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Read on for some simple yet effective advice on how to turn the most dreadful season, for a lot of us, into not just bearable, but more than that—an enjoyable experience.
Being a Tokyo resident for nearly half of my life I have acquired a number of simple solutions that will lift some weather-related stress off your shoulders. These are rarely talked about pieces of advice that definitely deserve more attention. Because, at the end of the day, it’s the little things that matter.
Now, let me share them with you.
Skincare
The weather is changing and so should your skincare routine. It’s time to take a flexible approach to product choice and application. To avoid having your expensive face creams melting off your face and sucked up into a tissue or handkerchief, reduce morning skincare to the bare minimum. The lightest moisturizer and sunscreen will be sufficient while humidity will do the rest and help with a natural dewy finish. In the evening, take the more is more approach and layer up. If you sleep with the air conditioner on, applying an oil-based heavy-duty moisturizer as a final step is particularly important as it will prevent your skin from resembling a dry umeboshi (fermented Japanese plum) by the time you wake up.
Bath mat
Meet your new friend, the always dry, 珪藻土バスマット(keisodo basu matto; “diatomite bath mat”.) Made from a highly absorbent natural rock called diatomaceous earth, this mat is an effective, safe and eco-friendly replacement to that never drying fabric bath mat. Shaped as a solid block, it has a smooth surface comfortable for your feet. The material immediately absorbs water preventing any leakage and helps to keep the floor underneath always dry. Anyone who’s had to deal with the damage caused by a wet bath mat kept on a wooden floor will understand. You can find the diatomite bath mat in furniture stores like Nitori, or online on Amazon, Rakuten or Mercari. Savvy tip: diatomite also makes exceptional coasters and shoe drying sacs as well.
Shoe storage
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- https://savvytokyo.com/
12 Comments
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JeffLee
My summer must-haves are Dettol anti-bacterial soap, which you cant buy in Japan, but I pick them up in Thailand and Singapore.
Irish Spring has a deodorizing shower gel, which you cant buy in Japan but I pick up in Canada or the U.S.
I don't know about the small one, but I stopped buying Uniqlo umbrellas because their stems bend easily and stay that way. You have to bend them back into shape, and that usually causes misalignments with the moving parts inside the stem to the point the mechanisms seize up. They end up in the bid after about a month. Maybe the small one is different?
I think I read that dry mode uses more electricity than cool. Maybe not a good idea in this summer's power crunch.
Mr Kipling
My top tip is an airline ticket to somewhere much cooler. Come back in September.
marcels
My top tip is don't wear long cardigan sweaters wth long pants and long tshirts with socks and shoes i see so many people here in Japan wearing for the season not for the weather,even though its summer
browny1
We use a diatomite bath mat - on the 3rd one now - and they're great.
No damp, smelly mats anymore.
But I never thought of it as a "summer thing", as useful all year round esp winter.
wallace
We don't use bath mats anymore. We use a towel. Greek organic soap made with olive oil and herbs keeps a nice body smell all day. UV barrier and a large straw hat outdoors. Talc all over after a shower. Dry myself off with a small fan. Cream around the lower level to prevent rashes. Daily check of shoes in a shoe cabinet in the dorma.
Sleep with an ice pillow from the freezer.
venze
Take note of the following possible scenarios:
1 degree-rise in average global temperature would mean people have to use more energy to cool down.
3 degree would mean many people could die from the heat.
5 degree would usher in the beginning of the end for all..
painkiller
Read on for some simple yet effective advice on how to turn the most dreadful season, for a lot of us, into not just bearable, but more than that—an enjoyable experience.
Since those 8 or 9 super hot days in June, July has been cooler, or more easy to tolerate, than other summers in the past.
TheDalaiLamasBifocals
Keks down
Legs Akimbo
Aircon up the jocks
Sorted
GuruMick
I have a couple of things I like to do
There's a great rock pool near me that fills with cool water on high tide.
Or a country stream thats always cold, even icy
Finally, a waterfall "system " with cold, fresh water pools everywhere.
Sorry...cant give away my secret spots
hattorikun
Zenkankucho or all room ac is the best. We can’t come back to separate room ac. Otherwise, stay indoors, in the shade, drink water, lots of it. Do your exercises either early in the AM or in the evening. Shower regularly. There are regions in the world where summer is a lot worse and longer.
The Apartment
Don't need any tips!! beacause we are not allowed into Japan!!!
kyushubill
Ice cold beer and blast the A/C.