5 traditional Japanese ways to stay warm with less energy

The cost of living is significantly rising this winter, and we are required cost-effective ways to keep warm, using as few heaters as possible. Ancient Japanese traditions of thermal protection wisdom will surely give you some tips on how to save electricity.

Hot water bottle, Yutanpo

Yutanpo were hot water bottles brought in from China and are still popular today. They are metal or plastic containers filled with hot water, and can be placed on the waist, stomach, or at the foot of the bed to keep the body warm.

Recently, there are also ones with heat-retaining agents that can be heated in a microwave oven and rechargeable electric hot water bottles. They are more reasonable than other heating devices and are an excellent way to reduce utility costs.

Kairo Heat packs

Disposable heat packs, launched by Lotte Health Industry in 1978, are still valued today as a compact product to easily keep warm wherever you are. The product uses the heat generated when the iron powder is oxidized and is sold in a sealed package with a non-woven fabric filled with iron powder, which begins to generate heat as soon as the package is opened.

The average temperature is about 60 degrees Celsius, and the duration is as long as about 15 hours, depending on the product. There are both stick-on and non-applied types, and they can be used in various ways, such as on the waist or in hand. It is an item that will make your cold morning commute a whole lot more comfortable.

If you are concerned about generating waste, consider using rechargeable heat packs.

Desk with a heat source inside, Kotatsu

The kotatsu is a heating device that has been useful for more than 500 years. It consists of a special desk on the floor with a heat source inside and covered outside with a blanket. In the past, charcoal and other materials were used as heat sources, but electric devices are replacing them today.

The whole family gathering around in a kotatsu and having dinner and watching TV together is a traditional way to spend a warm winter in Japan. In recent years, you can also find a mini kotatsu made for one person.

Brazier, Hibachi

A brazier, made of ceramics, wood, or metal, is a device used to keep warm by placing ashes inside and burning charcoal on top of them and was already in use as early as 700. Brazier has been used not only for warming but also for boiling water and simple cooking.

Although fewer and fewer people use braziers nowadays, the unique aroma of the brazier, the sound of burning charcoal, and the charm and value of braziers that provide spiritual comfort are being reevaluated. Some people purchase them at antique and flea markets and use them again.

Kimono filled with cotton padding, Dotera

Dotera is Japanese kimono designed to keep out the cold. It is made of thick woolen cloth, filled with cotton padding for warmth, and has long been used as a cloak over a kimono or as a blanket. They have been especially useful in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, where it is very cold, and are still offered at Japanese-style inns.

These tools have been passed down through the ages to the present day, and they continue to evolve in ways that adapt to the modern age without losing value. What traditional cold-protection wisdom passed down in your community?

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