Arriving in the (at times brutal) midsummer...
it's easy to cool down if you follow some of these simple tips:
Air Conditioner – Has a cooling and dehumidifer mode https://blog.gaijinpot.com/using-japanese-air-conditioner/ .
Can be expensive, but do not get heat stroke by trying to save on your power bill!
Fans – Get a few of these and set them up around the rooms in your house to circulate air from the air conditioner or from the windows.
Spray bottles – Misting yourself down and then sitting in front of a fan or open window is a quick way to cool down!
Go shopping – The shopping centers are kept at very brisk temperatures in the summer to attract shoppers from the oven that outdoors has become.
Stay hydrated – Don't become a victim of heat stroke-- stay hydrated. The best liquid to drink is room temperature liquid as cold liquid constructs the lungs.
Drink a hot tea – It seems counter-intuitive, but the heat will cause you to sweat which will cool down your core.
Take a cold shower/bath – Nothing will bring down your core temperature better than a cold shower of bath. While the shower has a temperature knob to regulate what comes out of your water heater, if you notice that your tub only fills at 38C and no lower, like me you will have to improvise. Fill your tub up to about half way then hit the "ぬるめる(nurumeru - cool)" button a few times to add cold water. Or, use a bucket from the tap.
Go swimming – look for pools or beaches nearby, or take a dip in beautiful Lake Biwa!
Go mountain climbing – The base is hot, but the top is much cooler!
Use ice packs – some clothes sold during summer even have pockets for these to keep you cool.
Carry a sweat towel – Sometimes having sweat in your face makes you feel even worse than the heat! Always carry a towel to keep your forehead dry.
Cool Biz – Follow the Japanese and ditch your tie and jacket! This is the season for business casual! T-Shirts are still (generally) out, but polos, short sleeve blouses, etc. are in! Ask your school what is appropriate during the summer.
it's easy to cool down if you follow some of these simple tips:
Air Conditioner – Has a cooling and dehumidifer mode https://blog.gaijinpot.com/using-japanese-air-conditioner/ .
Can be expensive, but do not get heat stroke by trying to save on your power bill!
Fans – Get a few of these and set them up around the rooms in your house to circulate air from the air conditioner or from the windows.
Spray bottles – Misting yourself down and then sitting in front of a fan or open window is a quick way to cool down!
Go shopping – The shopping centers are kept at very brisk temperatures in the summer to attract shoppers from the oven that outdoors has become.
Stay hydrated – Don't become a victim of heat stroke-- stay hydrated. The best liquid to drink is room temperature liquid as cold liquid constructs the lungs.
Drink a hot tea – It seems counter-intuitive, but the heat will cause you to sweat which will cool down your core.
Take a cold shower/bath – Nothing will bring down your core temperature better than a cold shower of bath. While the shower has a temperature knob to regulate what comes out of your water heater, if you notice that your tub only fills at 38C and no lower, like me you will have to improvise. Fill your tub up to about half way then hit the "ぬるめる(nurumeru - cool)" button a few times to add cold water. Or, use a bucket from the tap.
Go swimming – look for pools or beaches nearby, or take a dip in beautiful Lake Biwa!
Go mountain climbing – The base is hot, but the top is much cooler!
Use ice packs – some clothes sold during summer even have pockets for these to keep you cool.
Carry a sweat towel – Sometimes having sweat in your face makes you feel even worse than the heat! Always carry a towel to keep your forehead dry.
Cool Biz – Follow the Japanese and ditch your tie and jacket! This is the season for business casual! T-Shirts are still (generally) out, but polos, short sleeve blouses, etc. are in! Ask your school what is appropriate during the summer.
and the coming of winter a few months later...
Even if you’ve previously lived in the most god-forsaken blizzard-visited spots of the world, don’t think that you will be adequately prepared for winter in Shiga! The lack of central heating and insulation in buildings will have you thinking Canada, Scotland or Scandinavia were a paradise of warmth and comfort. Don’t despair though, just check out our handy hints on keeping warm in winter!
A great reference guide over how to heat your apartment is available here (the aircon is a safe bet for electrical safety!). Using the aircon is expensive but make sure you don't make yourself ill trying to save on power. The aircon can dry the air out so also consider a humidifier!
blog.gaijinpot.com/weathering-a-cold-japanese-winter-for-new-alts/
Kairo – sachets of granules that self-heat when you shake them up – great to put in your pockets to keep your hands warm, and you can even buy ones with a sticky panel to stick between layers of clothes. Good for beating the cold in school.
Layer your blankets Buy a heated blanket – This is one of the most economical ways to go. However, heated blankets in Japan aren't very good and also can be quite expensive. We recommend bringing one from home or having one sent.
Adopt the ‘Pick a Room’ Philosophy – Particularly if you live in a house or larger apartment, heat one room, shut the screen doors tight and carry out most of your daily activities there.
Insulate your windows - draft-proof windows and doors with spongy tape, or plastic wrapping the windows with stuff you can get from the hardware store. Heavier curtains are also an idea.
Make Friends With The School Librarian – Even in the most freezing of schools the library always has really good kerosene heaters and is the warmest place to be.
Get a full-body animal suit from Don Quijote or Amazon – They often include a hood and make great pyjamas.
If you have a car, here is some good information about winter driving.
Even if you’ve previously lived in the most god-forsaken blizzard-visited spots of the world, don’t think that you will be adequately prepared for winter in Shiga! The lack of central heating and insulation in buildings will have you thinking Canada, Scotland or Scandinavia were a paradise of warmth and comfort. Don’t despair though, just check out our handy hints on keeping warm in winter!
A great reference guide over how to heat your apartment is available here (the aircon is a safe bet for electrical safety!). Using the aircon is expensive but make sure you don't make yourself ill trying to save on power. The aircon can dry the air out so also consider a humidifier!
blog.gaijinpot.com/weathering-a-cold-japanese-winter-for-new-alts/
Kairo – sachets of granules that self-heat when you shake them up – great to put in your pockets to keep your hands warm, and you can even buy ones with a sticky panel to stick between layers of clothes. Good for beating the cold in school.
Layer your blankets Buy a heated blanket – This is one of the most economical ways to go. However, heated blankets in Japan aren't very good and also can be quite expensive. We recommend bringing one from home or having one sent.
Adopt the ‘Pick a Room’ Philosophy – Particularly if you live in a house or larger apartment, heat one room, shut the screen doors tight and carry out most of your daily activities there.
Insulate your windows - draft-proof windows and doors with spongy tape, or plastic wrapping the windows with stuff you can get from the hardware store. Heavier curtains are also an idea.
Make Friends With The School Librarian – Even in the most freezing of schools the library always has really good kerosene heaters and is the warmest place to be.
Get a full-body animal suit from Don Quijote or Amazon – They often include a hood and make great pyjamas.
If you have a car, here is some good information about winter driving.