What to Wear in Japan for Summer for Amazing Photos

What to Wear in Japan for Summer for Amazing Photos

So you’ve booked a trip and now you’re wondering what to wear in Japan for summer. One thing you should know about summer in Japan is that it is crazy hot. The peak summer months of July and August regularly exceed 30 degrees. But it isn’t just the heat – it is the humidity that gets you. It feels like you’re walking in an unrelenting, sunny sauna.  Figuring out what to wear in Japan for summer can be quite the head scratcher.

So if you don’t want to be a sweaty, chaffy mess while walking around your favourite sightseeing spots and also look cute in your photos – I got you! I lived in Japan for several years and as someone who enjoys summer there (crazy, ikr?), these are my helpful tips and tricks. I have divided this up into two sections – Tokyo and the rest of Japan. That is because Tokyo is a huge megacity and is one of the most fashion-forward cities in the world so you’ll find things are slightly different fashion-wise. 

What To Wear In Summer When Travelling Around Japan

You’ll quickly realise that outside of the main city centres women’s fashion tends to lean quite feminine and traditional. Wearing spaghetti strap tops and showing your shoulders and cleavage is traditionally not something women living in Japan do (although most young people only follow this rule in formal or work settings these days) and you’ll see a lot of people covering up to avoid the sun completely. 

However, it is really hot, so I recommend when considering what to wear in Japan for summer that you do what feels comfortable for you because heatstroke is a real concern. Just accept that you might get a couple of grannies looking you up and down with judgemental eyes (plus if you’re somewhere touristy like Kyoto, the majority of people are tourists anyway so they’ll all be in skin-tight bike shorts, crop tops, and Teva).

ACCESSORIES:

It gets really hot and a lot of the days are very sunny. A good wide-brimmed hat will keep you cool and protect you from the sun. Personally, I’m from New Zealand and I never ever got tanned from the sun in Japan (yet alone burnt!) but a lot of people in Japan are very particular about keeping their skin as light as possible. You’ll see a lot of people wearing UV-protectant clothing (Uniqlo Airism brand is popular) in the form of arm covers, face coverings, and hats. They come in lots of cute colours, but black is the most popular. You, of course, don’t have to wear these but if you see them around that is what they are!

JACKETS & COATS:

You will not need a jacket or coat – even in the evenings! The temperature remains high throughout the day and night. Again, the UV protectant long-sleeve jackets are popular but I personally wouldn’t recommend you wear one if you are not used to the heat.

TOPS, DRESSES, & PANTS:

I recommend wearing something casual that will still look great in photos like some tailored, linen shorts with a plain tee or a lightweight maxi skirt with a linen top. This will go with a wide range of shoes, too (especially if you’re walking a lot and getting into nature!).

SHOES & BOOTS:

Temperatures over 35 each day calls for sandals. You can wear sneakers but your feet will be a gross, sweaty mess by the end of the day so be warned. I recommend a comfy sandal with supportive straps and sole.

When deciding what to wear in Japan for summer choose flip flops at your own risk. These are called Beach-sandals (ビーチサンダル) and are strictly for beach use or around the home. Crocs are also at-home-only-shoes. The only people that wear Crocs outside are tweens in Harajuku or hungover people scuttling to their local 7-eleven early in the morning.

What To Wear In Summer When Travelling Around Tokyo

Tokyo is different to the smaller towns as it is more fashion-forward. You’ll see a bigger range of fashion here. Even in the height of summer when you are all but a sweaty puddle, Tokyoites will still be rocking cute, refined outfits and heels. It is a super power.

ACCESSORIES:

Just like the countryside, you’ll want a fashionable hat to keep the sun off your face (being sun smart should be something to consider when deciding what to wear in Japan for summer!). A cute but spacious bag is also a great option so you can carry around a bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated. There aren’t many drinking fountains but there are vending machines and convenience stores every 500m so you’ll be able to get water easily.

JACKETS & COATS:

If you’re going to be popping in and out of stores, malls, and restaurants, I recommend bringing a lightweight cardigan. When inside, you’ll notice that that aircon is turned to max power and it is actually pretty chilly! You can throw this over your shoulders while outside for a bit of sun protection or store it in your bag if you are wearing a sleeveless dress, too. 

SHOES & BOOTS:

A dressy sandal will get you through most scenarios and is pretty popular in Tokyo during the summer months. I would pick something breathable like a closed-toe espadrille sandal as this will work for both hotel lounges and a casual cafe setting. A platform will give you height without giving you sore feet after all the steps.