parasol
How would you like a lovely one-of-a-kind parasol made with material from an authentic kimono?
People from other countries may be surprised by the number of people using umbrellas on a sunny day in Japan. However, after experiencing the scorching summers in many urban centers across the land, it’s not surprising why so many carry their own shade.
Of course there’s the obvious UV protection reasons where people wish to avoid melanoma and maintain that deathly pale complexion that’s all the rage here. There’s also the simpler reason that the sun can be freaking intense during the dog days and shade is a rare commodity on city streets.
In fact it can be so powerful that even with your standard parasol, daylight can manage to creep in and threaten your well-being. That’s why someone developed the next level in umbrella technology with Rain or Shine Umbrella for Use at the Game. With a name that catchy, you know it’s gonna be good!
Foreigners visiting Japan for the first time might be taken aback by how widespread the use of umbrellas is. Sure, during rain storms umbrellas make sense, but even during pleasantly sunny days you’re likely to see enough women putting up parasols to make you think the Bauhaus were in town.
Even this is understandable as “the Land of the Rising Sun” is not just another pretty name. In the middle of summer the often cloudless skies leave us at the mercy of the sun’s unrelenting rays. Combined with a lack of trees in many urban areas there’s simply no escape. And with pale skin traditionally considered to be a sign of beauty and elegance, it’s no wonder so many women still carry a parasol, but it would seem that the heat is getting so bad these days that men, too, are bit by bit turning to a once exclusively feminine accessory for relief and protection.
MOST POPULAR
Now
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret
Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations- You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret
Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
-
