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Umeda Loft: Japanese Summer Clothing & Clever Products to Beat the Heat!

Umeda Loft: Japanese Summer Clothing & Clever Products to Beat the Heat!

Last updated: 17 October 2020

Summer in Japan is famous for being humid and pretty difficult to bear. In search of items to make such a summer a bit more comfortable, we found ourselves at Umeda Loft, a store specializing in household goods. It is conveniently located about 5 minutes on foot from Hankyu Electric Railway, Osaka-Umeda Station.

So let’s have a look at their top 10 items to help you beat the heat, as recommended by the shop staff.

Table of Contents
  1. What is Umeda Loft?
  2. 1. Coolist Asedarenu: Cool and Comfortable, Even When You Sweat
  3. 2. Hyounou: Even Works with Water! Multi-use and Eco-friendly
  4. 3. Maromon Hansode Ink-dyed T-Shirt: The More You Wear It, the More You'll Love It!
  5. 4. Hiyoke Uchiwa: Cute, Handmade Shade Fan
  6. 5. Nishikawa Shoroku Shoten Strap Fan: A Strap for Active Use
  7. 6. Compact Fan Mini Kuri: Hands-Free Cooling
  8. 7. Pitari Sweat: An Item Loved Even by Cosplayers
  9. 8. FUWAYUKI Kakigori Machine: Make Your Own Fluffy Shaved Ice
  10. 9. Otona no Nagashi-Somen: A Summer Pastime of Japan!
  11. 10. Matsuba Tatami Shop Igusa-Kaoru Goshuin-cho: A Tatami-Designed Stamp Book!
  12. Shop smarter with the useful app

What is Umeda Loft?

Loft's recognizable yellow and bright exterior
Loft's recognizable yellow and bright exterior

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.

1. Coolist Asedarenu: Cool and Comfortable, Even When You Sweat

Coolist Asedarenu (880 yen)
Coolist Asedarenu (880 yen)

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.

Juicy Pink Grapefruit Scent (left) and Pure Freesia Scent (right)
Juicy Pink Grapefruit Scent (left) and Pure Freesia Scent (right)

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.

2. Hyounou: Even Works with Water! Multi-use and Eco-friendly

Hyounou (770 yen)
Hyounou (770 yen)

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.

A variety of patterns are available
A variety of patterns are available

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.

3. Maromon Hansode Ink-dyed T-Shirt: The More You Wear It, the More You'll Love It!

Maromon Hansode Ink-dyed T-Shirt (6,160 yen)
Maromon Hansode Ink-dyed T-Shirt (6,160 yen)

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.

A simple logo printed on the front
A simple logo printed on the front

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.

4. Hiyoke Uchiwa: Cute, Handmade Shade Fan

Hiyoke Uchiwa (889 yen)
Hiyoke Uchiwa (889 yen)

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.

Rich pattern made using Japanese hand towel cloth
Rich pattern made using Japanese hand towel cloth

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.

5. Nishikawa Shoroku Shoten Strap Fan: A Strap for Active Use

Nishikawa Shoroku Shoten Strap Fan (3,850 yen)
Nishikawa Shoroku Shoten Strap Fan (3,850 yen)

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.

Strap with logo
Strap with logo

“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.

6. Compact Fan Mini Kuri: Hands-Free Cooling

Compact Fan Mini Kuri (2,728 yen)
Compact Fan Mini Kuri (2,728 yen)

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.

Sturdy clip on the back to hold it in place
Sturdy clip on the back to hold it in place

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.

7. Pitari Sweat: An Item Loved Even by Cosplayers

Pitari Sweat 50g (660 yen)
Pitari Sweat 50g (660 yen)

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."

Gel cream that you can apply without the stickiness
Gel cream that you can apply without the stickiness

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.

8. FUWAYUKI Kakigori Machine: Make Your Own Fluffy Shaved Ice

FUWAYUKI Kakigori Machine (4,378 yen)
FUWAYUKI Kakigori Machine (4,378 yen)

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 even use regular ice from your household ice tray
You can even use regular ice from your household ice tray

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.

9. Otona no Nagashi-Somen: A Summer Pastime of Japan!

Otona no Nagashi-Somen (6,578 yen)
Otona no Nagashi-Somen (6,578 yen)

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.

The cooling ice cubes are sold separately. Available in the round Ice Ball shape (blue, 638 yen), and the jewel-like Sparkle Ice Cube shape (550 yen)
The cooling ice cubes are sold separately. Available in the round Ice Ball shape (blue, 638 yen), and the jewel-like Sparkle Ice Cube shape (550 yen)

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.

10. Matsuba Tatami Shop Igusa-Kaoru Goshuin-cho: A Tatami-Designed Stamp Book!

Matsuba Tatami Shop Igusa-Kaoru Goshuin-cho (3,520 yen each)
Matsuba Tatami Shop Igusa-Kaoru Goshuin-cho (3,520 yen each)

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.

The photo depicts a stamp book with a hemp leaf pattern. It's significance is protection against evil, and the wish for your children to grow healthy
The photo depicts a stamp book with a hemp leaf pattern. It's significance is protection against evil, and the wish for your children to grow healthy

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.

Shop smarter with the useful app

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.

  • Umeda LOFT
    梅田ロフト
    • Address 16-7, Chayamachi, Osaka-Shi Kita-Ku, Osaka 〒530-0013
    • Hours: From Monday, June 1 until further notice: 11:00AM-8:00PM
      *Normal business hours: 11:00AM-9:00PM
      Closed: Open daily

Text by: Niki Shigemi

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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