When it comes to rainy season essentials, no doubt you’ve got your basic gear, like a sturdy mini-umbrella for unexpected downpours and cute waterproof pumps. But, this list of 10 must-haves for Japan’s rainy season covers all you need to keep your home free from mold and odors.
10 Must-Haves For Japan’s Rainy Season
This post contains affiliate links. All items available on Amazon Japan.
1. Magnetic Umbrella Stand
Conventional umbrella stands are practical but that take up valuable space in your home’s entrance. This slim and sturdy magnetic umbrella stand, on the other hand, attaches to your door, no assembly required!
It comfortably holds 3-4 umbrellas at a time, including mini-umbrellas.There is a small compartment above the umbrella hook where you can store a bottle of hand sanitizer, a pen or stamp for accepting packages, keys, a flashlight, etc..
2. Non-Slip Microfiber Mat
Despite the unpredictability of Japan’s rainy season, you can be sure that there will be water everywhere. However, you can keep your gekan from turning into a wading pool with this ultra-absorbent non-slip microfiber mat from Yamazaki Sangyo.
It weighs less than 1 kg and is made up of microfibers that store up to 4L of liquid. Overall, its simple appearance and functionality makes this a practical choice for rainy days.
3. Muko-Kukan Fragrance-Free Deodorant Beads
Humidity is a huge problem during the rainy season, which leads to mildew, mold, and… weird smells. Using air freshener is a temporary fix, but if you don’t eliminate the source of odors, you’ll only end up making things smell worse. That’s where these Muko-Kukan Fragrance-Free Deodorant Beads come in.
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Rather than masking unpleasant smells, the gel beads absorb them. Muko Kukan comes in different sizes that you can place all over your house, like the genkan, shoe closet, and kitchen! The canisters are reusable, so it’s good to have a few refill packages on hand.
4. Ariel Laundry Pods for Indoor Drying
The unpredictability of Japan’s rainy season makes it nearly impossible to pinpoint when you’ll be able to hang your clothes outside to dry. As a result, most people end up hanging their clothes indoors. While this is an obvious and practical solution, it can result in smelly laundry.
Ariel is a brand of laundry detergent known for tackling tough stains and odors. Its name, in fact, is a reference to the Japanese phrase “Arieru?” (Is that even possible?). This version of Ariel Laundry Pods for Indoor Drying is specifically formulated for indoor drying as it stamps out odor-causing bacteria on damp clothes.
5. Iris Ohyama Indoor Laundry Rack
Just because you’ve bought a special bottle of laundry detergent doesn’t mean that you’ll never have to worry about drying your clothes indoors. It’s all about HOW to hang your laundry indoors to dry.
For starters, hang your laundry as soon as the entire wash cycle is completed. As you hang your laundry, be sure that there is space between each item – this allows for better air circulation. This Iris Ohyama indoor laundry rack is a great item to have on hand. Not only does it have evenly spaced hanger tabs, it’s also sturdy enough to support a futon.
6. Iris Ohyama Futon Dryer
Futon and other bedding need to be aired out regularly, which is practically impossible during the rainy season. Get yourself an Iris Ohyama Futon Dryer to remove any moisture that may have accumulated overnight.
It has 4 different modes: winter (冬); summer (夏); warming (あたため); and dust mites (ダニ). The time and temperature of each mode is adjustable. In addition, this twin nozzle version can handle two futon at once. As a bonus, you can also use the Iris Ohyama Futon Dryer to air out your damp shoes or warm them up on a cold morning!
7. Sharp Plasmacluster Dehumidifier & Air Purifier
Preventing mold during the rainy season is one of the biggest reasons why you should invest in a dehumidifier. Mold can grow on practically any surface as long as there’s enough moisture.This is why you’ll want a quality machine that will effectively remove moisture from the air while keeping the room comfortable.
You’ll find Sharp Plasmacluster machines like this one all over Japan – homes, restaurants, hotel rooms, clinics and hospitals – all year long. The Plasmacluster ions work to reduce odors as the machine adjusts the humidity levels of the room. Use its rainy season mode (梅雨 // tsuyu) to keep humidity levels low.
8. Dry Pet Charcoal Humidity Absorbers
Speaking of humidity (湿気 // shikke), this value pack of Dry Pet charcoal humidity absorbers is idea for preventing the buildup of moisture (and odors) in small, dark spaces. Place them in your closet, shoe box, and cabinets underneath the sink. They work by attracting, absorbing, and trapping excess moisture in the air. As a matter of fact, in “ideal” conditions (25℃, 80% humidity), one canister can absorb nearly 420 ml of moisture!
9. Ofuro no Boukabi Kunenzai
Another product you must have on hand in your rainy season arsenal is Ofuro no Boukabi Kunenzai. It’s a fogger that prevents the formation of mold in the bathroom, which is the prime spot for mold growth.
To use Ofuro no Boukabi Kunenzai effectively, start off with a clean bathroom. Once you’ve activated the product, immediately close the bathroom door and let it do its thing for about 90 minutes. Then, ventilate your bathroom and home for 30 minutes.
10. Kabi Killer
As you can see, “mold=bad” is the overlying theme of this list of 10 must-haves for Japan’s rainy season. And, the aptly named Kabi Killer, is a fantastic bleach-based cleaner that delivers on its word to eliminate mold in your bathroom, kitchen, or washing machine. (Kabi, by the way, is the Japanese word for “mold,” and Kabi Fighter is a similar product with comparable results).
NOTE: Kabi Killer and Kabi Fighter are both highly toxic products. Use only in a well-ventilated room and wear a mask and rubber gloves. DO NOT MIX WITH OTHER PRODUCTS.
10 Must-Haves For Japan’s Rainy Season
Once you’ve stocked up on these 10 must-haves for Japan’s rainy season, be sure to prepare for summer. Check out these “summer in Japan” shopping guides:
50 Must-Haves For Summer in Japan
Get Glowing Skin This Summer — 10 Japanese Skincare Products To Try
7 Best Skincare Products For Summer in Japan
7 Japanese Sunscreens To Try This Summer
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