Rain gear

The topic of this issue is “Rain gear”. Umbrellas, raincoats, rain shoes… In Japan, where rainfall is heavy throughout the year, such rain gear is one of the essential commodities for daily life. Although there are some regional differences, there is a rainy season and typhoons from summer to fall, and snow in winter. So, rain gear is needed all year round in Japan. Now, so our question to you all is this. How much rainfall do you use your rain gear for? Some people will use rain gear early, even if it rains very little, while others will not use rain gear, even if it rains quite a bit. It seems that different countries, regions, and cultures have different standards for the frequency of use of such rain gear, doesn’t it? So, let me tell you about the general tendency of the Japanese people in this regard. Even in light rain, many people use umbrellas in Japan. In recent years, this seems to be especially true for men and women of all ages. Many people overseas are often surprised by this. Well, it seems that since long ago, Japanese people have tended to avoid getting their clothes and bodies wet in the rain. It was the same for people of high status as well as the general public. The main reason for this was probably largely due to the characteristics of this country’s climate. As we have mentioned several times in other articles, Japan’s climate is humid with high rainfall. Therefore, once the body and the clothes get wet, it is difficult to dry them. In summer, when the temperature is high, there is kind of smell mildewy… That peculiar bad smell can seriously diminish the quality of life. As Japanese people’s lives have become more affluent and their daily clothing and personal belongings more expensive and fashionable, they are even more inclined to avoid getting wet. For this reason, the Japanese today have become a nation of people who use rain gear quite frequently.

As a result, Japanese rain gear has become very diverse. As fashionable as they may be, many rain gears are also quite excellent in terms of functionality. Although it is now a familiar item in other countries as well, the plastic umbrella is one of the most unique rain gear originating from Japan. Also, the increase in the lightweight and robustness of folding umbrellas is remarkable. There are many Japanese who carry a folding umbrella on a regular basis. Even today, many other new products with new mechanisms and materials are released every year. Therefore, it would be very interesting if you pay attention to them.

In recent years, more and more people from overseas have come to Japan, and we are seeing more and more of them in our daily lives. This makes it possible to find many cultural differences in many aspects, even when it comes to a single item of “rain gear”. It is very interesting. If you have any insights or discoveries, please let us know.