urban camouflage
Many people here, males and females alike, wear bucket hats (kind of like fishing hats or boonie hats, but deeper) to keep the sun off. I do, too, but not for sun for camouflage. I have a black velvet one for winter and a blue canvas one for summer. This way there is one less thing screaming American! about me in public. In fact, with my converse sneakers, windbreaker and bucket hat on, from behind, in the dark, if you dont immediately notice my wider shoulders and hips, you might mistake me for Japanese.
Since the weather is warmer (or its supposed to be, but it keeps raining), women will begin carrying parasols soon. Japanese women seem to be very concerned about their skin. Rarely will you see skin exposed to direct sunlight. The ladies always wear hats, carry parasols, wear light but long-sleeved shirts when out in the sun. My friend told me that a proper Japanese lady doesnt want to be tanned as it would imply that she worked outside.
Fans are making their way back out, too. On any train station platform people waiting will whip out their fans to keep cool men and women alike. I have a pretty blue one that my daughter keeps swiping. I like it because it provides a cool breeze, but it also is one more obstruction between the Japanese eye and my pink skin.