ashtray, UGH. Also hawks WILL swoop down and try to take food from your hands if you're eating. They literally appear out of nowhere.
Airism is amazing, but places like Uniqlo only have sizes up to (I think) XL in storage, and Japanese sizes tend to be smaller, so you'll have to order them online. As a tourist that's obviously not the most convenient. Genuinely so helpful, though Weirdly, coming from Central Europe, summer in Japan is obviously (?) a lot hotter and more humid, but it feels like the country is better at dealing with it. Back home barely anyone has A/C, and public transportation is miserable, but here (i.e. Osaka) it's mostly fine. I *am* spending a lot of time indoors because of busy uni time, though, or only go outside in the evening, not that it actually cools down that much at night (but at least the sunlight doesn't scorch my translucent skin) Curious how useful shio ame is, because yeah, hydration alone is just not enough, but I have no context for how many you'd actually need to eat
HI EVERYONE I HATE SUMMER HERE!!!!!! Okay the festivals are pretty rad (even though by the end of the night you are covered in sweat and bug bites) BUT!!!
ALSO!!! I added Amazon storefront links to my description!! I have US and JP ones! A bit sparse right now but I'll add more over time, so if you see something in a video you like or want to see what my recommendations are in general for skincare and such here, check it out!!!! (And let me know if it doesn't work loll) 💦💦
Yeah for sure 😂
Thanks for the tips!
Oh thanks for the links !!
I have to agree, and I am someone who generally likes the heat - see my comment below.
Can you add the sun stick to the storefronts!? 🙏🏼
If you are doing touristy things, go early! Get up at 5-6 am, then go back for a nap during the hottest part of the day. Then you’ll be rested for a nice dinner.
How you prepare for summer Japan is to live in SE Texas😂
I live in Saudi Arabia and we don’t go out very often because of the unbearable heat and hot sun , all our activities is in the night
@@inquisitvem6723 Does Texas also have humid summers? Like 80-95% humidity every day? (I lived 7+ years in Japan.)
@@marie-michellefortier2993 absolutely for SE Texas. It is hot and humid for 8-9 months out of the year here.
My friends honeymooned in Japan… in JULY without researching what Japanese summer is like. It was brutal, they were totally unprepared. I hope they go back again someday in spring or autumn! I’m going in November and I CAN’T WAIT!!!
From which country did your friends come?
@@Couch-Tomato United States, the Midwest. I mean, it gets hot & humid here but it maxes out at about 95° on the worst days. And our UV index is not as high. They said Japan was far worse!
@@danielletilliepoledance Far worse, Really? 😅 I was born and have lived here in Japan so I don't know other country’s summer. But I can say it's getting worse （hotter）especially in these years. When I was a child I played outside everyday in summer. Thanks for the information.
We traveled last year in November and early December and it was perfect! Only rained a couple of days, the temperature was in the 60s F, and the leaves were changing. I hope you have a wonderful trip :)
@@elkeyes oh that sounds amazing! I’ve been prepping since pre-pandemic so I am immensely excited! Thank you!
My first trip was in winter. Absolute bliss! I came back the following year. In summer. Yeah, everything Allison said, everything, is true. I have to admit, I underestimated the heat because I come from a hot climate too. But the heat where I’m from is dry, and I think much more manageable than humid heat.
ONE GOOD THING about summer though: enjoy he beautiful hydrangeas! They are just gorgeous! And I also love those clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds, hearing the cicadas chirp.
Summer in Japan didn’t put me off. I came back in Spring the following year.
I took my first trip to Japan this May. Allison's videos helped me prepare and make the most out of my time in Tokyo. Her channel is the best at showing you the vibe of Japan, it will look and feel just like it does here. Thank you for all of you time and effort, we all appreciate it!
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I agree! I mark up on google maps places where I want to visit next time just because she makes things looks so damn nice 😄 and I have been in tokyo twice already
I visited Japan in march this year and it was perfect weather! i got to see the cherry blossoms as well. I NEVER travel anywhere during the summer i absolutely hate the heat, and i've heard how terrible it is in Japan especially.
Cool!I want to see the cherry blossoms 🌸 so bad 😅
@@_Astrogirl_ I was extremely fortunate. The timing has to be perfect. My boss coincidentally went to Tokyo 10 days after I did, by that time the cherry blossoms were already gone.
Great tips, thank you! We visited this year in June & first week of July. It was very hot compared to Vancouver Canada! But light fabrics/moisture wicking clothes helped, sunscreen, hats and constant hydration. Drinking electrolyte drinks like Pocari Sweat or Aquarius helps too when drinking lots of water- those also come in tablets that you can add to water (some convenience stores have them). We also took advantage of AC when we could, going into stores & taking subway outside of rush hour time- love the AC on the trains! We started out somewhat early in the morning, took afternoon siesta breaks in the hottest part of the day & then went out at night when it was cooler. And of course, having a cold beer or Chu-Hi under the shade of a tree in a park helps too 😅
Still we enjoyed every sweaty second of our trip! We did get climatized part way through the trip but you’ll still be a sweaty mess- just give into it and enjoy the festivals.
I'm from Vancouver as well who visited Japan this past year.
I originally went in mid September. I knew it would be hot, but I wasn't prepared for the humidity at all.
I came back after 3 days because I was genuinely concerned about heatstroke.
I came back at the end of November and had a fantastic time.
Enjoy your Tokyo life, Allison!!! We're all so very excited and very proud of all of your accomplishments!! Stay hydrated ❣️
I agree 😂
Your from Florida so that says a lot of how tough it must be there. Don’t ever change, your vlogs are really fun to watch. 😊
I totally agree, you can travel to Japan in summer, but don't plan too many outdoor activities. I would not go outside during noon and I am only outside during daytime for 1-2h. It's nice to be outside after 7 p.m. after sunset. The festivals and fireworks are totally worth it!
From a country in SEA, I can tell you that going out for long term after 10 am is a bad idea. The heat is not your worst enemy, its the humid air.
After the sun goes down, the heat trapped in concrete would slowly rise up..
Starting the last week of my summer abroad program in Kyoto and definitely learned most of these while here! But we also found some towels meant to cool you off by getting them wet. Any water, even if the water isn't cold, will make the towel cool and then you just wrap it around your neck or whatever. It isn't like ice cold, but it was super helpful on a hike the other day! We got them at donkey next to the cooling eye masks
Great tips(& warnings). Most important tip is to stay hydrated in the summer. Heat+Humidity=Suffering. I'm with you, I don't care for summer very much(except to go fishing), but I love winter!
I went in summer, no regrets! It's sooo hot. However the festivals were amazing. We would go back to our house mid-day to cool off or hit the malls on the "death days" lol (40 degree plus days). I learned quickly, wear long skirts, no make-up and wear shoes not sandals. :D
Yeah the festivals sound like so much fun 🎉
Why did you wear shoes instead of sandals? Because of the UV-radiation?
@@kailynn4483 The sun was so hot on my skin, I almost burnt my feet. Sneakers were actually cooler!
@@kurilord This sounds painful. 😖 Thank you for your answer and explanation. 🙂
I am looking forward to the night time festivals or walks during July/Aug :)
The cooling t-shirt sprays were a life saver on our summer trip to Japan, also can't forget about pocari sweat!!
if this is not your first time to Japan, I wld recommend spending summers in the countryside or in cities like hokkaido! I was also able to climb Mount Fuji in the summer (climbing season is open for a short window)
Just arrived back from 3 weeks in Japan and it was ***hot***, but we still got out and about and did so much - it was amazing. Sunscreen, fan and water was our friend!
So I visited Japan in the summer in 2018. Was there because a long term Japanese friend of mine was back in her home town and I was invited to stay with her and her family for a few days out of my 3 week trip.
If my schedule allowed, I would go out for the day and come back to my hotel after lunch, shower and maybe have a nap and then go out in the evening again. Hotel room had AC and I would have a somewhat warm shower as well. Then back out into the very minimally slightly cooler evening lol otherwise I’d take a spare t shirt out with me to change into if I got too sweaty. Other than that I would just stay hydrated and had a couple of face towels in my bag. I love Japan in the summer though, not for the heat but for all the festivals and outdoor events that are happening.
Such helpful advice, thank you. One thing that caught me out was the adjustment to the sunrise. I started out running between 7-8-am, but then realised I was getting sunburnt. When I checked the sunrise time, I was shocked to find it was 4am and that my morning runs were the equivalent of mid-morning runs from where I come from. Needless to say, I now run earlier to avoid the UV rays and wear sunblock (which still feels crazy).
Thank you for your wonderful videos Allison; we watched so many of them to prep for our trip. We just got back from a week in Tokyo (the second week of July), and your tips and observations are perfect. We were drained almost every day from the heat and humidity, except for the day that was in the high 80s and felt good. Wish I'd had your tips before we went. The one thing you recommend but we didn't see much of was hydration. We each carried an embarrassingly large water bottle every day, but we didn't see many locals drinking constantly like we were. We'll definitely be back, but never again in summer if we can avoid it.
The one benefit; the heat and humidity killed our appetites. Pretty sure we all lost a bit of weight on the trip.
Was in Japan on a college summer program and then a post-college summer internship, so it is the only season I've spent more than.a few days in Japan. Agree with everything about the head and the humidity (and the festivals!). Only thing I'd add is a mention of the cicadas. The noise is just insane. Was fun to hear them in the background of the Tokyo Olympics coverage.
This video is very informative! I've been in Tokyo since March 2023 and these last couple months have been soooo bad! I've invested in compression shirts and undies that help keep in sweat, as I sweat far too much! I wash them weekly and they've been a life saver, but I also have been staying home since it's my first season lol, next summer I'll hit the beaches. Also, I was at the Adachi firework festival! TONS of people there, and the fireworks lasted about 80minutes!
Hi Allison thank you for sharing this. Summer is also my least favourite season and time of year, for me it’s always been the humidity that I can’t stand. My fiancé has just bought one of those neck fans and she loves it, I’ve also tried it and it’s certainly nice to have around the home if you need to cool down quickly. Autumn 🍂 has always been my favourite season and this is definitely the time of year I will be choosing for my bucket list visit to Japan in the future, I love seeing the colour changes on the trees and the temperatures go back to something more bearable. Stay cool and best wishes
Listening to Allison if you are visiting in the summer. Buy everything she said, especially the umbrella. It’s very helpful. I use it when I visit other Asian countries too. A hat sometimes just isn’t enough.
I've lived in the Tokyo Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture since 2012. When I first arrived I actually enjoyed the summer for the first two or three years as I generally like the heat and dislike cold weather. However, summers have definitely become hotter and more humid. This year is terrible. Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit. Winter if you like the cold.
Yeah I bet.I would love to come during winter ❄️
@@_Astrogirl_ Yes, if you like cold weather. Actually, the winters in the Tokyo area are quite mild. Last winter it only snowed twice, and the snow didn't stay on the ground for long. Of course the further north you go the colder it gets; Northern Honshu and Hokaido are extremely cold and snowy in the winter.
Living in Japan, I am so glad I don't live in Tokyo and don't have to travel on packed trains. Also being able to take a short drive to the cooler mountains is awesome in summer. Inaka for the win
I’m in Japan now on vacation. Been getting up early to do tourist things and then back to the hotel. When I am out I look for shade and go into stores to steal their AC, also 2 showers a day. I’m a large white / pink person. Thank you for your videos watched many in preparation. Now I just have to get the Don Q song out of my head.
Thank you for sharing, how to cope with summer in Japan. 👍🥰
For my first trip way back in 2008, we made the mistake of travelling in July/august…it was hot and humid (especially in Kyoto). Definitely recommend lots of sunscreen, lots of water (or even sodas with sugar content) and definitely ducking in and out of shops with AC…personally I didn’t find it unbearable as I live in western Sydney where temps are usually in the mid 30 degrees Celsius in summer and the sun is pretty strong here too. But the item I definitely could not recommend more is an umbrella…even if you can’t exactly afford a UV one, just one that can shade you a little is worth it. But I’m definitely investing in a UV one next time I’m there!
We were at Kawagoe yesterday and IT. WAS. RIDICULOUSLY HOT. I’m from Singapore, the land of perpetual summer, and that says a lot. I hated it yesterday. This is my 4th summer in Japan but I realised that I’ve spent it in Sapporo- which is actually quite lovely in the summer.
damn, even for a Singaporean the heat was unbearable? 🙃
i just got back form spending 2 weeks in japan for fuji rock festival and it was NOT fun being out in the heat. since it's humid, the heat lasts even into the evening! I was going out in tokyo at night and it was still 80+ degrees! this was even worse at the festival where unlike most festivals in the US, they don't have any water bottle refill stations. the only way to get water was to bring it yourself (which will run out eventually) or buy small water bottles from vendors. albeit prices for things at festivals are pretty reasonable in japan, it was still very annoying since most lines were very long.
I think when I was in tokyo it was 90+ and hot and humid all days I was there. We realistically would only want to do like 1 or 2 activities (like visit a park + lunch) before we'd need to chill in the hotel room for part of the afternoon to go back out before dinner haha
Love wet wipes - we were in Singapore recently with crazy hot temps/super high humidity and they were the best thing to have on hand. But don't use the antibacterial ones on your face! My skin reacted (pasty white girl here) to the one I used and I ended up with a chemical burn across my upper lip... super sexy (especially when it scabbed up *sob*). We loved the umbrellas - the black inner layer ones are so, so good for sun shielding.
Is 30-32 degrees C a crazy hot temperature??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for another informative video on Japan! Have a great week!
I will be in Japan for the first time ever in two weeks which I've known while planning the trip that is not the best time weather-wise, but this is the only time I can take a long vacation. I hope being accustomed to very hot summers in my city has prepped me for Japanese weather. My strategy is to visit museums and stores during the peak sun hours. I will be noting down the tips Allison has shared in my travel plan. Thanks for the video, it is very timely for my trip! :)
omg same !
Drive instead of walking. Get on Tokyo expressway. Night Tokyo is best above the ground level
How was it?
Yeah I am staying away from Japan in the summer. Sure everything is open and the days are longer but I am not down with the humidity. I plan on going in February when it is cold.
FOR REAL it sounds horrible 😅
Yeah
February is the coldest month in Japan! Really Cold! Hope you get to pick spring ( Late March, April, May) or autumn (late Sep. to Oct. early Nov.) which is much better!! 🌹
I’ve just moved to Tokyo and it really surprised me how few people wear sunglasses, considering how sunny it is currently. I’ve already got myself a fan and a parasol, and I can confirm they help! Ice cream from the combini also helps 😁
I was told by a tour guide in Osaka that sunglasses are associated with the Yakuza so many Japanese will avoid them
@@pryonic sometimes a brother just has to be able to see where he's walking and there's just simply no other way but to wear sunglasses lol
Thank you Allison for the small rays of hope to enjoy Japan during summer. I'm travelling there for June and July with my infant and husband, because of my husband's work. So we had no other choice, we thought it was going to be very hot, but the humidity everyone is talking about it's getting me nervous because of my baby. Does anyone have more tips for being a tourist, with a baby, during this season? Thank you!!!
as someone whose country's weather is constant heat and humidity, I see this as a huge win.
I'm going to Japan in March next year and I feel very happy with our choice of season to go. Especially since we're Norwegian and not used to crazy hot weather haha.
we last visited Tokyo in May 2019 when it was fairly hot, humid and rainy - but we had an air-conditioned car so anytime we felt hot we just got back in the air-conditioned car and it was sweet !
This time we're planning late August-September 2023 to northern Honshu - Tohoku - with a JR rail pass and have our fingers crossed that El Nino won't still be making life miserable there then ...
I'm planning my 8th trip to Japan in december. I can imagine how the heatwave feels like, where my country is at the equator with a high 88% humidity.
Thank you this video is great to know love your channel❤
❤ fr
I moved to Japan in December. I’m from California. Summer in Japan 🇯🇵 is really humid and hot 🥵 I stay home 🏡 all day and I go out in the evening still hot 🥵 but much better after 6 or 7 pm. this weekend I when to a festival and I never seen this many people. took as over 2hrs just to exit.
I loved the summer festivals in Japan. The Kochi Yosakoi, (although the Sapporo Yosakoi Soran festival is in June with much more pleasant weather), Tokushima Awa Odori, and the Gujo Odori are something every visitor to Japan should try to experience, even though they are during the hottest part of August. Gujo Hachiman is up in the hills so it's a little cooler, especially at night, and the dancing takes place after dark. The Kochi and Tokushima festivals can be sweltering during the day, but they cool off a little after dark even though there is dancing going on during the day.
Be prepared to be hot and sweaty when outside. I had a free unplanned day in Tokyo during my last summer trip, and had a couple of outdoor things to see. I left my hotel, walked into the street and encountered a blast furnace, worthy of a 110+F day in Las Vegas, and turned around and went back to my room to wait until the sun went down.
Been binging your videos recently, your jokes, slight awkwardness and wholesomeness are addictive 🤩 Keep thriving! ❤
😎
I did 20 summers back to back in Japan, ducking and diving in Tokyo. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Good umbrella tip, but you potentially blind others at intersections.
Jack, the Japan Alps Brit
We were in Japan two weeks ago and spent almost the entire time (10 days) outdoors including 13 hours at universal studios in Osaka and I was not bothered by it considering when I got back home to Texas and it is 105. Now my travel companions had a rough time in Japan.
Video idea: typhoon season in Japan - how your prepare, how you survive
I carry around the little towel, but I keep it damp and in a Ziploc bag. It's great for wiping off that stickiness and then the water evaporates and cools your skin. Of course you need to rinse it as often as possible to keep it from getting smelly.
I loved going to matsuri near where we lived and near my Sobo's home.
I agree with the he hayashichuka. My mother used to make it quite frequently during the summer, with a freshly sliced cucumbers, ham and thinly cooked eggs.
I agree with your suggestion the rivers in the mountains. It can often be many degrees cooler and the water very refreshing.
At least when I was growing up. It was fun. Is trying Japanese traditional foods such as yakisoba, takoyaki and taiyaki.
Sometimes going into the local markets you can pick up potato croquettes. They make a great snack, especially when they're fresh.
I love the sun. I am very tanned. No sunburn of course 🙃
I think it's a pity to live in a country blesses with good weather and avoid the sun at all costs... 😥 but yeah, I spend holidays in summee at the sea and nor in a city. November for Japan sounds wonderful.
can't overstate how bad it is from July on (yes I mean July 1st July). don't come if you can help it. i recommend bringing an umbrella (i didn't have the sun kind but even regular umbrellas work ok enough just for the shade). it's worth it. Yes i've seen a few japanese guys of all ages (teens to working adults to elderly) carrying umbrellas. just do what you need to do to feel comfortable
This was so informative and funny, Allison. You could seriously do comedy!!
I came to your channel for your Japanese learning tips, now I’m addicted to your vlogs. 😅
I live in Las Vegas and work outside. the summer gets really hot here too(minus the humidity thankfully) but those cooling towels really help. I'll refrigerate mine and wrap it loosely like a scarf around my neck. it does have to be refreshed every couple of hours but it is a lifesaver. mine is a spongey type material. I've tried the cloth ones and they don't work very well
Where I live it’s so hot they said it’s equivalent to the rain forest. 43 Celsius and 70% humidity it’s brutal!
My first trip to Tokyo was late September and the temperature was only around 25C but the humidity was around 90% and it was tough. I live where Summer temperatures often get to around 40C but with relatively low humidity, and I would take that over what I experienced in Tokyo! My last two trips (and my upcoming trip) have been in Tokyo's Winter, and I loved it (plus I get a bonus of missing a couple of weeks of the hot Summer where I live!).
I bought those cold neck rings when I was in Japan a few weeks ago. Unfortunatelly the coolness don't last long. I would recomend the cooling towel. Just wet them in the restroom when they dried up and they'll make you cool again.
SO TRUE. A coworker just visited and i had to warn her. Hopeful i will get to visit again one day outside of summer lol 😂 i keep coming in this hellish weather 😅
I almost fainted from heat in DisneyLand from September last year 😅 I had to rest in their emergency room
I can only visit in summer this year but I would really love to visit Japan during autumn ❤
wish me luck!! my first trip to japan will be in JULY. i wouldve picked autumn if i could, but im going with my school community so i didnt get a choice.
me watching this having struggled hanging my washing out in the heat. It's so sticky. The bore cooling wipes are actually a god send when out and abut though
Damm that sounds crazy but keep your self hydrated and love your videos
I love heat, my husband prefers the cold. I very much want to travel in summer to hear the cicadas and experience the summer festivals. So I’ve been trying to warn him as much as possible for our trip next year. He hasn’t been worried about it as much as I thought he would, but I doubt he won’t really know how bad it is until he experiences it. I’m prepared for lots of complaining 😂
Planning on going in June for the first time. I'd say I'm prepared for Japan's summers after having lived in FL for a good amount of years...but then I've learned you are also from Florida and still share your disdain for Japan summers. I feel unprepared! I'm used to being sweaty and not caring, but I would feel a bit embarrassed about being sweaty around Japanese people, especially since I've heard they have sensitive noses to body odor?
Oh I w😅sh I had if seen this a few weeks ago. Got back from my 1st Japan trip a few days ago. Yep it was sooooo hot. I do always have an umbrella with me so that was good but seeing your video before hand would of prepared me more. One thing I found hard was lack of seating anywhere. I’ll bring a portable seat with me next time.
Most helpful video I have watched in a long time. Thank you!!
Just got back from Japanese Summer. I'm from SEA. I thought I was prepared. NOPE. 😂
To anyone looking to visit Japan, Fun thing that you can do is to politely observe what people dress & bring, then just copy them. Only non-obvious thing they do is applying the sunscreen, but you can quickly assume that girls are putting shitton amount of that to keep their skin that bright.
The only thing I'm not sure if its working is the cool neck ring, since I didn't see that much people using it (around 1 in 20 in Osaka)
dang... will be going in there next week and staying there until the end of june...... fingers crossed.....
Ill be going in 16 days until the end of july LMAO Its gonna be fiiiiiiiine
Was just in Japan and can relate.
Everything was gross and the umbrellas were awesome- like walking in the shade.
But we couldn’t do half of what we wanted to do
awesome! thank u for the tips! we’re arriving in tokyo on september 20 hopefully its not that hot.
We here at the moment from rainy London, it's so hot and humid here! Unfortunately my daughter who is with me could only come when school had finished so we had no choice😢. Trying to enjoy the city still
Going in June to see our son and dil who live there. I really wanted to go in March or April but my husband is a school teacher so not enough time off to go other than summer. We are from the South in the US so I understand heat and humidity. It's part of our summer lives too.
Thanks for all the great info. All seasons have pros and cons. Just more cons with summer
I made the mistake of visiting Japan in mid September.
It was still 35 degrees with 90% humidity.
I came home after 3 days amd booked another trip for the end of November and had a great time .
She's right. Summer in Japan is no joke.
Great tips which I also find work well in MUGGY NYC summers which are dreadful. Thanks
Hi Allison, I am also from Florida. It has been not stop ridiculously HOT here. How does the heat and humidity in Japan compare to that of Florida?
About the same but you’re outside walking on concrete all day instead of in AC 😂
I highly recommend the Gatsby "ice type deodorant body wipes." They don't just wipe off sweat--they're infused with some kind of cooling menthol that makes your skin feel cool and minty after wiping yourself down. The sensation lasts for a minute or two and is quite refreshing.
This video was really packed with a lot nice info. Will rewatch in the future for sure 👌
I hate the heat and humidity so great tip.
I have been coming to Japan for the last 17 years mostly in summers... like now! But i do enjoy nights in the summer despite that is hot… in tokyo there is at least wind! i would avoid Kyoto though
Yeaaaaaa I bet
Interesting, and yeah, I don't want to do anything outside today. All of the festivals are happening next week, and I am looking forward to the food, AND I'm dancing in the parade. I don't have many breaks where I can travel, so I have to do it in summer if I want to travel.
Uh, the beaches. This time, I've got Atami on my itinerary. I don't know anyone here with good advice, so I look at maps, and then photos, and then maybe mention things to people and see what they say. I also can't drive yet, so I'm beholden to the train system. Have you ever been to Atami?
This is the first year Festivals are back😅 I completely forgot about them! No plans to go to one…well does Pokémon GO Fest count?
It gets really hot and humid where I live in the states. The other day the feels like was 121 Fahrenheit with real temp being mid to high 90’s with very high humidity, like 95% humidity. It’s not always like that, we have some lucky days but typically it’s very hot and humid for a good couple months in summer. I cannot wait until fall.
Sounds like Japanese and Korean summers are hotter than most American summers. Texas, Arizona, and Florida are where it gets the hottest in the United States. July and August are the worst months in United States during the summer because it's so hot.
You didn’t mention that the temperature doesn’t drop at night…or if it does, it’s only a couple of degrees. Also, the neck towel - wrap 3 or 4 of the tiny ice packs that you get when you buy refrigerated sweets in the center, secure with rubber bands and put around your neck. Just refreeze them when you get home. Or, if your hat is loose, wrap some in a small hand towel and out them inside your hat. Probably won’t go with business dress but definitely ok for casual wear. You didn’t mention the long gloves that you can buy from ¥100 stores as quick arm covers to prevent sunburn Loose clothing is a must. I preferred mid calf culotte type pants (or is that skirts) and loose t shirts. If you are worried about losing your parasol/umbrella, buy a length of hair elastic and a hair scrunchy from ¥100 store and attach the parasol to your wrist. Also useful for when you drop it as don’t have to bend down to pick it up. Use baby powder (adult body powder is hard to find) to avoid heat rash. Soothe tired, aching legs and feet with the herbal patches from the drug store. Wear sandals but carry packs of bandaids as they will rub when your feet swell in the heat.
Thanks for this informative video, I really enjoyed this and all the other ones I already watched. My girlfriend and I will visit Japan in mid-September and I really hope that the temperatures will go down a little bit until than. If not.. now we're prepared :D
A few days ago I stayed at a ryokan in the mountains. It was a beautiful house, but you know old homes have inner courtyards and verandas (ベランダ) which are usually just...open. So the room where I slept was cool, but the rest of the house was NOT. It cooled down a bit at night. You're right, traditional restaurants and hotels are still hot--hot in the hallways, hot in the lobby. I'm talking about small, business hotel-type places, not big fancy hotels.
Wow, yeah. My trip got postponed twice because of Covid in 2021 and 2022. The borders where still closed in 2023 and my church was going to Turkey, so I figured, why not🤷? Once I bought the trip the borders to Japan opened up for tourist groups. After all that I just wanted to go when I could go and made plans for June (to Japan). Nwo I'm learning it could be rainy season, it's hot and you being a Florida girl, like me, ( from Browar, just north of Miami Dade) are telling how hot it can be.. yeah, I'm guessing it will be. But whatever, I'll just make the best of it and take all the advice I can get and hope for the best.
im going in july its my third time and my first summer i am excited to see the lush green and beaches f it we ride
Thank you Allison for those great tips. Unfortunately, we'll be there the August 24, 2024. Visiting Kobe- Osaka, Kochi, Mt. Fugi, and Hiroshima. Are these places as hot as you say?? Thanks for all your tips.
lmao I loved the intro - set the tone real good for Japanese summers xD
Thank you for the tips, and I hope you find some relief yourself.
Hi Allison, how would you say the summers in Japan compare to summers in Florida? Is Japan hotter and more humid? Thank you for all the tips in this video!
For people traveling - just get out of Tokyo if you can! Maybe Nagano, or Hokkaido...
It looks like Tokyo's summers are a lot like my summers. If anything, Tokyo is slightly cooler! I've been at 100 degrees the past two days, lucky to get 70s even late at night. It's not as bad as last summer though, where one day in late August hit 107, and overnight lows were often in the 80s, sometimes mid 80s.
You welcome any rain you can get here in Mississippi, because that's the only time afternoon temperatures won't be at least in the 90s. As I like to describe my summers: it pours or it soars. (As in, either the rain pours, or the temperature soars!)
Also, just like Japan gets typhoons, we get hurricanes. And an occasional tornado. The only thing we don't have is earthquakes. All in all though I think I would prefer Tokyo's climate since spring and fall are appreciably cooler (my climate has a bad habit of throwing lots of random hot, muggy nights-- as in, not dropping below 70 degrees-- into the non-summer seasons, occasionally even in winter)
In total, I've spent about 6 months in Japan over 8 trips, but still haven't been there in summer. I really want to go for the summer festivals.
Allison - thank you for the heads up! You mentioned rain in June...how bad is that? Do we need rain jackets and rain boots or will it be warm rain and a t-shirt is fine? And where do you suggest we look for the latest festivals? Thanks! 👊
Yeah, I had a fantasy of going to the beaches near Kamakura, but after going there...we are spoiled by Florida, for sure. The sand in Kamakura is not white. It's kinda hard-packed and brown. I felt like I was walking in an ashtray, UGH. Also hawks WILL swoop down and try to take food from your hands if you're eating. They literally appear out of nowhere.
Airism is amazing, but places like Uniqlo only have sizes up to (I think) XL in storage, and Japanese sizes tend to be smaller, so you'll have to order them online. As a tourist that's obviously not the most convenient. Genuinely so helpful, though
Weirdly, coming from Central Europe, summer in Japan is obviously (?) a lot hotter and more humid, but it feels like the country is better at dealing with it. Back home barely anyone has A/C, and public transportation is miserable, but here (i.e. Osaka) it's mostly fine. I *am* spending a lot of time indoors because of busy uni time, though, or only go outside in the evening, not that it actually cools down that much at night (but at least the sunlight doesn't scorch my translucent skin)
Curious how useful shio ame is, because yeah, hydration alone is just not enough, but I have no context for how many you'd actually need to eat
As I will be traveling to Osaka coming this morning, expecting that the weather would be scorching.