Summer is a tricky season to
prepare for in Japan, thanks in large part to the high levels of humidity and
rapidly shifting weather changes. However, the nation is arguably one of the
most well dressed in the world, so trying your best in the fashion department
is never unappreciated. Wide leg pants
After years of being told symaller
is better, Japan has gone the other way in terms of silhouettes, opting for
wide, baggy clothing that is comfortable, stylish, and practical. Fashion
wise, the country is adventurous, but it’s still rather conservative when it
comes to skin exposure, which is why you notice that even in summer you’re more
likely to see men and women sporting loose-fitting, full-length, wide-leg pants
than tiny short-shorts. They are an excellent and breezy summer-friendly option
if you are nervous about showing off tattoos or appearing disrespectful while
visiting shrines and temples.
Breezy, higher neck t-shirts and
blouses
Like the wide-leg pants, trendy
oversized blouses and t-shirts are a little more conservative and offer a much-needed
sense of comfort and breathability on longer, sweltering 35°C (95°F) days.
Given the incredible humidity, quick-drying shirts made of cotton are the best
bet. Of course, you should feel comfortable wearing whatever you would like,
but if you want to follow the crowd, then showing off a plunging neckline is
usually saved for late-night attire.
Sneakers
When it comes to exploring
Japan, a lot of walking is a given. Even in well-connected cities like Tokyo and
Osaka, the fastest, best way to explore is typically by foot, especially in
summer when the trains are packed with hot, sweaty commuters. For this reason,
a pair of supportive, light sneakers is a very worthwhile investment. Luckily,
Japan is a nation with one of the highest populations of sneakerheads, so
if you are looking for a little fashion inspiration, you will surely find it
here.
Oversized bag
Once you arrive in any major
Japanese city, one of the first things you will notice is the absence of
garbage bins on the street. Apart from the PET bottle-specific bins next
to the occasional vending machine, finding somewhere to put your garbage is
difficult, so it is common just to carry it with you until you get home. For
this reason it’s worth planning ahead and bringing a larger than usual bag with
you so you can spend more time exploring the cities and less time trying to
hunt down a trash can like some strange bin-hungry Pokémon hunter.
Slides / slippers
Packing a stylish pair of slides is
not only a good idea if you plan to go to the beach), but they are also handy
because regular shoes are a no-go in the house. Wearing shoes in almost any
home is close to one of the rudest things you can do. This no-shoes rule
also applies to the occasional public spaces like some restaurants, more
traditional office spaces, at public baths, inside temples and in classrooms.
Most places that require you to take off your shoes will have public slippers
that you can borrow; however, if you’re not too sold on the idea of wearing a
pair of old communal slippers, it’s best to bring your own.
Poncho
Summer in Japan is an incredibly
temperamental season, and one very prone to the surprise typhoon, so
always carrying a poncho is a smart move. You can easily find disposable
ponchos in many convenience stores, but bringing your own studier, reusable
poncho from home will save you money and is a handy way to alleviate your
impact on the environment a little while visiting this plastic-loving society.
Yukata
Summer is one of the busiest times
of the year on the social events calendar in Japan. Typically kicking off in
mid-late July and running all the way through to August is when cities across
the nation hold their biggest public street festivals known as matsuri.
