Before setting out on my summer Shikoku pilgrimage, I prepared several ways to cope with the heat.
A cooling body wipe.
A cooling towel that works by soaking it in water and wrapping it around the neck.
A face mask that is also activated with water.
A portable neck fan.
And a cooling plate, together with a fan, placed between my backpack and my back.
Since I would be walking for hours under the summer sun, I wanted to prepare as much as I could.
After actually walking, I realized that each item had its own purpose.
The cooling towel and face mask became my favorites.
Whenever I reached a temple or another stop, I soaked them in water again.
They dried quickly while walking, but they could be refreshed over and over again.
The cooling plate and fan also made a difference.
They helped reduce the heat building up on my back and made long hours of walking a little more comfortable.
On the other hand, the cooling body wipes were not for me.
The menthol sensation felt stronger than I expected, so I rarely used them.
That experience reminded me that heat-protection products are very personal.
What feels comfortable for one person may not suit another.
Still, every cooling method has its limits.
Even after using my spare battery pack, the late afternoon sun was exhausting.
During a pilgrimage, reaching the day’s destination before sunset is often essential.
On mountain paths or in remote areas, stopping halfway is not always an option.
That is why heat protection is more than a matter of comfort.
It is part of preparing to walk safely.
Around the world, people deal with heat in different ways.
In many countries, deodorant products are far more common than the cooling products widely available in Japan.
Climate and daily habits often shape how people cope with summer.
The lessons I learned on the pilgrimage have continued to help me.
When I visited Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai during the intense summer heat, I brought the same cooling towel, water-activated face mask, cooling plate, and portable fan.
Although the Expo offers places to rest and refill water, spending hours outdoors can still be physically demanding.
I once again realized how much these simple preparations could reduce fatigue.
Useful products certainly help.
However, they cannot prevent heat-related illness by themselves.
Regular hydration, replacing electrolytes when necessary, taking breaks before becoming exhausted, and avoiding overexertion remain the basics of staying safe.
If you would like to learn more about hydration and electrolyte replacement, you may also enjoy my previous article about OS-1.
To keep traveling.
And to return home safely.
The most important thing we can carry is not another gadget, but the habit of listening to our own body.
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