As temperatures plummet across southern Australia in the annual phenomenon known as ‘winter’, temperatures have soared across the Japanese archipelago with the start of summer. 

The rainy season (or tsuyu) is coming to an end and on sunnier days like today, temperatures are reaching the high 30s. On the face of it, it may seem like a pleasant alternative to a Melbourne winter, but the temperatures don’t tell the full story. Japanese summers are notoriously brutal because of one thing: the humidity. Dewpoints hover around 25 degrees and, combined with high temperatures and light winds, the “apparent or feels like” temperature can creep up to a very dangerous 50 degrees. 

For comparison, the humidity is similar to that experienced in Darwin in the warmer season or any other popular tropical getaway such as Thailand or Bali. 

Speaking of getaways, the Japanese yen has fallen to levels not seen in over 30 years and Japan has become an even more attractive tourist destination for Australians this year. But for those escaping our winter for something a little warmer, they might get more than they bargained for. 

Heatstroke alerts have been issued today for a vast swath across southern Japan, extending to Tokyo, which is expected to reach 35 degrees today, 36 degrees tomorrow and 37 degrees on Monday. Saitama, a particularly hot outer suburb of Tokyo, has a forecast of 38 degrees tomorrow and Monday.

Current Heat Stroke Alert (JMA)

Tokyo, Saitama forecasts (JMA)

Once the rainy season officially ends in another week or two, the extreme heat can be expected to persist until about the end of August. But what does that mean for Australians? Holidays to Japan and especially Tokyo can involve a lot of walking. It’s easy to double your daily step count and exceed 20,000 steps per day without much thought. At any other time of year that can be enjoyable but in the summer heat, it’s exhausting and very, very sweaty. 

Countermeasures suggested by the JMA include wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, staying in the shade, using a parasol and/or hat, and maintaining hydration and salts. As a tourist, this could mean walking considerably less and/or at a slower pace, and even rescheduling your day to avoid peak heat. 

Interestingly, because Japan is so far east within its time-zone, the peak heat is a little earlier in the day than most Australian cities. The sun rises at about 4:30am and it is not uncommon for the temperature to exceed 30 degrees by 9am with the peak around midday. 

While local convenience stores and electronics stores offer a wide range of gadgets to beat the heat, my best tips are a battery powered (USB rechargeable) hand-held fan, a UV cutting umbrella and a Gari gari kun icy pole. Any umbrella will do but the UV cutting variety has an extra layer which makes it feel like you’re walking in the shade.

Tips to beat the Japan summer heat (Gari gari kun provided by Akagi Nyugyo Co) 

Be sure to check the JMA Heat Illness page here and stay cool on your holidays!  

Main photo: Obon festival in Tokyo [photo: author]