How to survive summer in Japan! (Tips & Product Recommendations)

I’m sure you’ve heard about Japanese summer — it’s hot, it’s humid, and there’s a bajillion summer festivals! All three are true, but I’m here today to talk about the first two!

We live in Okinawa, which is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. Okinawa is an island prefecture, so we’re surrounded by the gorgeous ocean!

Image Source: Pelleteier Karate

The ocean waters do help to regulate the summer heat and the cold winters, making the weather here milder than mainland Japan. However it still does get VERY hot and VERY humid! On average, temps in Okinawa go between 30-33 degrees Celsius during the day, with humidity levels averaging about 70-80%.

Also, it just feels like the sun shines much brighter here in Okinawa than in mainland Japan! It might be because the sunlight reflects off the sand and the waters right back at us.

This gorgeous photo was taken when it was really, really bright and really hot outside!

Since we are working in a wedding photo studio where 90% of our photoshoots are on the beach, we are exposed to the sun for 30~90 mins everyday. My coworkers and I need to protect ourselves from the sun and from heatstroke.

So how do we combat the sometimes unbearable summer heat?

“UV Cut” UV Protection Clothing

The best way to prevent heat fatigue and sunburn is to cover up! Japan has a HUGE variety of SPF/UPF clothing, or “UV Cut“. The materials these clothing are made of are designed to block excess UV rays from hitting your skin.

Image Source: Uniqlo

Recommendations from Japan

Uniqlo

Probably available in your home country as well!

Workman

Clothing that is designed for outdoor work use. Sizes can run large.

San-A (Okinawa only)

An Okinawan department store.

GU

The younger sibling of Uniqlo but sizes may run smaller than expected since this brand is targeted at youths.

Sunblock / Sunscreen

I’m sure you’ve heard of Japanese sunscreen — famous for being ultra wearable, lightweight, and yet still very protective!

Because Japanese women are very conscious about UV damage on their skin, Japanese sunscreen is more of an essential beauty product rather than something you reluctantly smear on your skin when you go to the beach.

Sunglasses aren’t enough!

Here are some recommendations that we ourselves use in our studio!

Image Source: Project Vanity

This is what we spray on ourselves and you right before your photoshoot!

Biore UV Perfect Spray
SPF 50+ PA++++

Image Source: ROOMIE

Another spray-type sunscreen for easy application.

Biore Aqua Rich Protect Mist
SPF 50+ PA++++

Image Source: PR TIMES

Essence-type sunscreen with color-correcting pigment!

Suncut Light Up UV & Tone Up UV
SPF 50+ PA++++

Cooling Wipes & Sprays

When we get all sweaty, nothing feels better than wiping it all off with a cooling wipe! These are no ordinary wet wipes — usually infused with menthol, they’ll leave you feeling cool and refreshed.

Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! These guys can be found at any Japanese convenience store or supermarket!

Image Source: PR TIMES

Comes in both wet wipe & spray form! Spray on yoour clothes for temporary relief!

Biore “Cool Monster” Cooling Wipes & Cooling Spray
Contains menthol

Cooling Ring

It’s a ring that you put around your neck so your body can stay cool and/or cool off quicker! Just stick it in the freezer before going out, then put it on your neck right before you step outside!

Image Source: Amazon

These are increasingly available everywhere! From ¥100 stores like Daiso to supermarkets, department stores.

Electrolyte Drinks

With the high humidity, your body will sweat a lot! It’s important to replace the fluids in your body with not only water, but liquids that have a balance of the salts that you have lost as well!

Image Source: REVIAS

Pocari Sweat & Aquarius are two brands you will see everywhere in Japan: From convenience stores, to even the random vending machine next to the beach! You can even get them frozen in stores to they stay cool for longer.

Ice Cream!

Finally, we have reached my favourite summer treat! The most perfect thing ever to eat to cool down on a hot summer day: Ice cream!

In Okinawa, of course you have to cool down with Blue Seal! Originally an ice cream chain from the US, Blue Seal is now proudly Okinawan. ♡ Some original Okinawan flavours include Chinsuko Salt Cookies, Beni-imo Purple Potato, and Shiikuasa Lime!

Image Source: ちゅらグルメ

If you’d like, you can even add on a Blue Seal photoshoot to your wedding photoshoot session with us!

What are you waiting for? Book a summer wedding photoshoot with us today!

Ryukyu Wedding also accepts free online consultations.
Since it's by appointment, please register on our official LINE-Official first and text us! OR, We have Whats App as well to accepts free online consultations.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Author of this article

Hi! I'm Zarifah, Ryukyu Wedding's translator and graphic & album designer!

I'm fluent in English, Malay, and Japanese, and I'd be honored to help you create your perfect wedding memories 💌