Keeping warm in Kyoto

The temperatures are not much worse than DC.  And we do not have any snow yet.  But not much heat is used indoors.  And we are out a lot -- waiting for the bus, bicycling, hiking, walking to the store, walking around temples and shrines.  The Japanese are under the same weather constraints.

So how do you keep warm in Kyoto?

Here is what is being sold now:

Kotatsu -- low coffee table-type table with a heater on the underside -- cover it with a quilt, and cozy up under it.

Padded jackets (no, not with sleeves that tie).  How else would you keep your upper body warm when you lower body was under the kotatsu?

Long underwear -- lots of it, including extra layers around your middle, where the body is supposed to be particularly vulnerable to cold.

Layers -- lots of them.  I saw a woman recently with patterned socks, scrunchy ankle warmers , patterned leggings, and shorts.  On top they have 3 or 4 layers, and a big scarf too.

Hot water bottles -- all sizes from less than a liter (for a baby?) to over 3 liters.  There are plastic and metal ones.  And there are covers for these -- including one that looks like a teddy bear.

Electric carpet -- at least you will be warm sitting in that spot.

Kerosene heaters -- used indoors as a space heater -- smells bad.

Japanese bath accessories -- washing thoroughly outside the tub, then soaking is a great way to get warm.  Even when I walk the 4 blocks to nearest public bath, I am still warm when I get home and still warm at bedtime. 

Fleece --made in China and very cheep.

Down sweaters -- likewise probably made in China, not too expensive, and everyone has one (now including Will and I. 

They still are not running the nuclear plants, and energy imports are terribly expensive.  And there is just a long term conservation mindset.  Here at work, the corridor is not heated, nor is the bathroom (except for the toilet seat).  We each control our heat (though it cannot get all that hot), and we turn off the heat when we leave for the day.