Japan’s summers are no joke—hot, humid, and surprisingly intense, especially for first-time visitors.
Many tourists come unprepared for the sticky heat, only to find themselves drenched in sweat within minutes of stepping outside. But Japan has developed all kinds of clever ways to beat the heat—from wearable cooling pads to portable fans—and they’ve become a reliable way to make sure your stay in Japan during the summer is as enjoyable as can be.
Recently, we heard about a uniquely Japanese way to cool down: a hair product series featuring a cooling shampoo, conditioner, and a scalp & body tonic by Kracie Home Products Sales, Ltd.—a household name in Japan known for its wide range of personal care and beauty products—that actually keep you refreshed and chill throughout the day.
Cooling shampoo, conditioner, and scalp & body tonic from Kracie Home Products Sales, Ltd.’s “Hiyashi” series
Exclusively available at salons, this lineup of products is called the Hiyashi series. “Hiyashi” means cooling or chilling in Japanese, conveying the refreshing effect of these products for your hair, scalp, and body. Kracie Home Products Sales, Ltd. will be offering visitors a chance to try them out for free at a special limited-time event held on June 30th, 2025, at the Asakusa Rokku Broadway in Asakusa.
We had the chance to get a hands-on experience for ourselves before the event at one of the salons featuring Hiyashi series!
We headed to “hair salon shimamura” (styled in all lowercase) in Asakusa, a charming salon that’s popular with international visitors—especially on a muggy summer day. We then made sure to request a full-on treatment with the Hiyashi series to try out this unique way of staying cool during Japan’s sweltering summer.
Nihi, an actor from Germany who has resided in Japan for several years, gave the treatment a try!
Before the treatment begins, stylist and store manager Mr. Shimamura introduces the lineup: a cooling shampoo, conditioner, and tonic—all part of Kracie Home Products Sales, Ltd.’s Hiyashi series. He then gives a welcoming walkthrough of the treatment as it gets underway.
The shampoo foams up into a fine, dense lather with a light, refreshing scent. Right from the start, you can feel a cool tingle setting in—it’s an instantly soothing feeling, and you know the chill is just getting started.
But after rinsing more thoroughly, the cooling sensation really kicks in—especially around the hairline. It’s not intense, just a gentle, brisk tingle.
At first, it was simply quite refreshing, but once it had been really worked in and then rinsed out, I could feel a very invigorating chill all the way down to my scalp!
The conditioner follows with a soft, citrusy scent and a silky texture. It doesn’t have the same cooling kick, but it leaves hair feeling well-conditioned without weighing it down.
After toweling down, you can really feel everything come together—the lingering chill from the shampoo and the smooth finish of the conditioner combine in a revitalizing wave that leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and invigorated.
After the cooling sensation of the shampoo, the conditioner left my hair feeling soft while the chill on my scalp lingered—it felt great. The citrus scent was really pleasant too—perfect for summer.
To finish, the tonic—applied as a foam—crackles satisfyingly as it hits the skin. Then, it’s carefully pressed and worked in by hand, leaving a gentle, tingling sensation that lingers subtly.
Later on, when you’re walking outside or feeling a burst of air conditioning on the train, you’ll suddenly feel a refreshing chill across your scalp and neck all over again.
The tonic gave the strongest cooling sensation—it gradually spread across my scalp and felt amazing. Finishing with this made the refreshing feeling last, and I think it’ll really help me stay cool even in the summer heat!
With the lasting, refreshing coolness of the treatment and the expert care at hair salon shimamura, we left feeling fully recharged and ready to take on a summer adventure in Asakusa—and a stylish head of hair!
This lineup definitely lives up to its “Hiyashi” name and is a must-try for anyone seeking a fresh way to beat the Japanese summer heat. The Asakusa Rokku Broadway event is the perfect (and free!) chance to try it for yourself.
Whether you’re in need of a pick-me-up from the summer heat or just curious about Japan’s unique seasonal products, this cooling shampoo experience is very much worth checking out at hair salon shimamura and other salons that feature the Hiyashi series!
Asakusa is one of Japan’s most exciting and beloved tourist destinations—so why not stop by the special free one-day event at Asakusa Rokku Broadway and treat yourself while you’re in the area? A quick, refreshing hair treatment like the one above might be just what you need to make exploring the neighborhood, and other places throughout Japan, even more comfortable this summer.
Event Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Asakusa Rokku Broadway Event Space (2-6-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free
Special thanks to hair salon shimamura for their cooperation with this article.
3-3-1 Nishi Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Please note that reservations are not accepted.*Nihi’s comments and feedback about the product lineup reflect his own personal opinion.
