Beat the Heat: How to Stay Cool During Summer in Tokyo

Before your trip to Tokyo, it is important that you learn about summer in Japan. During August in Tokyo, the city’s average temperature high is 34°C (93°F) with 78% humidity. This heat can be further exacerbated by the Urban Heat Island Effect, a phenomenon where cities retain heat, making them warmer than nearby rural areas. Stay comfortable in Tokyo even during the peak of summer’s heat with cooling products, refreshing destinations in the city, summer foods, and more.

Tokyo Measures to Survive the Heat

To combat summer’s ferocity, Tokyo’s convenience stores, department stores, and drug stores stock their shelves with a variety of ingenious products—from recognizable items, like UV-blocking umbrellas and sunscreen, to unique Japanese goods.
While it is easy to recommend staying indoors during the hottest times of day, sometimes outdoor travel is unavoidable. In these instances, it is important that you rest frequently and stay hydrated. Opt for salt tablets to increase sodium levels and sports drinks to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. To keep cool, we also suggest investing in cold clothing spray and cooling wipes that leave your skin noticeably colder.

If you are looking to accessorize like a local, elevate your outfit with a neck cooling ring, which stays cool for up to several hours, and a stylish handheld fan. These products also double as great souvenirs.

A Refreshing Oasis in Minato City

During summer in Tokyo, many popular tourist attractions install misting machines to help cool down visitors outside. Similarly, Tokyo Midtown is hosting “MIDTOWN SUMMER 2024” from July 12 to August 25 to provide guests a refreshing outdoor destination where they can enjoy ecological coolness. Predominantly located in Midtown Garden, this event has two outdoor attractions—Sui Gin Soda MIDPARK LOUNGE, an open-air dining space with refreshing beverages and dishes where you can feel the coolness of summer under the trees, and ASHIMIZU, an area where you can dip your feet in an icy stream and bask in evening coolness. ASHIMIZU receives fresh ice daily at 15:30 and 17:00, produces mist from 15:00–21:00, and has additional special effects that allow you to further feel the coolness of summer. In the evenings, from 18:00–21:00, the area becomes aglow with cool-toned lighting. It is the perfect place to unwind and recharge.

Photo provided by: TOKYO MIDTOWN

Replenish Your Energy With Hiyashi Chuka

Hiyashi Chuka is one of Japan’s most beloved summer foods. This Chinese-style noodle dish is served cold with numerous colorful toppings and dressed in a sweet, salty, and tangy sauce. Nutritious summer vegetables, like cucumber and tomatoes, are paired with various proteins to create an energizing dish. It’s truly a summer power food.

Yosuko Saikan, opened in 1906, is a restaurant renowned for its Hiyashi Chuka. The chewy noodles are piled high with 10 fresh and in-house cooked ingredients, including meat, vegetables, and seafood—making it a well-rounded dish. The ingredients are vertically arranged to resemble Mt. Fuji and doused in the addicting sauce. Yosuko Saikan recommends that you eat a piece of cucumber first to cool your throat before mixing all the ingredients together and enjoying the dish. After the meal, you are guaranteed to feel revitalized.

MIDTOWN SUMMER 2024

Yosuko Saikan

For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.