Different countries, different customs: while in Germany, for example, people tend to loosen their tie or leave it off altogether when it gets very hot, in Japan it is quickly turned into a cooling cloth – in the form of cooling ties with small cooling pads or special gel inserts worked into them. Some have terry cloth on the side that lies against the neck, which also soaks up sweat.
Japan is regarded as particularly creative when it comes to getting through the summer. Many of these methods may seem unusual to Europeans at first, but they are based on simple physiological principles: from a scientific point of view, cooling the neck, wrists, armpits and groin is especially effective because large blood vessels run close to the skin there. That is why Japanese cooling tricks can actually achieve more than their slightly quirky impression might suggest to us.
Cooling ice rings worn around the neck are also very popular in Japan. When the neck area is cooled, the perceived temperature of the entire body can drop. A colour-coordinated towel around the neck, which is moistened from time to time, is also often part of a summer outfit.
Tenugui cloths, small, thin traditional cotton towels that are moistened and discreetly worn under shirt collars, suits or hats, are also a common way of cooling down there.
