If you’re not already thinking about how to stay cool in the sultry sauna we call summer in Japan, you should.
With the caveat that I am not a weatherman, I confidently predict that this year will not be any more comfortable than last year. In addition, the summer now seems longer, with average daily temperatures According to data from experts at the Japan Meteorological Agency, temperatures across the country in September even exceeded 30 degrees Celsius.
While the country as a whole is hotter, the Japanese archipelago is incredibly diverse, from the coast to the Alps and mountain ranges that run alongside it. Hit the coast for a sea breeze or head to a national park for a therapeutic dose of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) are both great options to beat the heat. Japan is also blessed with water, whether it’s the sea, rivers or lakes — even if you can’t leave the city, when was the last time you visited your local swimming pool?
