Future travelers!

It’s finally July and the Japanese rainy season is almost over, only to be replaced by the summer heatwaves. The Japanese summer usually ranges from the start of July to the end of September. In this blog I’m going to give you some advice on how to prepare for a Japanese summer. A summer survival guide.

As a traveler, I understand that you might not have that much space in your luggage, but here are some pointers on what you might want to consider adding to your packing list.

NUMBER １: Clothing

First and foremost, Japanese summer is hot. Very hot. And humid to boot. So bring appropriate clothing. A hat, sunglasses, shorts, T-shirts sandals and anything else that is breathable is recommended. Unless you want to turn into a walking waterfall. Also there are Uniqlo shops everywhere in Japan that sell reasonably priced, breathable summer wear.

Unfortunately the humidity can equal bugs. So if possible, bring some mosquito repellent from home. If you forget to bring some you can ask for it at a regular Japanese  drug store.

You can even practice some Japanese if you want:

虫よけ or  虫除け       むしよけ                  mushi yoke            insect repellent

Mushi yoke kudasai  =  Can I please have some insect repellent.

You can also get cool, bug repellent wrist bands: Mushi yoke Ring               Insect Repellent Ring

NUMBER  ２: Sun Protection

Keeping cool is important, but keeping safe is even more so. Nothing is more important to us at TAS than your safety and enjoyment. So when on tour, bring sun protection! In Australia, we have a saying ‘Slip, Slop, Slap. Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat’. Bring all three and you’ll be well on your way to a safe and comfortable tour.

In addition to this, please drink plenty of water. No one wants to be dehydrated, sun burnt and feeling anything but 100%. You can buy big 2 liter bottles of water for about $2 US and the tap water in Japan is perfectly safe and drinkable. So refill, refill, refill.

NUMBER ３:  Face Wipes 

Due to the humidity, you will sweat. There is no helping it, it’s going to happen. The buses TAS uses all have air-conditioning, however you will spend most of your time outside.  So when over here, you might want to invest in some moist wipes to wipe away any sweat or grime that might accumulate during the day.

Hopefully these little tips will help to make you tour more comfortable and enjoyable during the hot summer!

Safe Travels

Tom