Summers are hot — obviously! But every year I find myself thinking: was it really this hot when I was a kid?
Kids don’t slow down just because it’s hot, so staying indoors all day isn’t really an option. From the time my eldest turned about 18 months, we were going out for walks every single day to burn off energy — and midsummer was genuinely brutal.
This post covers the items I actually use and genuinely can’t live without — things that make it possible to stay comfortable even in dangerously hot conditions.
Japan’s summers are famous for being not only hot but also incredibly humid. While it’s a bit different in mountainous areas, temperatures in urban cities regularly exceed 35°C (95°F)—and can even spike to 39°C or 40°C (102°F–104°F). Proper heat protection is absolutely essential.
Heat Protection Essentials
AO Cooler 6-Pack Soft Cooler (5.7L)
This is a soft cooler — the ultimate insulated bag.
Despite being soft-sided, it delivers cooling performance that rivals hard-shell coolers.
Capacity is 5.7L — the smallest in the AO lineup, but it fits six 500ml bottles, which is the perfect size for outings with kids.
The standout feature is the insulation thickness — a 5-layer construction at 1.9cm, roughly twice the thickness of a standard soft cooler. It keeps things cold for hours even in peak summer heat. And because it doesn’t sweat on the outside, you never have to worry about your bag getting wet inside.
It’s bulkier than a regular insulated bag, but it doesn’t take up much space. It’s fulfilled my dream of always having a proper cooler with me wherever we go.
In summer I keep it under the stroller basket to make sure cold drinks are always within reach.
The inner lining is waterproof, so even if something spills inside, it’s fine. Easy to wipe down or rinse out — genuinely appreciated!
We pair it with frozen plastic bottles (more on that next!).
Frozen Plastic Bottles
This one is less of a product and more of a technique!
In summer, I always keep 500ml plastic bottles in the freezer.
I used to carry ice packs and ice neck rings — but ice packs just take up space, and neck rings warm up surprisingly fast.
Then I realized: freeze a water bottle, hand one to each kid, and they naturally hold it against the back of their neck or underarms — which are exactly the spots you should cool down for heat stroke prevention. When not in use, they go back in the AO cooler to stay cold.
It’s funny how kids naturally cool the right spots — the neck, underarms — which are exactly where medical professionals recommend cooling for heat management!
As the bottle melts, they drink from it too — so it doubles as a hydration reminder!
In summer, many convenience stores (konbini) in Japan sell pre-frozen plastic bottles. Not every store carries them and they sell out quickly, but they’re great for topping up on the go during outings. If you spot them, grab extras — they’ll keep for the next trip!
Stanley Tumbler
My husband was already a Stanley fan, and I eventually started using one too. Honestly, I used to think any insulated bottle would do the job — but the temperature retention on these genuinely surprised me.
I left one in a hot car in peak summer and came back to find ice still inside. I’m now a full convert.
In summer I love the 600ml (20 oz) version with a straw flip lid. It’s light enough for kids to carry and hangs easily from a stroller hook — so you can drink from it without even unclipping it from the stroller.
The 600ml ran out too fast as the kids got older, so I recently added the 1.1L (37 oz) version too.
It holds plenty of ice and drink — but it’s heavier, so I don’t hang it from the stroller.
The 1.1L version fits a convenience store (konbini) bag of ice perfectly.
The Stanley lineup changes frequently with new products constantly being added. The specific models I use may not all still be available, but I’m planning a separate article with more details on how to choose the right size — so stay tuned!
Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw 2.0 Vacuum Tumbler 0.89L (30 oz)
Other colors and sizes may be available on Amazon — worth checking the full listing!
Handheld Fan (Rhythm Silky Wind Mobile 3.2)
I’d had an old handheld fan for years, but the battery life had gotten so poor I finally decided to replace it.
- Long battery life
- Adjustable angle
- Carabiner clip or something to attach it to a bag
The built-in carabiner clips onto a stroller frame or bag handle easily — super convenient.
It comes with a neck strap for hands-free use, folds flat to work as a desk fan, and the angle is fully adjustable — a genuine 3-in-1 design.
It weighs just about 150g (5.3 oz) and charges via USB-C — same as most phones. One detail I quietly appreciate: it requires a 1-second long press to turn on, which prevents accidental activation at the bottom of a bag! Battery life is up to 10 hours on low mode and 15 hours on rhythm mode.
The moss green one is the newer version. The updated battery indicator now shows remaining charge in 3 levels — a welcome improvement!
In peak summer heat, a fan outdoors is basically just blowing hot air at you! But combined with a frozen bottle, you can actually create a cool breeze.
My old fan had no angle adjustment, so I’d have to hold it up the entire time during bedtime wind-downs. This one I can just set on the table and let it run on a gentle breeze — it’s been a game-changer for nap time.
It uses a dual counter-rotating fan design — compact but surprisingly powerful. I personally use it mostly on low/gentle mode at home, but I still remember being genuinely impressed by the airflow when I compared it to other fans in the store. New models keep coming out, so grab the latest version!
Sun Protection Essentials
Alobaby Sunscreen
I don’t think tanning is inherently bad, but I personally go bright red and it hurts — so sun protection is genuinely necessary for me.
As a nurse, I used to apply transdermal patches — medication absorbed directly through the skin — for patients. Seeing how effectively those worked made me start wondering: what else is my skin absorbing from what I put on it?
Since sunscreen is something you apply repeatedly, I wanted to use something skin-friendly even if it cost a bit more. That’s how I landed on Alobaby — a Japanese baby skincare brand known for its gentle formulations.
Safe from birth, made with naturally-derived ingredients and free from chemical UV absorbers. It’s also free from 8 common irritants including synthetic fragrances and alcohol — gentle enough for even the most sensitive baby skin.
Alobaby makes 4 different sunscreen products.
I’ve tried all of them, but my top picks are the All-in-One UV Milk (SPF28 PA+++) and the Water Proof UV Milk (SPF50+ PA++++).
For camping and heavy outdoor activities, even the outdoor mist doesn’t feel like quite enough protection, so we use these two plus a separate bug repellent spray.
The sun protection genuinely works — I can feel the difference.
The water-proof version requires soap to remove, but the other two wash off with warm water. Washing kids’ faces can be a struggle — using a warm wet towel to wipe first makes it much easier!
Note: The SPF50+ and SPF35 versions share the same Rakuten listing — check the product options carefully!
Sun Umbrella (Montbell O.D. 2-Way Umbrella 50)
I used to think any sun umbrella would do the job — but once I tried an outdoor brand umbrella, I realized how much difference there actually is.
In Japan, using a sun umbrella (日傘, higasa) is completely normal for everyone — men, women, and children alike. It’s one of the most effective and widely accepted ways to block direct sun exposure during the brutal summer months. If you’re not used to carrying an umbrella just for sun protection, Japan might just convert you!
UV block rate of 99.7%, plus a heat-blocking coating on the inside of the fabric.
It weighs just about 214g (7.5 oz). Incredibly light — easy to use even when you’re also carrying a baby and pushing a stroller.
Works in both sun and rain — another great feature.
I used folding umbrellas for years, but I started finding the constant opening and closing a hassle. Since I’m usually with a stroller anyway, a full-length umbrella works perfectly — no folding required.
I can hang it from a stroller hook and keep it out of the way when not in use.
The tip is designed to be rounded rather than sharp — safer than most umbrellas in crowded spaces!
There’s also a folding version available — pick whichever suits your lifestyle!
#1128752 (Umbrella 50): 86.5cm diameter / 61cm length when closed
#1128753 (Umbrella 60): 101cm diameter / 71cm length when closed
Montbell O.D. 2-Way Umbrella 60 #1128753 — Sun & Rain, UPF50+
The Montbell official website may have a lower price — worth checking!
Bonus Section
Shimano ICEBOX PRO 30L
I always thought hard coolers were just for camping and BBQs — but they’ve turned out to be incredibly useful in everyday life too.
We used to use an old Coleman cooler that had belonged to my husband’s grandmother. Once we started camping more seriously, the lid no longer sealed properly, so it was time for an upgrade.
- Serious cooling performance
- Flat sides with no protruding locks or latches
- Easy to keep clean
- Opens from both sides
We drive a standard 5-seat car, so space is limited. Small protruding parts kept getting in the way, so I specifically wanted something with flat, smooth sides. A friend brought this one camping and let me test it in our car — it fit perfectly. It’s on the pricier side for a cooler, but it had everything I wanted and it’s a long-term buy, so we went for it.
No side latches and opens from both ends means you can open the lid straight up from above when it’s in the car — easy to get in and out in tight spaces.
We keep it in front of the car seats in the back, and it also stops things the kids drop from rolling under the seats!
Opens from either end — no need to worry about which way it’s facing!
Shimano — a Japanese brand best known for cycling and fishing equipment — also produces the ICEBOX series for camping and outdoor use. With 6-sided vacuum panel insulation plus foam urethane, ice retention is up to 10 days. The 30L size holds up to 24 standard 500ml (17 oz) bottles.
One small downside: 2L (67 oz) bottles don’t fit standing upright. Our previous cooler had a hollowed-out lid that allowed for taller bottles, but this one doesn’t. For us, performance wins over that one limitation.
Of course they fit on their side with room to spare, and there’s a drain plug so you can rinse it out easily. Despite having a drain hole, the ice barely melts!
Shimano makes two cooler lines — the fishing-specific “Fixcel” series and the camping-focused “ICEBOX” series. Same insulation performance, slightly different specs:
| Feature | ICEBOX PRO (Camping) | Fixcel (Fishing) |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Khaki (matte finish) | White (glossy finish) |
| Included accessories | Simple (body only) | Shoulder strap & non-slip rubber feet |
| Fish loading hatch | None (full-lid opening only) | Yes (insert fish without opening lid fully) |
The Fixcel is designed for fishing — the white color minimizes heat absorption from sunlight. The design is also really cute! There are similar-looking coolers at much lower prices, but the budget versions have significantly weaker insulation. Make sure you’re buying the right one!
At a summer camping trip I packed frozen meat to bring along — and it was still completely solid by nighttime. The cooling power is unreal.
We keep it in the car year-round. It’s great for drinks on road trips, bringing back regional food safely, and when grocery shopping — no need to rush home with fresh produce or ice cream anymore.
LOGOS Super Ice Pack (Sub-Zero Series)
No cooler is complete without an ice pack. The larger one on the left is L size, the smaller one is M. The blue one is unfrozen, the whitish one is frozen.
When it comes to ice packs, LOGOS — a popular Japanese outdoor brand — makes what I consider the best one available.
About 8x the cooling power of a standard ice pack, with a surface temperature of -16°C (3°F). Simply put: extremely cold and extremely long-lasting. Available in M, L, and XL — choose the right size for your needs!
Freezing time is 18–24 hours (roughly half the time of older formulas) — but if your freezer is full or you’re freezing multiple packs at once, they can still be unfrozen the next morning. If you’re planning to use them, pop them in the freezer early!
According to the LOGOS official FAQ, the inner contents use plant-based natural materials — so even if the outer casing is somehow damaged, there’s no risk to people or food. One more reassuring detail.
LOGOS Super Ice Pack (Sub-Zero Series)
By the way — the M size fits perfectly in the bottom of the AO soft cooler (5.7L) I mentioned at the start! I use it as a base layer with frozen bottles on top, which keeps cold drinks within reach all day even in summer.
Wrapping Up
Everything in this post is a long-term investment — things you buy once and use for years. Mix and match with what you already have, and hopefully make Japan’s brutal summers just a little more bearable and enjoyable!
Thanks so much for reading all the way through!
