Interesting enough, the sea does not play an equally important part in leisure for Japanese for a variety of reasons – the water is cold because of northern location of Japan, it is also not the cleanest due to pollution, and the beaches are just not good enough for having fun during summer. There are so few beaches within driving distance for most Japanese that spending time at Japanese beaches is not something that one can easily do in Japan. Okinawa does have some excellent beaches but it is so far south by Japanese standards that by the time you pay the expensive Japanese fares to get there, you might be better off by just taking off for Thailand, Indonesia, Guam, or Hawaii.
Young Japanese people have, however, taken a more adventurous approach and have embraced western water sports like jet skiing, surfing, scuba diving, and of course, just lying on the beach and soaking the sun to get the tan that does not necessarily always look good on Japanese skin but they try to get it anyway.
Japanese swimsuit modelWhat does it mean in terms of apparel design for the Japanese?
Since a lot of these activities are much more popular in countries outside Japan, the apparel for water sports has essentially been developed for the local people. Like a lot of other fashion goods, Japan has traditionally not developed these in Japan. Thus, these apparel are either imported or are based on designs developed elsewhere. (Related: How to buy a bathing suit?)
It may be pointed out that the road to a perfect design for beachwear for the Japanese has been rather bumpy. In the beginning, nothing would fit the Japanese body until some enterprising manufacturers started designing products for the oriental body. Then came the issues about patterns and prints (Diva Bikini), and of course, how much skin could be shown. During this period, the Japanese had to do with swimsuits that did not justice to their bodies.
Young Japanese people have, however, taken a more adventurous approach and have embraced western water sports like jet skiing, surfing, scuba diving, and of course, just lying on the beach and soaking the sun to get the tan that does not necessarily always look good on Japanese skin but they try to get it anyway.
Japanese swimsuit modelWhat does it mean in terms of apparel design for the Japanese?
Since a lot of these activities are much more popular in countries outside Japan, the apparel for water sports has essentially been developed for the local people. Like a lot of other fashion goods, Japan has traditionally not developed these in Japan. Thus, these apparel are either imported or are based on designs developed elsewhere. (Related: How to buy a bathing suit?)
It may be pointed out that the road to a perfect design for beachwear for the Japanese has been rather bumpy. In the beginning, nothing would fit the Japanese body until some enterprising manufacturers started designing products for the oriental body. Then came the issues about patterns and prints (Diva Bikini), and of course, how much skin could be shown. During this period, the Japanese had to do with swimsuits that did not justice to their bodies.
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