Umeda Loft is a large household goods store spanning from B1F to 8 floors above ground. Floors 1-6 feature a variety of items such as miscellaneous goods and cosmetics. Alipay and WeChat Pay are also accepted, making it relatively easy for tourists to shop, too.

In addition, Loft has taken new measures against coronavirus, so you can shop with peace of mind. Alcohol disinfectant is installed at the entrance and used to regularly disinfect escalator handrails, elevators buttons, cash registers, and shopping carts. Vinyl curtains are also placed at cash registers and counters. Employees are also required to wear masks and have their temperatures taken before starting work. (As of June 4, 2020)

Tax-free shopping is also available from the 1st to 6th floors. If you go to the tax exemption counter on the 4th floor after shopping, you will be refunded in cash. For more information, please refer to the leaflets on the tax exemption procedure located next to the cash registers.

We will now introduce the best items for the heat, as recommended by Ms. Aimi Muraki, the head of sales promotion at Umeda Loft.

Refresh yourself with just a quick coat of Coolist Asedarenu on your neck. The stainless steel ball in the spout gives a cool and comfortable sensation. It can make you feel as much as 5 degrees cooler! (As shown from in-house monitoring results in February 2019). It's compact size fits easily into a makeup purse and is perfect for carrying around.

This wonderful product also contains a smoothing powder to eliminate stickiness, as well as 12 kinds of plant extracts that are gentle on the skin. "The refreshing grapefruit scent is popular in summer," says Muraki. You can buy them on the 2nd floor.

Hyounou is a colorful product that you use by opening the lid and adding in water and ice. This compact item is great to bring outside for sports and outdoor activities. It is also useful for icing injuries, and a great countermeasure against heat stroke. "More and more people ask for this item as it gets hot," says Muraki.

Some nights are too hot to sleep. If you use it on your head and neck, you may be able to sleep better. Using it with only water keeps it from getting too cold. Their cute Japanese patterns also make them great souvenirs. It is also eco-friendly. Just change the water, and use it again and again. You can find it on the 4th floor.

The Maromon ink-dyed t-shirt is the perfect Japanese summer clothing designed with traditional Japanese motifs, and dyed using a traditional Japanese technique that results in a gradation of color, similar to traditional ink paintings. "It's a made-in-Japan item that is particular even about how it is sewn, using thick, firm fabrics," says Muraki.

The more you wear it, the more you will notice the colors begin to change, which is a fun part about wearing this great Japanese summer clothing. It has a simple design, and looks great with jeans and sneakers. You can buy it on the 5th floor.

The Hiyoke Uchiwa shade fan, with its cute Japanese design, is a popular summer item. These fans are individually handmade by craftsmen, using Japanese cloth and domestic Japanese paper.

The surface is UV-treated, and has a UV cut rate of 99.9%. Hold it up to protect yourself from the strong sun, or use it to fan yourself with a gentle breeze. There are many patterns, so be sure to select your favorite. You can buy them on the 4th floor.

The Nishikawa Shoroku Store Strap Fan is an uncommon type of fan with a strap to put your hand through, giving you a better grip and making it easier to hold.

“The strap is designed with the kanji logo on it,” says Muraki. The leather strap is sturdy and remains secure even if you pull on it a bit. You can buy this item on the 5th floor.

The palm-sized small Compact Fan Mini Kuri is a rechargeable portable fan. Since it has a clip on the back, you can use it hands-free by clipping it to your umbrella or backpack.

You can adjust the airflow between three different settings, low, medium, and high. Continuous usage time lasts up 2 hours when using high power, and up to 7 hours for low power. It is USB rechargeable and can even be charged using a portable battery. Very convenient item for going out. You can find it on the 4th floor.

Pitari Sweat makes you feel refreshed just by applying it. It is a tube type product that can be used again and again. It even seems to be popular with some cosplayers who attend events in the hot summer, such as Comiket. Muraki says, "It's a summer staple that is really catching on with social media."

Simply apply the gel, and the cool ingredients remain on your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and clean. You can buy it on the 2nd floor.

This is the cute, retro Fuwayuki Kakigori manual shaved-ice machine. Rotate the handle round and round to create a fine, shaved ice, just like Taiwan's Yuki-hana dessert. It comes with two ice making cups. You can make your ice either crispy or fluffy, using the screw to adjust it to your desired texture.

You can remove the parts from the opening for easy maintenance. Also includes a book (in Japanese) with techniques for delicious ices, and arrangement ideas. You can buy it on the 3rd floor.

Otona no Nagashi-Somen lets you enjoy a favorite summer tradition of Japan, right in your own home. Have fun both watching and eating the noodles as they flow down. The rotating propeller that directs the noodles can be adjusted in speed.

It is battery operated and continuously streams the water. It's fun to watch the somen noodles as they spin and flow down into the tub! On the top is a space to put the ice in, to keep your water cool. “Adding colorful ice balls to the tub keeps it cool and makes it more fun,” says Muraki. This item is a must-have for the hot season. You can buy it on the 3rd floor.

The Matsuba Tatami Goshuin-cho Stamp Book is designed to look just like a mini tatami mat. Goshuin stamp books are small notebooks used to receive a red stamp when you visit a shrine. The fragrant grass used for tatami mats has an air-cleaning and moisture-absorbing effect, and is often used as a material for sleeping mats and cushions in Japan.

There are 5 different Japanese patterns that decorate the edges of the tatami. Each symbolizes special meanings, such as protection against evil, happiness, and marriage. Made from natural materials, and easily fitting into the palm of your hand, these booklets will make your shrine visits even more enjoyable. You can buy them on the 5th floor.

If you plan to shop at Loft, you'll want to make sure to install the Loft app. You can receive one stamp per day that your purchases total 1,000 yen or more (tax excluded). Collect 6 stamps to receive a 10% off coupon. (Available only in Japan)

Umeda Loft has a unique selection of heat protection goods. With so many products, it's fun whether you're just looking around, or shopping for souvenirs. If you happen to be in Umeda, be sure to stop by.

*Information as of June 4, 2020; some items may be out of stock.
*Product lineup may vary by location.
*Prices and contents subject to change.
*All prices include tax.

Text by: Niki Shigemi