It is summer and it is very hot. It is so hot that I cry everytime I leave my appartment and get hit in the face by the wall of heat outside. I travel around the city, sweating buckets and drinking gallons of water to stay hydrated. I’m wearing light colours, shorts and a short-sleeved shirt to help keep my body cool.
Walking down the street I am surrounded by Japanese people, and all of the women are wearing long-sleeved shirts? Over a regular t-shirt? I can’t help but think “how can you stand to wear that in this heat?”, it is far too hot for cardigans or jumpers.
I am even more confused when I notice the colour. Light colours reflect heat better, helping to keep your temperature down. Dark colours do the opposite, they absorb heat and hold it for longer. So why is everyone wearing a dark cardigan or dress?!?! it seems impossible, but maybe they’re cold? I understand they want to protect their skin from the sun, but why dont they choose lighter colours that would be more comfortable for them?
I will never understand how the Japanese can live in such heat. Next year, maybe I will move to Hokkaido for the summer.