Those cute little skirts on the handlebars of this lady’s bike aren’t the equivalent of doilies on armchairs – they’re to keep the sun off the rider’s hands while she bombs down the sidewalks of Tokyo. Even as fall slides into winter here, and long sleeves replace short ones, women are ever-vigilant against becoming <shudder> TAN.
In May, when cosmetic companies in the rest of the world start gearing up to offer bronzing gels, spray-on Malibu Barbie and sunscreens with extra tint, in Japan the billboards for skin whiteners appear. There’s a gigantic category of products that claim to make you even whiter than you already are, and every department store features a section devoted to long white gloves, deeply visored hats and little ascots to cover up the space between your t-shirt and chin, lest a stray sunbeam provoke a hideous freckle.
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
I love these glimpses into a fascinating culture.
Thanks! It makes me so happy when someone finds these things as interesting as I do. ^_^
I find them ALL interesting, but it would get boring if I said that over and over and over again.
Keep ’em coming, and know that I’m loving them all, whether I say so or not!
What’s interesting to me as well is the subculture that rebels against this standard – the uber tanned. I went to a big reggae concert in Yokohama this summer and I was overwhelmed. These were not the delicate, well put together flowers I was used to seeing.
Really true. The fringe is so interesting here, because it gives a glimpse into what Japanese people find too constraining about their own society. It’s often really different from what looks too rigid from the outside, don’t you think?
Many younger people here in Britain seem equally reluctant to expose themselves to sunlight (when there is any!).
I think that here, it’s more about the awareness of skin cancer. The UK is experiencing hotter summers and white people need to slip, slap, slop the suncream on – or just avoid sitting in it.
Of course, there are always the exceptions (of all ages) many of whom have heavily-tattoed and too-much flesh, which is displayed in the most unsightly manner and turns a crisp red …
I actually envy people in Britain and other places where getting a tan isn’t the only way to be considered beautiful! In addition to lower cancer risk (hoo boy, am I ever paying for my misspent Southern California youth, now that I’m in skin cancer range) it’s brutal to live in a place where you have to maintain a tan year-round or be considered unhealthy-looking/ugly. I’m all for the pale-skinned English roses under their wide-brim hats!