SORABYCO | Life in Japan

Onigiri is one of the easiest things to grab from a convenience store in Japan. We often buy it when we are out for the day, along with sandwiches or bento. But one summer experience made me realize I had been a little too casual about how I stored it. My husband and I bought some convenience store food and ate it in the car. One onigiri was left over. The air conditioning was running and the car felt cool, so I didn't think much about it. When we got home, I put the leftover onigiri in the refrigerator and we ate it the next day. I felt fine, but my husband later had an upset stomach. I have no way of knowing whether the onigiri had anything to do with it or whether something else was responsible. Still, it left me with a question I had never really thought about before: How long can onigiri sit out in summer? The short answer is that there isn't a single time limit that makes every onigiri safe or unsafe. In summer, don't rely on the clock alone. Think about how the onig...

I never really thought about my air conditioner’s airflow direction until one summer night in Japan. I wanted to sleep with the AC on, but I hate having cold air blow directly onto my face. So I tilted the vent upward and left it there. Then I started wondering whether I was giving up better cooling just to avoid the breeze. After all, cold air sinks and warm air rises. Wouldn’t that mean the AC should point down in summer and up in winter? I was wrong. For most homes, the basic rule is simple: Season Best Airflow Direction Summer cooling Up or slightly horizontal Winter heating Down That small adjustment can make the temperature feel more even and may help your air conditioner run more efficiently. Best Air Conditioner Airflow Direction in Summer In summer, the best AC airflow direction is usually upward or slightly horizontal. Cool air naturally moves downward. When the air conditioner sends it across the upper part of the space, it gradually settles and spreads through the living ar...

One of the least pleasant parts of summer in Japan is opening the kitchen trash can and immediately noticing the smell. Fish scraps are especially bad, but I was also surprised by how quickly watermelon and melon rinds could begin to smell. During Japan’s hot and humid summer, even a trash can with a tightly closed lid may become unpleasant before the next garbage collection day. When I first moved to Japan, I thought attaching a deodorizer to the lid would be enough. It helped a little, but it did not solve the real problem. The smell usually came from moisture and food scraps sitting in a warm kitchen for several days. After dealing with this for many summers, I slowly developed a routine using newspaper, baking soda, small plastic bags, and even the freezer. None of these habits began as part of a carefully planned system. I simply added each one after another leaking garbage bag or unpleasant smell. These are the methods that have remained part of our summer routine. Using Newspape...

Sora had been staring at the living room ceiling for several minutes. I called her name, but she did not even look at me. She just kept meowing at the same spot. At first, I thought she had found a tiny moth or a spider. My three Bengal cats often notice insects long before I do, so this was not completely unusual. Still, something about the way she refused to move made me curious. I walked over, followed her eyes, and looked up. That was when I froze. There was a large cockroach clinging to the ceiling near the window. I have lived in Japan for many years, but I still cannot get used to seeing cockroaches in summer. We do not see them often in our home—usually only once or twice a year—but every time one appears, it feels just as shocking as the first time. And this one was not small. It was big enough to make me stand there for a moment thinking only one thing: Please do not fly. My Cat Found a Cockroach on the Ceiling Once I realized what Sora had been watching, I rushed to get the ...

Every summer in Japan, I end up doing the same thing. I stand in the living room with the air conditioner remote in my hand and hesitate. Should I press Cooling? Should I use Dry Mode instead? Would Eco Mode help lower the electricity bill? Japanese summers are not only hot. They are also incredibly humid, which makes choosing the right air conditioner setting feel more complicated than it should. For years, I mostly pressed whichever button seemed right at the time. We also have three Bengal cats at home, so I cannot think only about saving electricity. I want to keep the room comfortable for them, especially when we are out of the house. I used to assume that Dry Mode was always cheaper than Cooling Mode. Then I started reading different explanations online and became even more confused. Some articles said Cooling Mode used less electricity. Others said Dry Mode was more economical. Eco Mode added another question because I thought it might automatically choose between Cooling and Dr...

When I first moved to Japan, I was relieved to see insect screens on almost every window. I thought that as long as the screen was closed, bugs would stay outside. That confidence lasted until I found a tiny flying insect in the living room one summer evening. The window screen was closed. The front door had not been left open. I could not see any obvious gap. So where had it come from? Since then, I have asked myself the same question many times during summer in Japan. I am not very good with bugs, so even a small one can make me jump. My three Bengal cats, on the other hand, react as if something incredibly exciting has happened. One cat runs under the table, another stares at the ceiling, and suddenly all three are chasing the same tiny bug through the living room. It is funny for a few seconds. Then one of them tries to catch it with their mouth, and I end up chasing both the bug and the cats. That was what finally made me look into how bugs get inside Japanese homes, even when the...

My first summer in Japan was difficult for a reason I had not expected. The heat itself was manageable, but the humidity was not. Even after sunset, the air felt heavy, the bedding felt slightly damp, and I often woke up in the middle of the night feeling tired and sticky. At first, I tried to solve the problem by lowering the air-conditioner temperature. Over time, however, I realized that managing humidity was just as important as cooling the room. After spending many summers in Japan, I now rely on a few simple habits that help me sleep more peacefully during hot and humid nights. Why Is It Hard to Sleep During Summer in Japan? Japan’s summer climate combines high temperatures with high humidity. Before sleep, the body naturally releases heat and gradually lowers its core temperature. When the bedroom is warm and humid, sweat does not evaporate as easily, making it harder for the body to cool down. This is why humid nights in Japan can feel exhausting even when the temperature does ...

When I first moved to Japan, I assumed that a hot, sunny day meant any beach was ready for swimming. I later learned that many Japanese beaches have an official swimming period called Umi Biraki , or “opening of the sea.” You can visit the coast outside this period, but lifeguards, marked swimming zones, showers, changing rooms, and beach houses may not be available. For visitors unfamiliar with local sea conditions, going during the official season is usually the safer and easier choice. When Is Beach Season in Japan? There is no single opening date for the entire country. Okinawa’s season can begin in spring, while most beaches around Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba officially open in July. Many mainland beaches close at the end of August, although some remain open into early September. For example, Zushi Beach is open from July 3 to September 6, 2026 . Kamakura’s three official beaches—Yuigahama, Zaimokuza, and Koshigoe—operate from July 1 to August 31 , from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Becau...

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...