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As September—a month that brought many typhoons and low-pressure systems—finally comes to a close, we are starting to feel the cool morning and evening air here in Japan. Next week, it will finally be October.

The Magic That Happens on October 1st If you have lived in Japan for a while, you might notice the city's scenery changing slightly from October 1st. On this exact day, the uniforms of students, train station staff, and police officers all transition at once from summer wear to winter wear. In Japan, we call this custom Koromogae (the changing of clothes).

More Than Just Organizing the Closet This is not merely about organizing your closet; it actually originates from court ceremonies in the Heian period, about 1,000 years ago. Even for us today, it is more than just a reason to sort through our clothes. By changing what we wear, it serves as an important psychological ritual to flip a switch in our minds and bodies, telling ourselves, "A new season has arrived."

Koromogae as "Yojo" (Nourishing Life) From a health perspective, paying attention to the changing of the seasons is extremely important. This aligns with the concept of Yojo (nourishing life) in traditional Eastern medicine. Koromogae is a perfect opportunity to shift from light summer clothing to warmer outfits, protecting your body from the cold autumn winds.

Without letting the lingering summer heat catch us off guard, let's gradually start preparing our minds and bodies for the harsh cold of winter. Why not take some time this weekend to bring out your favorite sweaters and slowly begin preparing to welcome the new season?