If you no longer know what to do with the heat and with your life… there is still something you haven’t tried. It is traditional, it is effective, it is Japanese and it is worth recovering, because heat waves are becoming longer and more intense due to climate change.
He japanese trick It can mean you don’t have to turn on the air conditioning, which will save you a good amount of money and energy.
A trick that works for winter and summer
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In Japan it is called yutanpo to the container that is filled with hot water and used to heat the beds in winter. The idea is that these containers can also be used to cool off in the summer if you fill them with cold water.
You will think that the idea is very similar to the traditional rubber bag used in Spain, but the custom in Japan has some differences.
In the land of the rising sun, yutanpo has been an essential item in homes in the winter months and is usually made of zinc-plated iron (pictured above), ceramic or, currently, hard plastic or flexible silicone. Its capacity can reach two liters and it has a round or oval shape, similar to a turtle shell.
in summer and winter
The history of yutanpo dates back to the Tang dynasty in China (7th and 8th centuries) and widespread use in Japan since at least the Muromachi period (14th to 16th centuries). The Yutanpo they stood at the foot of the futon (the traditional cotton mattress) so that it was warm for hours.
In winter it generates very comfortable heat and today It is an ecological and sustainable method which allows you to sleep without heating.
The science of yutanpo to cool your bed
The effectiveness of yutanpo to refresh lies in a fundamental scientific principle: the superior thermal conductivity of water.
The water can absorb and transfer heat about 25 times more efficiently than airmaking it an ideal medium for cooling compared to air-based systems.
This means that when filled with cold water or ice, the yutanpo can quickly dissipate heat from the bed, creating a refreshing atmosphere. This makes it a more effective way to cool your bed so you sleep cooler when the heat hits.
How to use yutanpo in summer
Try these three Japanese habits and improve your rest radically.
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Given its primary function as a heat source, the idea of using a yutanpo to cool a bed may seem counterintuitive.
However, the principle is simple: instead of filling the yutanpo with hot water, fills with cold or even frozen water. This transforms the «bottle» into a portable, reusable method for cooling.
Step by step:
- You can use the traditional rubber bag. Use a bag designed for this purpose, don’t improvise, because if the water spills you won’t be happy.
- Fill it with cold water or put it in the freezer (in this case, fill three quarters).
- Wrap it with a thin cloth. This prevents condensation and keeps the bed dry.
- Place your cold yutanpo at the foot of the bed or near your body to create a cool spot, but avoid contact with the skin, because it could cause irritation.
The cold water bag absorbs part of the body heat, It helps lower the local temperature and facilitates sleep without the noise and energy consumption of air conditioners.
A silent fan in front of an open window and directed towards the bed can complete your personal system of adaptation to heat waves.
Beat the heat Japanese style
Japanese culture offers other ideas for coping with the high summer temperatures.
- He uchimizu consists of spraying the streets, sidewalks, patios and terraces with water to cool the air by evaporationn.
- The I will sweat are the bamboo blinds that block the entry of sunlight into interior spaces.
- The yoshizu are vertical reed screens which also contribute to a cooler environment.
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