Seasonal Information
The weather and temperature during each season varies widely throughout the country, and different regions of Japan can experience unique weather patterns. Throughout most of the year, it remains very humid. Even though the seasons bring something exciting, each season also delivers new challenges, especially in winter and summer.
Heat
The heat may start in the spring, but depending on your location, it can reach its peak during the summer and rainy seasons. In order to avoid any heat stroke and stay as comfortable as possible, the following options may be of use to you.
Allergies
In case of allergies such as hay fever (花粉症・kafunshō ) or other allergic reactions (rashes, etc.), over-the-counter drugs such as pills and creams, can be found at the drugstore or pharmacy.
Common Insects
Insect Bites
Pharmacies stock various products for dealing with these insects and their bites (虫刺され・mushi sasare ).
Anti-itch sprays, liquid medications, and creams can easily be found at your local drugstore or pharmacy. They often have pictures of the symptoms they treat. Anti-itch products often come in tubes (left) or roll-on versions (right). Below are some products that are effective in treating any itchiness, particularly mosquito bites.
Itch is 「かゆみ」 (kayumi) and swelling is 「腫れ」 (hare).
Image source: Rakuten (accessed July 2023)
Insect Repellent & Insecticide
If you go to almost any home improvement store, they sell insect repellent and insecticide.
Insect repellent is 「虫除け」（mushi yoke ) and insecticide is「防虫」 （bōchū ).
Cold
Depending on your home country, you may be no stranger to the cold. The lack of insulation and central heating in homes and schools in Japan can feel more unpleasant. The winter tends to have strong winds and dry air. Please make sure to stay warm and healthy.
Miyagi AJET has an extremely thorough article on the cost-effectiveness of different heating methods, as well as other winter tips. Give it a read!
[Miyagi AJET – Secrets to Surviving the Japanese Winter]
Image source: Amazon (accessed July 2023).
Dealing With Snow in Japan
If you live in a place that gets a good amount of snow in the winter, you will have to take extra measures to maintain your residence and the surrounding area.
- If you live in a really snowy area like the northern part of Hokkaido, always keep an extra shovel in your car.
- It is a good idea to keep an extra a bottle of antifreeze spray in your car so you do not have to wait a while for the ice to melt from your windshield.
- If you live in an area where it gets cold and snows a lot, clear out your open car space everyday. If the snow turns into ice, it becomes extremely hard to remove.
- Before you travel for several days, make sure to drain your home water pipes.
- Japanese, especially in Hokkaido, do not salt or sand the roads. It can become very slippery so invest in boots with good traction or buy cleats such as Yaktrax.
- Snow removal (ie. with a snowplow)= 「除雪」（jōsetsu）
- Someone who hates the cold= 「寒がり」（samugari）〜 Someone who hates the heat= 「暑がり」（atsugari)
- Cold (weather)= 「寒い」(samui) 〜 Cold (things/personality)= 「冷たい」(tsumetai)
- Cold (Hokkaido-ben)=「しゃこい」（shakoi）
- Snow shoveling= 「雪かき」（yukikaki）
- Snow shoveling (Hokkaido-ben)= 「雪投げ」（yukinage）
- Indoor heater= 「ストーブ」（sutōbu）＊Note that if you are referring to a cooking stove 「コンロ」（konro) and say “sutōbu,” people will think you are referring to a heater.
