Forget Cranking the AC – Ryō Wo Toru Is the Japanese Cooling Philosophy That 'Captures Coolness' to Find Relief from Heat

Dining room with wooden table, chair and stools on a grey rug and wooden clad and green walls.

Ever since a trip in March earlier this year, I haven't stopped thinking about Japan. It's a place where every little detail feels thoughtful, measured, and curated, and nowhere did I feel more inspired than in traditional homes and hotels.

One thing that struck me the most, whether I was learning how to make ramen in Tokyo or staying in a rural countryside ryokan, was that each felt calm and cool no matter the weather.