Summer Hacks for Staying Cool in Kyoto

Summer Hacks for Staying Cool in Kyoto

Hi everyone! Today I want to talk about how to enjoy/ survive summer in Kyoto. Summer in Kyoto? It is really hot. But here’s the thing. I am a mom living in Kyoto with 2 year old son. Which means I need to go outside everyday everyday no matter how hot it is Then I started to realize that the summer here is not too bad If I prepare properly. So today I’d like to share some of tips that I developed. Before I introduce my favorite summer items, I want to share two important things I always consider: First, it has to be something that doesn’t require any advance prep. Second, it shouldn’t add extra weight to my bag. Let me explain what I mean. For example, handheld fans are super popular in Japan during the summer. but you need to charge them. And if I realize it’s out of battery just before I leave, I get panicked. And usually it doesn’t last all day, so you need to recharge them. I don’t want that. Even though it works very well to cool down, I don’t use it them anymore. Another example is cooling packs— some type that you freeze and wear around your neck. I do use a lot last summer. They do cool you down, but only if you remembered to freeze them the night before. Otherwise, again, panic. And also if you’re outside for a few hours, they melt and they turn into extra weight. So I gave up on those too. So today, I want to share 3 must-have summer items. First up is this cooling towel from Biore, a Japanese skincare brand. You can find it in most drugstores right now. There are lots of similar products out there this one comes with five individually wrapped towels. it’s longer than you’d expect—long enough to wrap around your neck. At first, I thought it wouldn’t be that effective, because it looks cheap. but it’s surprisingly cool. The package claims that “-3°C for 1 hour,” and I was skeptical at first but actually it keeps cool that long. So I highly recommend. It is very light and very convenient. Next up is Ice King from icenon. it’s a cooling spray for your clothes. You just spray it directly onto your shirt like this, At first, it’s so minty and it kind of stings your eyes but in a good way. There are a bunch of similar sprays from other brands, and I’ve tried a lot of them, but this one is hands-down the strongest. If keeps you cool at least for one hour, maybe more than one hour. And if you spray it while you’re outside, it honestly feels like walking into an air-conditioned room. If you’re going to be outside for a long time, this spray seriously helps you feel refreshed. Last one is my newest summer essential: a sun umbrella. I actually started using one for the first time this year. I thought it is just an extra to carry and it is not that useful but a friend from Kyoto was surprised that I don’t have one so I gave it a try—and now I can’t live without it. The one I use is from Montbell, a Japanese outdoor brand. And I’m very impressed with this product. And this umbrella is not just for sun—it works in the rain too. These days in Japan, sudden summer rainstorms are super common so having a dual-purpose umbrella is a lifesaver. It weighs only 200 grams, but it has 8 ribs, So it is strong enough to handle rain and some wind. there are other sun umbrellas out there—some are lighter, some are cuter. But if I care about functionality, this was the clear winner for me. Montbell has lightweight, functional items perfect for daily life too—not just the outdoors. I really recommend stopping by if you see one! today is actually the day of the Gion Matsuri parade one of the highlights of summer in Kyoto. I’m thinking of check it out, with the tricks that I shared.

Hi friends!

How are you? Today I’m sharing something a little different—a simple but very real look at what summer in Kyoto feels like. If you’ve ever visited Japan in the summer, you know it gets really hot… and Kyoto is no exception!

To be honest, I used to find it overwhelming. But over time, I’ve found a few simple tools that make all the difference. In this video, I’ll walk you through three of my favorite items that help me stay cool and actually enjoy the season—whether I’m walking through the city, exploring a shrine, or just out for a café break.

I hope this helps anyone visiting Kyoto (or just surviving summer where you are!). Can’t wait to hear what you think—and let me know your favorite summer must-haves too!

Much love from Kyoto,
Shiho 🤍

・Cooling Towel (Biore)
・Ice King Mist Spray (Aisunon)
・Sunblock Umbrella 55 (Montbell).

Music: I used music from Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/xx1jwe