Humidity

I find the dry comfortable, but my wife doesn't agree. I imagine that most people in Japan prefer to have a bit more humidity than me. I guess it makes sense considering the difference in climate between here and where I grew up.

Japan is very humid and wet in the summer and dry in the winter.

I am from Reno, Nevada. It is considered a 'high desert' climate. There is very little precipitation (rain/snow) but, it is also high in elevation so it doesn't get too hot. In fact, I would say that Japan might be hotter than Reno.

Recently I realized something. I think the reason I was so shocked by the weather in Japan is because, in my hometown, the humidity is opposite compared to Japan: summer is dry and winter is wet. This really changes the 'feel' of the seasons.

It is also very dry too. Now that I have acclimated to the Japanese climate, when I return to my hometown I get dry skin, bloody noses, itchy eyes, etc. I find it ridiculous that I get so uncomfortable in the weather I was born and raised for 20 years.

Summer

• Japan -> 73%

• Reno -> 35% (some days as low as 15%!)

Winter

• Japan -> 50%

• Reno -> 65% (comfortable!)

Anyways, my feelings and opinions don't really matter. My wife wanted a humidifier so now we use a humidifier every night. My wife tells me that it works well. She said her skin is softer and eyes and nose feel better.

I can’t tell the difference.

Sometimes my wife has to work an overnight shift. She doesn’t come home all night. On those nights I don’t bother using the humidifier and I really can’t tell an difference at all. My skin feels the same. My nose and mouth feel the same. I guess I am just not that sensitive.

There are some differences I do notice. In the morning there is a lot of water condensed on the window. I have to open the window every morning to help it dry faster. Also there is mold growing all over the walls. I have to wiped them with some alcohol spray every few days to keep it at bay. Also the electricity bill is very high. I don’t know how much is attributed to the humidifier specifically but, we are using too much electricity recently.

It is all a bit inconvenient for me but I am glad my wife is happy.