Courtesy of Idea International
Sol by Untrod, ¥8,400. Available from branches of Idea International and via www.idea-onlineshop.jp
Geta get bang up to date with this stylish reworking of the traditional Japanese clog. It’s the work of Mamechiyo Modern, a small brand that specializes in putting a 21st-century sheen on traditional clothing. The edgy blue grid design and striped strap combine to make a bold style statement, but the modern makeover isn’t just cosmetic: these geta have vinyl soles, meaning that they can be worn come rain or shine, and the wider bases provide added support for novice wearers. Geta pair before they sell out.
¥12,600. Available from branches of Mamechiyo Modern (4F Marui One, 3-1-20 Shinjuku; 3-32-2 Nishi-Ogikubo, Suginami-ku). www.mamechiyo.jp
It’s the stuff of horror movies: you’re out camping in the wilds and hear a rustling in the bushes, but when you whip out your flashlight to investigate the source of the noise, you discover that the battery has gone dead. Campers who invest in a Bun Bun Eco Light can spare themselves such nighttime terrors: when the power begins to give out, simply snap the two hinged sections at a right angle and begin spinning it around like an old-school football rattle. Not only will you recharge the flashlight, you might also bop that hungry bear on the nose while doing so.
Bun Bun Eco Light, ¥2,100. Available from branches of Tokyu Hands, Village Vanguard and outdoor stores.
Courtesy of M-Craft
Hieru One, ¥3,900. Available at branches of Tokyu Hands.
Courtesy of Idea International
Yuento Ele-fan, ¥10,500. Available from branches of Idea International.
When you’re reduced to going out wearing a cap with a solar-powered fan incorporated into the visor, it’s probably time to think about heading to somewhere like, ooh, Antarctica for the duration of the summer. The Solar Cap (¥979) is just one of the alternately brilliant and batty gadgets sold at Atsusa Taisaku (literally, Heat Countermeasures), a quite sublimely ugly website that specializes in heat-abating gizmos. Some of the products are featured elsewhere in this very article, but you’ll also find everything from cooling wipes and sweat pads to industrial-strength window blinds and temperature-regulating bedding developed for NASA.
