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1. Carry "kairo" (カイロ). Small body (typically hand) warmers. The disposable kind are the ones you open and shake up and typically last a few hours. Some can be placed in your shoes, around your ankles, around your waist or even around your wrists. Here are a few examples.
I've also noticed a trend of "eco-kairo" (エコカイロ) this year. The eco-kind vary, but some are filled with gel and you heat them in the microwave. Some are battery-powered (I'm not sure exactly how that is very "eco" though).
Some examples of "eco kairo" with cute covers (found at Loft):
And an eco-kairo that lasts about 4 hours:
2. Use a lap blanket. Whether at work or home, these smaller blankets are good to have on hand. Look for ひざかけ (膝掛け).
3. Or a space blanket. They aren't just the shiny, futuristic looking sheets anymore (though you can get those too). These kind are fabric-covered. Look for スペースケット.
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| space blanket |
4. Or an electric blanket. Look for 電気毛布 (でんきもうふ, denkimoufu).
5. Use a hot water bottle (湯たんぽ, ゆたんぽ). Especially good for cold feet.
6. Eat hot dishes. Like Nabe. Curry. Ramen. Or any other hot meal. What's your favorite?
7. Drink lots of hot tea, especially if your workplace provides it for free.
8. Hot drinks. Remember that many vending machines and conveniences stores have a section for "hot drinks" (usually have a red label underneath and say あったかい or "hot drink" while the cold ones have a blue label, and yes, the vending machines that offer them do change over from summer).
When I first arrived in Japan I had no idea you could buy a hot beverage from a vending machine, and when I chose (cold) tea, thinking I was just choosing regular tea from a vending machine, the person I was with looked at me in complete shock.
"Don't you want a hot drink?" she asked.
"What? There's hot drinks?"
"Yes." She points to the red label, "These are hot." The look accompanying this was more or less, "how did you miss that..."
Not sure if it's just me, but I never really came across a vending machine in the US with hot drinks aside the dispenser types at some schools or hospitals, etc. Who needs a vending machine with a coffee shop on every street corner? I am from Seattle after all.
9. Heat Tech from Uniqlo. What you would call long underwear. If not from Uniqlo, wool or silk are also great materials (and yes, you can get non-itchy, lightweight wool base layers - merino wool is one of those). If you're prone to being cold like I am, you'll be extra thankful for that base layer!
10. Layer. Outer layer. While you're shopping for long underwear, do yourself a favor and get a warm winter coat. I recommend anything with down. Uniqlo and Muji have them, but here's a secret, Sierra Trading Post often has crazy discounts on down jackets. (No, they didn't pay me to say that - I wish). Be careful if you want anything with fur trim though, as customs might get you when you have it shipped here directly.
11. Don't forget earmuffs, hat, gloves, scarves. I really like the earmuffs at Muji. Oh, and scarves are ストール or マフラー in Japanese.
12. Have a smartphone or iPad? You may want to try these gloves that allow you to use your touchscreen and still keep your fingers warm (I've seen these at Loft and Tokyu Hands as well).
13. Visit your nearest sento (銭湯, せんとう) or onsen (温泉, おんせん). This is a must in winter. Must.
14. Use a kind of kairo on your skin, such as a "温熱シート" (like a heating pad) or "こしカイロ" (back warmer). Or "ゆたぽん" which are gel-filled packs you microwave and can use around your shoulders, at your feet, etc., to keep you warm. Check here for various ideas, or head to your local home or daily goods store (or Loft, Tokyu Hands, etc.).
15. Get on a train. They're usually over-heated. You'll warm right up.
16. Get moving. Bike, walk, run, swim. Join a gym. Even just doing chores around the house will keep you a bit warmer than sitting (as will carrying a baby all day...)
17. If you have a futon, how about a futon dryer? My good friend Sally says a futon dryer works well for warming up futons before bed. Look for ふとん乾燥機 (ふとんかんそうき, futon kansouki).
18. Try a "hanten" (はんてん), explained by Andrea:
19. Or just cut a hole out of a blanket:
20. Candles might add some heat (or trick your mind at least):
21. A hot carpet might help, especially if you sit on the floor:
22. Ladies, if you're brave, you can get a "heated pad" that resembles a sanitary napkin. I kid you not. Not to be confused with sanitary napkins despite their appearance (they shouldn't be used while menstruating or for more than 2-3 hours at a time), these are like kairo for your nether regions, (loosely) based on an ancient Korean ritual. It seems from reviews on cosme.net that these are viewed pretty positively, but warn against sitting too long so you don't burn yourself. Check them out here.
23. A furry companion may be a good option:
24. A recent Japan Pulse post mentioned an under-desk kotatsu, a humanoid sleeping bag and window glass film that attaches to the frame rather than the glass (although, we tape our bubble wrap all over the frame anyway).
25. [Insert your idea here]
Your turn. What other creative ideas do you have to stay warm in Japan during winter?
Though I've linked to these in the first paragraph, here they are again:
8 ways to winterize your Japanese apartment (or house)
HOW TO: Heat your home and stay warm in Japan this winter
1 comment:
Just curious, do you have the Eco kairo in the picture? I've bought one, but I can't figure out how to reheat it.
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