“10 Self-Care Activities To Do On A Rainy Day”の日本語版はこちら: 梅雨を楽しく乗り切るセルフケア10選
“April showers bring May flowers,” …unless you live in Japan when the “May Blues” (gogatsubyou) lead into the rainy season! However, there’s more to the rainy season than gloom. In fact, with the right self-care activities, a rainy day can even bring calm and peace. Take advantage of what Japan’s rainy season can bring with these 10 self-care activities to do on a rainy day.
10 Self-Care Activities To Do On A Rainy Day
1. Hot Spring Bathing
Natural hot spring baths, or onsen (温泉) are found in every region of Japan, and they are a popular “relax and refresh” getaway spot. Hot springs differ by their mineral deposits, which attract visitors from all over Japan seeking relief from physical ailments
Hot springs are simply more than a means to cleanse your body. A soak in an onsen is an experience meant to rejuvenate the body and soul. In fact, you may even discover that bathing with strangers is oddly therapeutic. A long soak gives you time to focus on your body, its needs, and your connection to it.
2. Café Hopping
Rainy days and coffee (or tea) are a classic combination! Make the most of a dreary day by popping into that quaint little café that caught your eye a while back. Whether you plan to work, daydream, or people-watch, the soothing ambience of a café on a rainy day will certainly boost your mood.
If you’re up for a bit of exploration, the Shimokitazawa area of Tokyo is known for its coffee scene. Hop aboard the Keio-Inokashira Line and be on the lookout for the colorful hydrangea blooms along the tracks between Shimokitazawa and Meidaimae Stations.
3. Visit a Museum
According to the Agency of Cultural Affairs, there are nearly 5,740 museums across Japan, covering a variety of subjects such as art, religion, science, and history. If you’re stumped for suggestions, here are 3 museums in Japan worth visiting on a rainy day:
teamLab
teamLab is a group of artists and technologists behind Tokyo’s widely popular and interactive museums, teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets. Additional exhibits in Japan include teamLab Forest Fukuoka and teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka
The Railway Museum
Given that Japan is practically synonymous with trains, it’s hardly surprising that there are museums dedicated to the history of Japan’s railways. Among the museums are The Railway Museum in Saitama, and the Kyoto Railway Museum, where you’ll find an impressive collection of train cars, including shinkansen.
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum is the oldest national museum in Japan, the largest art museum in Japan, and one of the largest art museums in the world. Its collection is largely of Asian artifacts, with a focus on Japanese art.
4. At-Home Spa Day
One tried-and-true way to elevate your mood on a rainy day is to pamper yourself with an at-home spa day.
Start by exfoliating your skin – mix and apply our Green Radiance Clay Mask to the face and a gentle scrub like House of Rose Body Smoother on the body. Next, add Babu, a carbonated bath bomb, to your bath water and soak.
Once you’re done, slip on these Perorin foot peeling booties and Megrhythm Gentle Steam Eye Mask to give yourself some extra TLC – you deserve it!
The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
5. Take Yourself On a Movie Date
Remember when you added that new K-drama to your watchlist… and 2 months later you still haven’t watched it? Use a rainy day to finally binge–watch all those neglected dramas, movies, and documentaries on your watchlist.
Once you’re all caught up, head to the movie theater to watch the latest big budget production on the big screen. Many Japanese cinema chains often have a point scheme in which you can earn one free movie ticket after watching 6 movies. Given that the rainy season lasts for about 4 to 6 weeks on average, you might be able to earn yourself a free ticket!
6. Take a Hydrangea Walk
Gray skies are no problem when you’ve got the vibrant blooms of hydrangeas to add some much-needed color to your day. Hydrangea bushes come to life during the rainy season and seem to be practically everywhere. Grab your camera and go on a rain walk, taking photos of reflections, raindrops, and splashes of white, pink, blue, and purple hydrangeas.
Temples and shrines are a relaxing destination, and the seaside town of Kamakura, in Kanagawa Prefecture is a prime spot for a cultural excursion. But, if you’re up for a bit of adventure, book an excursion to the island of Izu Oshima, and take a ride along its winding 4 km long “Hydrangea Rainbow Line.”
7. Play Arcade Games
Have you ever been to an arcade, or “game center”, in Japan? If not, you’re missing out on a fantastic way to beat the boredom of a rainy day!
You needn’t worry if you’re not good at video games or if you have no coordination when it comes to claw games. There’s a bit of something for everyone at an arcade. Along with claw games, there’s interactive rhythm and music games and mini-casino games. But, if you simply must head home with a prize, use your last coins to buy a quirky gaccha capsule toy or take some memorable photos at a purikura photo sticker booth.
Let’s get lost in a world made of books, coffee and rainy days.
8. Book a Staycation
A staycation can be just as fun as booking a “real” vacation and here’s why: Staycations provide the opportunity to relax and experience new things by cutting down the time and stress involved in planning a vacation.
Just think about all the mental and physical work that goes into a proper vacation – planning, packing, traveling/from to the destination, dealing with jet lag – no wonder we end up needing a vacation from our vacation!
To make the most of your rainy season staycation, book a room at a themed hotel. Hotels with character themed rooms (Disney, Godzilla, etc), the “robot hotel” and “Library Hotels” are just a few that spring to mind.
9. Get Creative
Did you know that coloring can be an effective way to help reduce and soothe anxiety? Coloring also helps you achieve mindfulness by allowing you to disconnect from intrusive thoughts and be present in the moment.
Coloring books in Japan labeled otona no (大人の) aren’t named so because of their racy content! Rather, the artwork is very detailed and requires a high degree of concentration. Try “getting in the zone” with a set of color pencils and this coloring book of sketches featuring flowers depicted in the Man’youshu, Japan’s oldest collection of poetry.
10. Learn Something New
It’s perfectly normal to feel sleepy and lazy on a rainy day. But, if you suffer from productivity guilt, you may feel angry with yourself for not taking advantage of the “perfect” opportunity to do household chores or catch up on work.
Give yourself permission to get comfortable and engage your mind with an audiobook, podcast, or TED talk. Multi-task if only absolutely necessary as the key goal is to improve mental clarity and information retention.
Recap: 10 Self-Care Activities To Do On A Rainy Day
There’s no need to despair when the weather forecast calls for rain. On the contrary, a rainy day can be the perfect opportunity to refresh and improve your state of mind! To recap, here are 10 self-care activities to do on a rainy day:
1. Hot Spring Bathing
2. Café Hopping
3. Visit a Museum
4. At-Home Spa Day
5. Take Yourself On a Movie Date
6. Take a Hydrangea Walk
7. Play Arcade Games
8. Book a Staycation
9. Get Creative
10. Learn Something New
Japan’s rainy season for 2022 is expected to start around June 11, a few days later than previous years. On average, the rainy season lasts for nearly 2 months, so there’s plenty of time to try out all 10 of the self-care activities listed here!
Recap: 10 Self-Care Activities To Do On A Rainy Day
