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Jul 14 2008 9 Comments

The air-conditioning nightmare

With Tokyo’s sudden change over the weekend from unbearably humid, to unbearably hot and humid resulting in countless people suffering heat stroke, a sure-fire way of staying cool is crucial; however, while drinking lots of water, fanning oneself furiously or simply staying still certainly have their benefits, air-conditioning is inevitably the number one choice.
 
And as such, people will go to whatever lengths are necessary to have it installed, regardless, it would seem, of how complicated such a course of action could be.

Japanese air-conditioning

Categorized: General

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Americajin says

    7/14/2008 at 8:31 pm

    When I was in Japan for the first time I was amazed with how crazy hot and humid it was… and we were in September. And that’s when I started to understand why the iconic images of feudal Japan always had people holding fans, the reasons the kimono and yukkata are a tradition and the reason the “silk trade” was so important in Japan (warm in winter cool in summer clothes)…
    I mean, it was nuts hot… people giving out fans, people giving out tissues – not for your nose but to wipe your forehead – it was really an experience.
    When I first got there I had to immediately adjust my clothing:
    1) I got off the plane and took the train to shibuya in jeans and polo.
    2) immediately hit the hotel and changed into shirt and shorts…
    3) after walking for 5 minutes I went back to the hotel and changed into my Hawaiian bathing suit (!!) and the lightest t-shirt I had… I absolutely looked like a dumb tourist.

    Reply
  2. John F. says

    7/14/2008 at 8:44 pm

    Lee: love your photos. As a former Tokyo resident (well away from the soft underbelly), I’d be fascinated to know where they’re taken, and hope you’ll consider attaching that information if it’s not to much trouble. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  3. Lee says

    7/14/2008 at 9:04 pm

    Americajin: I know what you mean. Every year I think that maybe, just maybe I’ll deal with the humidity better, but I never do….

    John: Thanks, I’m glad you like the pics. The vast majority are taken in west Tokyo. I do a fair bit of cycling, so the photos are from a lot of different places, meaning anywhere from say Chofu/Fuchu to way up the Tamagawa. This particular one was just off the Asakawa. In Hachioji I think.

    Reply
  4. Honor says

    7/14/2008 at 9:50 pm

    Me too – I like the pics. As to the air conditioner needs – we are trying to do without at home this year. We haven’t used it yet although I have been tempted. We keep the windows open and have an ion fan on instead – it’s pretty good actually. We are lucky because we can get a through breeze going as we have windows on both sides of the apartment.

    Reply
  5. Lee says

    7/14/2008 at 9:57 pm

    Fair play to you Honor. We moved last Friday, and for a day we had no air-con. It was, it has to be said, a very long day….

    Reply
  6. Bunny says

    7/15/2008 at 2:07 pm

    Cool post… Titter! Titter!

    Reply
  7. Makito says

    7/15/2008 at 6:53 pm

    Argh… the Aircon in our office is broken – just our luck that Tokyo’s gotten so bloody hot. It’s like an oven right now. Going to work is like torture ….. melting……

    Reply
  8. josun says

    7/21/2008 at 11:55 am

    In japan it is hummid?

    Reply
  9. Bren says

    12/7/2009 at 5:40 pm

    So let me get this straight. You are all saying that it’s humid in Japan or not?

    Reply

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