Preparing for Winter

Writer: Prashan J.
Editor: Trang D.

Hello everyone! How are you dealing with the weather changes? As the end of fall is nearing and winter is approaching, the cold weather in Japan will certainly cause us to adjust our lifestyles accordingly. For those who are experiencing winter in Japan for the first time or those whose least favorite season is winter, this article will contain helpful tips on how to deal with this harsh season.

From Autumn, when the temperature starts to drop drastically, the first and foremost preparation to make is the closet change. Flannels and windbreakers are the musts for the extreme cold during January and February. Winter is also a good time to show off fashionable outfits while staying warm. One more thing that you must keep in mind during winter is the fluctuation and unpredictability of the temperature. In Japan, it’s generally a good habit to check the temperature before heading outside as winter rain is in fact very common here as well. 

Winter outfits

During winter, you must not forget to take necessary health precautions. Especially for people moving from warm countries, it is important to take extra measures. As the humidity adjustments take time to adapt to, prevention is better than cure. For instance, Influenza or flu is one of the most common illnesses in Japan in winter. Most people have a tendency to catch it in late fall. Additionally, skincare is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly as the humidity drops severely when winter comes. Irrespective of gender or age, pocket-sized hand cream and lip balm that are convenient and can be carried anywhere become the most demanding cosmetic products during winter. Moreover, don’t forget to stay hydrated. During winter, the body’s thirst response is lower and we tend to sweat less compared to other seasons. So, you may sometimes be under the wrong assumption that you are better hydrated, which later results in winter dehydration. Insufficient water intake can cause health problems like skin breakouts or peeling. 

Starting from fall, people set out to travel to several tourist attractions around Japan, a country with a phenomenal diversity in nature from mountains to seas. As winter approaches, the tourists start to gather in the colder regions of Japan to enjoy the winter outdoor activities such as snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, ropeways in breathtakingly beautiful locations. Or maybe just relaxing in some hot springs, one of Japan’s most unique destinations in terms of traveling. Hokkaido, Niigata, and Gunma prefectures are the most famous when it comes to such winter activities. Asides from that, the greater Tokyo area starts to put on its festive look with Christmas around the corner. For people with tight schedules, they can go for a short one-day trip to different locations in Tokyo where there is winter illumination. Ebisu and Roppongi Illuminations are very well known among foreign visitors.

Roppongi Hills Illumination

Overall, regardless of how you choose to spend winter or how you deal with the cold, some may still find the conditions of winter somewhat harsh. Nevertheless, it is important to stay warm, healthy and enjoy the winter as much as possible. Hopefully, after reading this article, you have found some useful tips that can make your winter experience a better one!