SORABYCO | Life in Japan

When I first moved to Japan, I assumed summer would be the easiest season for laundry. Hot weather should mean clothes dry quickly, right? After living here for many years, though, I have learned that summer laundry in Japan can be surprisingly difficult. Even after the rainy season officially ends, the sky can stay gray for most of the day. It may be sunny in the morning, rain for a short time in the afternoon, and then clear up again as if nothing happened. For me, sudden rain is not the only reason I prefer indoor drying. There are several fields near my house, and on windy days, fine soil can blow toward the house. It is especially noticeable on dark T-shirts, towels, and bedding. Seeing small specks of dirt on laundry that had just dried outside was what finally made me stop relying on outdoor drying. Over time, one spare room in our home gradually became our laundry room. There is no special equipment in it—just drying racks, the air conditioner, and a standing fan—but having a s...

“Remember to drink water regularly.” During summer in Japan, you hear this advice almost everywhere. It appears on television, at train stations, on weather apps, and in heatstroke warnings. And for good reason. Japan’s summer heat and humidity can be exhausting, especially for foreign residents who are not used to the climate. Even a short walk to the station can leave you sweating much more than expected. But while dehydration and heatstroke receive a lot of attention, there is another question that sometimes comes up: Can you actually drink too much water? Yes, it is possible, although water intoxication is uncommon during normal daily life. Drinking an excessive amount of water can contribute to dangerously low sodium levels in the blood, a condition called hyponatremia. In severe cases, it can become a medical emergency. I became curious about this because of my husband. He sometimes goes for hours without drinking much. Then, once he realizes he is thirsty, he can finish an entir...

Waking up tired after what should have been a full night’s sleep is something I experience much more often during summer in Japan. Even after turning on the air conditioner, I sometimes wake up because I feel too warm. Then, when I lower the temperature, the room can become uncomfortably cold by morning. Japan’s summer heat is difficult not only because of the temperature, but also because of the humidity. During the hottest months, many areas experience nettaiya (熱帯夜) , or tropical nights, when the temperature remains at 25°C or higher throughout the night. After living in Japan for many years, I have learned that sleeping comfortably is not simply about setting the air conditioner as low as possible. Cooling bedding, better air circulation, lightweight sleepwear, and heat-blocking curtains can all help make the bedroom feel more comfortable. In this article, I will introduce seven cooling products that are commonly available in Japan and may help foreigners living here sleep more com...

Every summer, I catch myself asking the same question. “Was Japan always this hot?” Like many countries, Japan has experienced hotter summers in recent years. News reports about record-breaking temperatures and heatstroke warnings have become increasingly common. Before moving to Japan, I had already experienced hot summers in South Korea, so I assumed summers in Japan would feel much the same. I was wrong. The first thing that surprised me was not the temperature itself. It was the humidity. Even on days when the thermometer reads 35°C (95°F), the heat can feel much more intense than the number suggests. After only a few minutes outside, my clothes can be soaked with sweat. Even after sunset, the air often remains warm, heavy, and sticky. After living in Japan for many years, I have realized that understanding the climate is just as important as checking the weather forecast. If you are planning to visit Japan in summer, or if you have recently moved here, knowing why Japanese summers...