Japan Faces Intense Summer Heat, Revives Chilled Noodles
By Editor • August 15, 2026 • 1 min read
As Japan grapples with scorching summer temperatures, a new term has emerged: “kokushobi,” indicating days that reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher. This summer, cities have recorded numerous consecutive kokushobi days, marking an unprecedented rise in heat.
In response to this brutal climate, many are turning to sōmen, the traditional chilled wheat noodles that have offered relief from the summer heat since at least the eighth century.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
