Japan Issues Heatstroke Warning for Tokyo

Authorities in Japan are warning Tokyo residents and visitors about the risk of heatstroke as temperatures climb in the country’s capital this week.

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has a heatstroke alert in place for Tokyo, most of Okinawa, Nagasaki, and a few other cities for Tuesday as temperatures reached record highs in some parts of the country, including Shizuoka, where authorities clocked 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday.

At least six people have already died of heatstroke in Tokyo. While the city should get a small respite towards the end of the week, with temperatures dropping from the upper 90s Fahrenheit to the low 80s, the heat is expected to climb back up starting on Sunday, according to the JMA.

Authorities are asking people to stay indoors as the heat continues this week and cooling shelters, mostly libraries or community centers, have been opened in several locations in Tokyo, including Tokyo Tower, and elsewhere.

Battling heat during summer vacations is nothing new for North Americans traveling internationally in July and August. Last year, record heat in Europe didn’t deter travel, advisors told TMR at the time.

Tokyo was named the top 2024 destination by TripAdvisor earlier this year, and the expectation is that the city and Japan, despite the heatstroke warnings, will remain atop North Americans’ travel lists. Airlines are investing in the country, too, including American Airlines, which launched a fourth daily nonstop into Tokyo Haneda (HND) just last month.

A spokesperson for Visit Japan told TMR this week that summers in Japan are typically marked by hot and sweltering humidity. And while this week, and through mid-July, is rainy season, tourists should know to pack light, breathable clothing for cloudy or rainy weather.