Minato Chie-Fisher
Finally, school’s almost out! Right after the excruciating week of finals, we finally get our well deserved two month break. Most of you probably have plans for the upcoming vacation, whether that’s an exciting trip half way across the world, staying somewhere in the country, staying around your neighborhood, or a mix of all three, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to it. From the very first day back at school, I already anticipate any approaching break from it; but most especially summer, and I’m sure most of you do too.
However, if you are one of those staying in Japan, we can all agree that summer isn’t all sunshine and rainbows (well, sort of if you take it literally). Sure, we’ve all missed the heat, and spring isn’t exactly what you would call predictable when it comes to weather, but summer in Japan can also be a nightmare, especially if you aren’t used to it. First comes tsuyu (梅雨), the rainy season which starts around June and goes on until mid-July. So it’s rainy and humid, but still hot. Lovely. Then, comes the real heat of summertime. From July till August, summer in Japan is hot hot hot. The temperature gets well above thirty degrees (celsius) during the hottest months and only gets to about twenty degrees for the lows. So yes, it may not be that hot compared to summer in other parts of the world, but combine those temperatures with the humidity, and it feels ten times hotter. Especially this year. Meteorologists predict that Summer 2023 might have above-average temperatures, “with a 50% probability of above-normal temperatures forecast for northern and eastern Japan,” as reported by The Japan Times (Osumi, 2023) . Not only is tsuyu (梅雨) going to come a bit later than Japan is used to, the highs will be even higher!
But never fear, for I am here! …To give you tips on how to stay cool and comfortable in Summer 2023.
First things first, dress accordingly! Sometimes it’s going to be so hot and humid you’ll want to be naked, trust me. So do the next best thing and wear your best summer clothes that let you breathe the most. School is out, that means NO MORE DRESS CODE! (unless you have strict parents). So go ahead and let your style run free while staying cool at the same time.
Next, eat summer food. By that, I mean ice cream, watermelon, other tropical fruits, and some foods specific to Japan, like kakigori (かき氷). Not only are they delicious, they’ll keep your body temperature on the low side and they’ll probably distract you from the uncomfortable humidity for the time being. To be honest, when the humidity is so high, the best thing to do is have a distraction, like the foods mentioned above.
Image credit: https://www.japandigest.de/reisen/essen/essen/kakigori/
Wait, don’t forget! Heat and summer also means you need to stay safe. Remember, wear sunscreen, put on hats, bring a fan or a nice cool towel with you, and most importantly, STAY HYDRATED! If you don’t feel up to it, stay inside with your A/C on full blast. Heatstroke is serious, people, be careful out there.
Although Japan’s summer heat may be quite gruesome, don’t let it interfere with your well-deserved summer break. As we venture into Summer 2023, let’s seize the moment, stay cool (and safe), and cherish the lasting memories that await us.
Bibliography
Osumi, Magdalena. “Japan Set for Scorching Summer with Above-Average Temperatures Predicted.” The Japan Times, 31 May 2022, www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/05/31/national/summer-above-average-temperature/. Accessed 23 May 2023.