In summer, my electricity bill skyrockets because I keep the air conditioner running around the clock.
The August payment came to ¥23,255 (about USD 160). That covers the electricity I used from mid-June to mid-July, withdrawn automatically on August 1. The previous bill, for mid-May through mid-June, was only ¥11,877. In other words, as soon as the heat sets in, the cost instantly doubles.
Some people might think, “What a waste, running the AC all day and night!” But Japan’s summer heat is extreme. It’s not just the high temperatures, the humidity is relentless. The climate is very much like Florida—sweltering, sticky, and unforgiving.
Without air conditioning, the heat can be life-threatening. Sweat pours out but never evaporates in the damp air. Shirts stay soaked and soon take on the sour smell of a damp rag. It’s unbearable. The last thing I want is to collapse from heatstroke while wrapped in bacteria-ridden fabric.
If someone were planning a trip to Japan and asked for my advice, I’d probably say to avoid midsummer (mid-June to mid-September). At least in my view, it’s simply far too hot and humid to enjoy.
My favorite time of year is from October through February. October is autumn festival season, November brings breathtaking red and gold autumn leaves, December glitters with city lights and holiday illuminations, and January welcomes the New Year. As for February—well, I can’t explain it, but I’ve always been fond of it.
