Uchimizu
Uchimizu (打ち水) is a traditional Japanese practice of sprinkling water on streets, sidewalks, and other outdoor surfaces to cool the surrounding area. As the water evaporates, it draws heat from the pavement and air, offering a simple, low-tech response to hot weather. Historically, the practice has also been associated with suppressing dust and welcoming guests.
More than a cooling technique, uchimizu is a social ritual. In contemporary Japan, communities have revived the practice through organized events that bring people together to collectively cool public spaces—turning an everyday act of climate adaptation into something visible, participatory, and even playful. It offers a useful reminder that responding to urban heat doesn't have to be purely technological: it can also become part of the culture and life of the street.