Japanese summers are no joke. The heat and humidity arrive early and stay late — and with a baby who cannot regulate body temperature the way adults can, we quickly realized that heading outside without a plan was not a good idea.
Here is what we have been using to keep our baby comfortable during summer outings in Japan.
Why Japanese Summer Is Hard on Babies
Japan’s summer is characterized by high temperatures combined with very high humidity. This combination makes it feel significantly hotter than the actual temperature, and babies are particularly vulnerable because their sweat glands are not yet fully developed.
We noticed early on that our baby would get sweaty and uncomfortable surprisingly quickly — both in the stroller and in the baby carrier. That became our motivation to put together a proper summer kit.
What We Use
Stroller Cooling Seat (保冷シート)
The first thing we started using was a cooling seat pad for the stroller. The area between a baby’s back and the stroller seat gets hot and stuffy very quickly, especially during train rides and long outings. Having a cooling pad made a noticeable difference in keeping our baby comfortable. We use it in the stroller and in the baby carrier too.
[Like this stroller cooling pad] [I use this compact one]
Stroller Fan
We are planning to add a stroller fan to our setup. When choosing one, the things that mattered most to us were safety (fingers cannot get in), quiet operation, and a secure attachment. There are many options available in Japan, and getting this right felt important.
[Like this stroller fan] [Japanese stroller fan is similar to overseas]
Jinbei (甚平)
We recently tried dressing our baby in a jinbei for summer outings and it has been a great choice. Jinbei are traditional Japanese summer garments — loose, lightweight, and with minimal constriction. They are cool, comfortable, and perfect for both casual outings and summer festivals. There is also something lovely about the way they capture the feeling of a Japanese summer.
[This jinbei like romper is one choice] [I love this Japanese baby jinbei]
Baby Carrier UV Cape (抱っこ紐ケープ)
We picked up a UV-cut cape that attaches to both the stroller and the baby carrier. It has a hood that covers the baby from head to toe, blocking direct sunlight. The material is designed to feel cool, though on very hot days we combine it with other cooling items as well.
[Like this cape] [I use it in Japan]
A Note on Japan’s Summer Heat
May already feels warm here, which means July and August are going to be intense. Heat exhaustion is a real concern, so we try to plan outings for early morning or evening when possible, and always keep water on hand.
Summer with a baby in Japan requires a bit more preparation than other seasons — but with the right gear, it is still very much enjoyable.
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