Japanese Ways to Combat the Cold

To avoid catching a cold this season, measures to counter Japan’s very dry, cold winter air can help; things like humidifiers and regular gargling, and most importantly, staying warm!

As the weather gets cooler, here are a few simple ideas borrowed from the Japanese to incorporate into your daily habits to help protect you from the cold:

Ginger

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As we’ve covered in our article about all-natural Japanese remedies to fight and prevent colds, ginger is the age-old quick fix when feeling chilly. It has been known widely since ancient times for its ability to aid blood circulation and warm the body.

Tea lovers can add ginger to their drinks, either as a slice or as minced ginger. If grating fresh ginger each time is too much of a chore, you can grate a lot in one go and freeze it in small amounts, like in an ice-cube tray, and use it as needed. Easier still, buy a tube of minced ginger and simply squirt some into your tea.

To use ginger in cooking, julienned or minced ginger is good when sautéing (heat it in oil in your frying pan before adding other ingredients), while sliced or julienned ginger is good for adding to stewed dishes and soups. Putting one good slice of it in the miso soup pot makes the soup extra warming and satisfying. You can either remove the ginger before serving or leave it in for those adults who are happy to get a gingery punch in the mouth sometime during their meal.

Root Vegetables

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Other foods that warm the body are root vegetables which, by no coincidence, are in season now. Along with the good old potatoes, carrots, pumpkins and onions, you can also explore wonderful Japanese produce. Daikon (Japanese radish) and the crunchy renkon (lotus root) are both easy to use. (Just peel renkon before cooking.)

More challenging vegetables are the branch-like gobo (burdock root) and hairy sato imo (taro potato). Use either a peeler or knife to remove the taro’s thick skin. Gobo’s thin skin is best scraped off, as with the back of a knife. Since it is quite hardy—and rich in fiber—it’s perhaps easiest to cook in thin slices. See our articles about seasonal autumn and winter vegetables in Japan for more recommendations.

Nabe

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Cook the vegetables above—along with a dash of ginger, of course—in a warming soup or nabe, the Japanese stew. There are many types of nabe, varying according to their ingredients and region of origin. Although they’re perhaps best eaten when cooked in and served from a tabletop gas cooker, don’t let that stop you from boiling one up in a pot on the stove.

For an easy introduction to nabe, buy one of the instant soup packs at your local supermarket. The suggested ingredients are listed on the back, but the picture on the front of the packet gives you the same information. Most nabe mixes serve three to four people and should be boiled in a pot before adding your desired fish or meat and vegetables. Then, cook until all ingredients are done.

Traditionally, the stew is eaten first, and the remaining soup is used to cook udon or ramen noodles. You can also add cooked rice and transform it into a kind of risotto.

Reverse The Cooling Effect

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Of course, when trying to keep warm in winter, it is best to avoid quintessentially summer things. Ice cream and icy drinks are obvious examples. In Japan, nothing says summer more than mugi-cha, or barley tea. It has a special place in our hearts in the middle months because it cools the body. Lettuce, cucumber, and tropical fruit do the same. Counter the cooling effect by cooking them and adding cinnamon to fruit, and ginger to vegetables.

A personal favorite winter lettuce dish is to sauté ginger slivers in oil, add bite-sized chicken pieces and other vegetables, lots of thinly sliced lettuce (half a head or more) and some sake or white wine. Then cook on high heat with a lid on the frying pan and top with salt and black pepper when serving.

Kairo

A handy little creation to help fight the cold is the kairo. These are (usually disposable) pouches filled with activated charcoal and powered iron, amongst other things, that generate heat for 10 hours or more via a chemical reaction triggered by being opened or activated by giving them a shake or a scrunch.

They come in various sizes, including a palm-sized hand warmer type and shoe inserts, as well as bigger, adhesive ones to stick to clothing. The lower back is a popular spot to attach a kairo to. They are especially useful if one is spending a long time outdoors and are also good for warming sore muscles. Another good place to stick one, particularly if you feel a cold coming on, is just below where the sides of your collarbone meet on your chest. The equivalent spot on your back is also good.

Kairo should not be used when sleeping or near other heating devices.

Warming Furniture

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For those who have yet to experience a Japanese kotatsu (heated table), you are missing out on one of the coziest experiences around! A kotatsu is a low table with a built-in heater beneath it, covered by a thick blanket that traps the warmth. It’s the perfect gathering spot for family and friends to share meals, enjoy hot drinks or simply relax during the cold months. The comforting heat it provides makes it a staple of home life in Japan.

However, if space is limited or a kotatsu isn’t an option, a hottokapetto (hot carpet) offers a great alternative. Designed with concealed heating elements, hot carpets instantly warm up the floor beneath you. Just lay one down, flip the switch and enjoy the cozy warmth!

Winter Accessories

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Winter is the time to dress in layers, trapping warm air between them. As your parents probably told you years ago, you lose body heat via your head. It’s time to get the winter hats out! Keep the accessories coming—especially boots, gloves, and scarves. These cover key body parts for keeping warm—the neck, wrists and ankles.

Self-Care

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Stretching is also good for aiding blood circulation, especially after you’ve been stuck in the same posture for some time. General self-care, including avoiding not only the cold but also stress, overeating, lack of sleep and exercise, is also important for staying well. Take care!

Do you have any tips for staying warm this winter in Japan? Let us know in the comments below!