There's a reggae-loving bar owner in Fukuoka who loathes the stereotype that reggae is "summer music." Truth is, though, his business does extremely well during summer. It seems that atmosphere-building is still an essential part of the seasons in Japan.
In the days before air conditioners, ice cream and Bob Marley, conjuring up coolness during summer in Japan was different. Wind chimes gave the illusion of a breeze, and water was sprinkled on scorching pavements. Blue-green colors and translucent textures made cooling down a ritual for body and mind. This may seem a barely adequate solution to Europeans or North Americans used to mild summers, though. Japan's 30-degree summer days and semitropical humidity can be energy-draining.
Air conditioners aside, one of the coolest places to be in summer is a Japanese garden. Not surprisingly, architects today are looking back to the principles behind these gardens and their clever breeze-catching buildings, as they look for environmentally friendly ways to cool buildings without burdening water or power resources.