Use a parasol for elegant UV protection! Let's incorporate Japanese culture into our lifestyle

If you visit Japan in the summer, have you ever seen a woman walking down the street with an umbrella on a hot day? You may be wondering, "Why are you holding an umbrella when it's sunny?" "What kind of effect does it have?"

FUN! JAPAN Editor, who lives in Japan and learns Japanese traditions and culture every day, will tell you the charm of parasols. We will also introduce some tips on parasols that are unique to Japan and how to choose an umbrella.

3 tips on umbrellas that I learned when I came to Japan

In Japan, the sun is so strong that you get heatstroke in summer, and it rains a lot during the year, so I have more opportunities to use an umbrella after living in Japan. However, it was basically only a few months because it would break as soon as heavy rains and typhoons continued. So, when I bought it at an umbrella specialty store, the clerk taught me how to choose an umbrella and how to make it last longer. Check to see if you're handling it right.

① How long is the life of the umbrella?

Japanese umbrellas are generally said to last 4 to 5 years. Inexpensive items have relatively weak skeletons and may be damaged by strong winds. In the case of a parasol that has been UV-cut, the useful life of the UV-cut is about 2 to 3 years. You can use it for a longer time by cleaning it with "UV cut spray".

② Does the color of the parasol affect the effect of UV protection? What color is the best?

It doesn't matter what the surface color is as long as it is UV-cut, but it is recommended to choose a black inside parasol to prevent the reflection of ultraviolet rays from the ground. Please note that white and silver are prone to diffuse reflection!

③ What is the key to making an umbrella last longer?

If you fold an umbrella wet in the rain without drying it, it will easily become moldy and germs due to humidity, so open the umbrella and dry it in the shade in a well-ventilated place after using it. Be aware that if the weather is nice and exposed to direct sunlight, it will fade and the surface treatment will be less effective.

Making Japanese culture a trend in your own country

In Southeast Asia, where the days are hotter than in Japan, you have to be more careful with your skin. Since living in Japan, FUN! JAPAN Editor has been influenced by Japanese culture, and parasols have become a must-have item for summer days.

Incorporate new customs for beauty awareness and go out to the city with a charming parasol. If you can use it fashionably, you may be the one who brings new trends to your country ^^

High-quality and high-performance parasols have evolved with Japan's unique technology

In Japan, parasols were used along with Japanese clothes, but they were not very popular with women. It is said that the change occurred 20 years ago when a parasol processed for UV (ultraviolet rays) was put on the market. Until then, the UV cut rate was about 50%, but UV-processed parasols can now cut in the 80-90% range! For this reason, young women have come to point to it, and the custom of holding an umbrella from young people to the elderly has spread throughout Japan.

Also, as a cut against ultraviolet rays and infrared rays, it is good to use "hat or parasol + sunscreen cream", but a Japanese beauty expert told me that a parasol can cover a wider range than a hat and is highly effective.

FUN! JAPAN Select Shop sells parasols for both sunny and rainy days handmade by Japanese craftsmen. Take this opportunity to check it out!

• Lightweight Foldable Jacquard Umbrella