august-2011

PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY
ummer in Kansai is hot.
Very hot. Mix with that the
rampant humidity which
blankets the region and you’ve got
yourself two months of some of
the most challenging conditions of
the year.
Last year, Japan experienced its
hottest summer on record with
temperatures in some parts of the
country reaching 41ºC. But fear not
— there are plenty of ways to cope
with the heat. For some people in
Japan, summer is the best season,
giving them a chance to relax on
the beach or climb mountains, the
peaks of which are cool instead of
the usual freezing cold.
Last year, Japan
experienced its hottest
summer on record
with temperatures
reaching 41ºC
The arrival of summer is
heralded by the sound of a million
singing semi (cicada), clinging to
trees across the archipelago. For
six weeks in summer, you really
don’t need an alarm clock, as
these urusai (noisy) creatures are
guaranteed to be up at the crack of
dawn. It’s impressive how much
noise just one semi can make. Put
thousands together and the noise
merits earplugs.
To stop you wilting, a few
items are indispensible. First, a
small hand towel for mopping
your brow. You’ll see people
everywhere using these. A higasa
(parasol) is popular among
women to keep the sun off the
skin. You rarely see a man holding
one, though it’s not unknown. For
guys, a wide-brimmed hat is a
good idea. Many people also carry
a sensu (fan).
It’s vital to drink consistently
through the day. One of the great
things about Japan is that on
almost every street corner you’ll
fi nd a vending machine; these are
When the temperature
hits the 40°C range,
learn how to enjoy it
like a local
WORDS TREVOR MOGG
ABOVE: A parasol
is popular among
women to keep the
sun off the skin
HOT SPOT //
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