6 Tips to Survive Winter in Japan
Fight the Japanese cold by following these simple tips!
Winter is coming to Japan and it’s time to change the clothes in the closet and start using the heat.Winter in Japan is very cold and difficult to cope with. Especially for those of us who come from warmer countries, with less cold winters. If this is going to be your first winter in Japan, you should know that in general at this time of year the temperatures drop a lot and it’s common that even in cities like Tokyo it snows sometimes.
Perhaps in Japan it’s not as cold as in Beyond the Wall, and people from cold countries are used to these temperatures but it’s never a bad idea to shelter from the cold and warm up so as not to get sick (especially now with covid-19). If you are currently living in Japan or you have to come on a trip (difficult now but not impossible), in this post I bring you 6 ideas to survive the Japanese winter.
1. Spend the afternoons under a kotatsu
Surely fans of anime and Japanese movies know what a kotatsu is but for those who don’t know, explained in a simple way the kotatsu (炬燵) is a stove table.
It consists of a low table covered by a thin futon (布団) that has an electric brazier built into the bottom. You could say it’s like snuggling with a blanket on the couch, but that blanket has a built-in electric fire pit. A thinner futon is placed on the floor so that people can sit directly on the floor, which is quite common in Japan since the tatami was traditionally used, and some houses still use it today.
A very typical family picture of these dates is that of a family gathered on the futon, playing games or eating tangerines.
If in your home it’s impossible to have a kotatsu, another cheap and simple solution is to buy a yutanpo. Yutanpo is the Japanese traditional hot water bottle to heat the bed before going to sleep. I think that hot water bottles are something that were used in most countries, and not something exclusive to Japan. But while in many places it’s already something old and not used, in Japan they are still something current and there are even with different designs, such as cute animals. They can be easily found in many departments, home stores or different kind of stores. For example in Tokyu Hands they have a section with Yutanpo.
In case someone doesn’t know these bottles or doesn’t know how to use them, simply put hot water inside and cover the bottle with clothing to avoid direct contact with the skin (some yutanpo already come with their own clothing cover). An hour before going to sleep, put it in the bed under the sheets and so when you go to sleep the bed is warm. It can also be used on the sofa and put under a sheet near your feet for example, or buy smaller models that can also be used to warm hands or feets.
2. Buy UNIQLO Heattech clothes
One of Uniqlo’s most famous products and one that has managed to differentiate itself from other brands, is its HEATTECH clothing series. Thanks to the use of technology, this clothing maintains body heat, helping you not get cold in winter. And there are all kinds of products! From underwear shirts to jeans or normal trousers to leggings, socks and much more. In some of the products there are also three levels, depending on whether they heat more or less.
In addition to its HEATTECH series, UNIQLO also has many other very warm and comfortable clothes, so if you have a store near your home or work I recommend you go take a look!
What to Buy at UNIQLO in Japan : Winter
3. Warm up using kairo or heat packs
Kairo (カイãƒ) or hokkairo (ホッカイãƒ) are one of the star products in winter in Japan. They consist of a small heat patch designed to be worn on the area of the body that is needed. There are two types, some that are glued to the body (although it’s not recommended to stick them directly on the skin in case it causes burns) and others that are designed to carry in pockets. The latter last considerably longer than the former, and reach higher temperatures.
So when the first cold days arrive in all the convenience stores (konbini), drug stores, stations and supermarkets they already begin to sell this product. Besides being useful, they are very cheap: around 100 yen per unit or even 300 yen for 10 units. These two characteristics together are probably the cause of its success. Obviously they can only be used once, but for 100 yen I think it’s a good investment!
