The weather’s turned cold in Japan and if you’re from a warm climate like me, this may be your first time enjoying sub-freezing temperatures. Additionally, homes in Tokyo rarely have the same insulation and central heating that some foreigners may be used to. It’s not the same, but with a few simple tips, you can make sure to stay warm and toasty in Japan this winter season.
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Air Conditioning Heater Function 暖房（だんぼう）
More often than not, your air conditioner is actually an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit, which has a heater function. While not always the most economical option, it will definitely help warm up a cold room.
Electric Oil Heater
Electric oil heaters (オイルヒーター) seem to be more common in certain areas abroad, but they also make for a nice, safe way to heat a room. In a country prone to earthquakes, I’m hesitant to leave anything involving oil plugged in and unattended, but despite the name, these are a safe option. Oil is heated via a small electric heater and circulated through coils. Put this in front of a doorway or window with a little bit of a draft, and the incoming air will get warmed. Everything’s enclosed, so there are no safety concerns you need to worry about when leaving it on overnight. Additionally, compared to HVAC units, electric oil heaters won’t dry out the air as much and leave you waking up with a sore throat. The overall effect will heat the area slower, but at a lower cost.
Space Heater
If you need heat immediately in a localized area, a space heater, or ストーブ may be your best option. These are small heaters, often with a small metal grate protecting an electric heating element, that provide a lot of heat directly to their front sides. These aren’t great for warming an entire room and even with automatic shutoff features, they aren’t the safest option. That said, they’re a great way to warm your feet when you’re working from home. Another common use for space heaters is to warm your immediate surroundings when you first turn on your HVAC unit while the room is warming up.
Kotatsu こたつ
If your home has the space for one, a kotatsu is the best way to keep a small area warm. These low tables have a heating element underneath, and a specially designed kotatsu blanket can safely be set on top. Sandwiching the blanket onto the table base is a flat table top, leaving you with a flat work space to use as needed. Kotatsu are perfect for having a nabe (hotpot) party with your close friends, as long as no one minds the occasional game of footsie. For smaller apartments, some people will use a kotatsu as their main dining / study / work table, all year round. With a removable (and thankfully, washable) blanket, the table can easily be adapted to any season in Japan. If you’re keen on saving space and don’t mind sitting low to the ground, kotatsu are a great option.
HEATTECH
Uniqlo does basics extremely well. In the summer, their AIRism series helps keep Tokyo’s sticky weather at bay. Likewise, in the winter, their HEATTECH series provides the basic inner layer most of us need to survive the cold. While the thinner series of shirts already provide a great deal of warmth, their thicker undershirts will keep you warm in even the coldest conditions in Japan if your clothing has enough wiggle room to allow for it. For extra warmth, stock up on some HEATTECH socks for your cold commutes. Uniqlo will occasionally have sales on their HEATTECH line. However, it’s well worth the extra premium to get warm sooner rather than later even if you have to shop outside of the sale season. Use the sales to stock up on extras to cycle in as your originals wear out.
Insulation
If your home is like mine, it’s not built for extreme cold. The further north you live, it seems like the better insulated homes are. But in Tokyo, a lot is up to you to DIY the best you can.
Many home centers or 100 yen shops offer such solutions to keep your home warm. Aluminum sheets, similar to emergency blankets, are a great way to insulate under your carpets to keep the flooring warm. This is especially necessary if you use a kotatsu or futon, or are otherwise often on the floor. Chills from drafty windows can be fixed with a bit of plastic wrap and tape along the edges.
Be wary of covering too much to avoid ending up with condensation dripping down the inside of your windows. Try to cut just enough of the wrap to help cover the inevitable gaps your window frame may have.
The spaces underneath doors, both internal and external, can be the source of a draft. Foam tape or plastic door guards can be installed with minimal damage to a rented apartment and provide much warmer temperatures. Some stores sell elongated, weighted cushions to be placed against the bottom of doors to block drafts.
If your only concern is warmth and not interior design, towels, old blankets, and old pillows can be used to a similar effect—and you probably already have some lying around.
Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes the cheapest way to stay warm in Japan is to adapt. As much as I love not wearing socks around the house, keeping them on in the winter means I don’t have to turn my heater as high.
If possible, try to only heat the specific room you need and keep the heat trapped in the room by keeping closet doors closed, as well as any doors that go into rooms you’re not using. Curtains between rooms can also help keep heat from escaping. If you live in an apartment with a loft, using curtains to block off the loft can make a considerable difference in the temperature of your main room.
Most heater units offer the option to set a timer for the heater to turn on. Timing this about an hour before you return from work means you can come home to a warm living room.
On especially cold days, a bath can warm you up a lot more than a shower can too. The bathroom may be cold, but as soon as you sink into the warm bath, you’ll find it difficult to get out.
Winter in Japan offers some great seasonal food, and there’s nothing quite like a warm canned coffee while waiting for a train. If you can find a way to deal with the cold, there are lots of positives to be had this season. Stay warm!
Need help with figuring out living in Tokyo? Our Tokyo 101 guides take the stress out of navigating life in Japan.
Glossary
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| air conditioning heater function | 暖房（だんぼう） | danbou |
| electric oil heaters | オイルヒーター | oiruhiitaa |
| space heater | ストーブ | sutoobu |
| kotatsu | こたつ | kotatsu |
Featured image by Puni Charana on Unsplash
