Comments on: On Forgetting Your Umbrella in Japan

By: Lucius

Lucius — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:46:55 +0000

It took me a long time in Japan to get over my very American umbrella-aversion! And the I was always forgetting them. I was always a big fan of those mini ones, though. The full-length transparent 傘 were always a bit cumbersome…

By: Archana

Archana — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:03:49 +0000

I am one of those people who bought a sturdy umbrella – but it was around 3000 yen. but it folds out into a huge umbrella and 2 people can shelter under it quite nicely and its survived all the wind japan threw at me. the wind ripped through a transparent plastic umbrella my second day in japan and i was soaked through. i had never experienced the violence of a wind tunnel combined with rain and never wanted it to happen again.

i still have that umbrella but have never needed it – because you’re right; i have a car and a raincoat.

By: Alyssa Eatman

Alyssa Eatman — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:40:03 +0000

haha, yeah umbrellas. I got me a real nice umbrella/parasol in Japan…Somehow after a year I haven’t lost it yet (albeit I’ve have had a few close calls.) Being in America now, people look at me weird because I even have one. (okay I have like 3 I think)

By: On Turning on the Japanese Air Conditioner | This Japanese Life. | 生命を外面九天です

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:46:57 +0000

[...] Life is, and should always be, shaped by natural events, even if it doesn’t have to be. (See also: Umbrellas). [...]

By: Paul (@BlueKutsu)

Paul (@BlueKutsu) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:22:52 +0000

Nice post, Eryk! I too lost several umbrellas at conbinis or restaurants during my time over there. Luckily, threw a party once and like 4 people forgot their umbrellas at my place, so I had backups.

Another interesting thing I noticed is that buses in my city had “free umbrellas” in them that people could take if it were raining and then were supposed to return the next time they rode the city bus. Never ever saw anyone use them, but shows the mindset about how people just leave and take umbrellas without much thought.

By: François-Xavier Thomas

François-Xavier Thomas — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:53:27 +0000

Omoshiroi! It just completely goes against what I would naturally do, I would feel very awkward abandoning my umbrella or taking another man’s!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 04:38:10 +0000

Another consequence of the transience of umbrellas is that they accumulate, indefinitely. Once a year my staff room (and, I would imagine, every staff room in every business of more than 2 people everywhere in Japan) has a declaration that’s something like “In 2 days, we’re throwing away all of the umbrellas that are in the ridiculously overburdened umbrella rack, so if you still want yours, grab it or label it now. Or else.” Though it’s probably not nearly as snarky as my lack of Japanese skill imagines it to be. And I wonder what happens to all of them? Given how readily people by new ones at the konbini, I can’t imagine that they’re donated anywhere. And how do you recycle an agglomeration of plastic, thin plastic, and metal parts? Perhaps I should inquire where the great umbrella graveyard is–it must be a great sight.

By: Didem Aydin

Didem Aydin — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 19:13:27 +0000

Intresting article yet again. Thanks for posting :D

By: zoomingjapan

zoomingjapan — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:54:49 +0000

“Mi Kasa es tu Kasa” – ahahahahaa XDDD Sorry, can’t stop laughing!!! XDDDD

*ahem*

I used to ride my bike with an umbrella all the time. I knew it was illegal, but when it’s raining cats and dogs, what can you do? Raincoats and stuff doesn’t help then! :/

Did you know that it’s an “art” or a national sport to “forget” your umbrella somewhere here in Japan?
Once it stops raining, people just “forget” their umbrellas … in trains, restaurants .. on toilets.
Taking one of those umbrellas isn’t really stealing in my eyes!
I usually keep my umbrella, I mean I paid for it, right? Why should I “forget” it on purpose?
I could understand if they only where 100yen, but they’re quite expensive.