Summer time in Japan. Translation: scorching sunshine. You’ll want to be protected when you are outside watching festivals, like Yosakoi. There’s a reason Obon happens at night after
From my first trip to Japan in 2006 till now, there’s been an unwritten rule to “bring your own sunscreen”. I’m not sure if my coworkers all just assumed because it’s common to see people completely covered up in the summer that the Japanese sunscreen was ineffective, or what, but that thought has always been ingrained in my head.
Flash forward to last weekend. I wasn’t able to buy “the good stuff” and was planning on spending nearly the entire weekend out in the sun sightseeing. It’s getting warm out, sundresses and sunscreen are required. Not only that, have I mentioned the sun comes up around 4am? We don’t have daylight savings and they don’t call it the land of the rising sun for nothing. Apply early and apply often!
Where to find sunscreen in Japan
Due to the aforementioned unwritten rule, I’d never even LOOKED for sunscreen before in town but the pharmacy/beauty supply stores abound just like they do in the states so off I went. Fairly simple, find something that says “SPF” on it. If you can’t locate any, ask for日焼け止め (ひやけどめーhiyakedome, quite literally, ‘sunburn stop’). I love the convenience of being able to apply myself and always choose spray on versions.
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There are more utilitarian containers, and then there’s this little number from Disney which I went with.
Minnie Mouse Sunscreen SPF 50+Back of the packaging
Benefits of Sunscreen in Japan
My Minnie Mouse Japanese sunscreen provides all sorts of benefits:
- スーパーウィータープルーフ、Super Water Proof (there are others that don’
t have this feature, on the back it shows a picture of wate r, look for that to make sure you have a w ater proof one) - 石けんで落せる、Wash off with soap. Why did they had to specify that! Are there types that don’t?!
- さかさもOK! Use it upside down
- Safe for hair (are the kind you buy in American safe for hair?)
- Use over makeup
- Use for face and body
- Free of scents
After a full weekend in the sun I can attest, sunscreen bought in Japan DOES work excellently. So don’t worry about having to stock up! Oh, and all for about 600 yen!
What’s your experience with buying sunscreen abroad?
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