Parasol Worn on the Head Gains Popularity on Japanese Social Media
Criticized as "Ridiculous" During the Tokyo Olympics
In Japan, where the intense heat continues, the "parasol worn on the head" is belatedly gaining attention. Unlike ordinary parasols, this one can be worn on the head like a hat. When a similar design was unveiled during the Tokyo Olympics, it was met with harsh criticism. However, now it is so popular that it is frequently sold out.
Recently, on Japanese social networking services (SNS) such as X, photos of the so-called "sakkat-style parasol" worn on the head have been widely shared. A photo of an elementary school student wearing this parasol on the way to school quickly reached 20 million views.
The image of a conical parasol unveiled by Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, in 2019 ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Photo by TV Asahi
The parent of the student who posted the photo shared, "Around June, when the weather started getting hotter, my son walked home from school sharing a friend's parasol and said he wanted one. Since folding parasols are complicated to use, I showed him this head-worn parasol and he wanted it." The son, who wore the sakkat-style parasol, reportedly expressed satisfaction, saying, "It feels cool because air passes well around my head."
The response from Japanese internet users was enthusiastic. Comments such as "It's cute," "It seems convenient since you don't have to carry it by hand," and "I want to get one too" poured in, reflecting the positive reception.
According to the Japanese media outlet Mainichi Shimbun, this parasol is sold under the "Umbrello" brand by Montbell. After the product name was shared, a surge in purchase inquiries led to a sell-out crisis. Umbrello was launched in 2017 and has the advantage of covering the entire top of the head for protection, while leaving space between the hat and the head for good ventilation.
The price is divided between the "Crushable Umbrello," made from material that blocks 90% of ultraviolet rays, and the "Field Umbrello," made from natural grass material. The price range is between 59,000 and 72,000 Korean won.
Meanwhile, as the sakkat-style parasol gains popularity, attention is also being drawn to the parasol unveiled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
This product was introduced by then Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and was made of materials with ultraviolet and heat-blocking functions. Although the parasol was distributed to Olympic volunteers, it was harshly criticized by citizens as "tacky" and "ridiculous" in its design.
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