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I just got back from Japan and this is the one thing I’m never travelling without again

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
I was one sweaty regret away from spending $40 on a fan at a street stall. Here’s why I’m never making that mistake again.

I thought I was prepared for Japan. Comfortable walking shoes? New Balance 9060s, obviously. Enough Hydralyte to rehydrate a small army? Check. A suitcase packed with breathable linen and optimism? Naturally. What I didn’t pack – and deeply regretted from the moment I stepped out of Haneda Airport – was a handheld fan.

Because let me tell you: I was so hot.

Japan in summer is no joke. I’m talking 35-degrees-at-10-am, slap-you-in-the-face humidity, sweat-dripping-down-your-back-at-the-temple hot. And I wasn’t alone. Everyone – from chic locals to savvy tourists – had one of those nifty little fans buzzing away in their hands like a personal air-conditioner. I, meanwhile, was wilting like a konbini sandwich in the sun.

Japanese girl with portable fan
Portable handheld fans are everywhere in Japan. (Image: Getty / ziggy_mars)

One day, I borrowed one from a fellow traveller on our tour – just for a minute – and it was like sticking my face in a hotel air-con unit. Blissful. Transformative. I didn’t want to give it back. But the ones at the stalls were going for ¥3000-¥4000 ($30-$40), which felt like a lot without doing research into each one, so I powered on, overheating at every castle, street market and attraction I visited.

Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Japan
It was 40°C in Nagoya. (Image: Emily Murphy)

The peak? A 40-degree day in Nagoya. It was the hottest of the whole trip, and we’d organised a visit to Nagoya Castle, where – surprise – you can’t actually go inside. The main keep is currently closed due to age and earthquake resistance concerns. There was no shade, no breeze, and the stone grounds radiated heat like an oven. I basically melted. A personal fan would have felt like life support. Instead, we spent far longer in the guest shop than I normally would and left with a giant matcha ice cream to take the edge off.

Beppu Umi Jigoku hot spring in Oita, Japan
The heat radiated from Beppu’s hot springs. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Beppu was a close second. Famous for its hot springs – literal pools of steaming water bubbling out of the earth – it felt even more humid. You can’t go in these ones either: they’re too hot, often over 100°C, and are just for viewing. So we wandered around them in the blazing heat, admiring the vibrant colours and rising mist while slowly stewing in our own sweat. My camera fogged up. My hair stuck to my neck. My sweat had sweat. Meanwhile, other visitors glided by, fanning themselves into a state of temperature-controlled Zen.

I did spot a few travellers using classic handheld folding fans – the old-school kind you flick open and wave yourself with – and they definitely help, too. But what struck me most was just how many people had upgraded to electric ones. They’re everywhere. USB-charged, multi-speed. I’m already researching one for my next trip..

The only real relief I found from the heat was once I stepped back onboard the ship. I was travelling through Japan with Norwegian Cruise Line aboard Norwegian Spirit, where the air-conditioned interior and breezy ocean decks offered the perfect cool-down after steamy days on land.

Female tourist is walking on a narrow street in Venice, Italy with handheld fan
The classic foldable fans are still popular, too. (Image: Getty / Valentin Russanov)

Now, back in the Sydney cold and watching Europe suffer through yet another record-breaking heatwave, I’ve made a decision: I’m never travelling without a handheld fan again. Not to Japan. Not to Italy. Not even to Cairns in winter.

Forget neck pillows and packing cubes – in 2025, the hottest thing you can pack is a fan.

5 fans currently in my cart

Portable handy fan in summer blue sky
In 2025, the hottest thing you can pack is a fan. (Image: Getty / show999)

Because I will be the smug one next time.

JisuLife Handheld Fan Life10S ($29.99) – Lightweight but powerful, this cult favourite packs a 5000mAh battery for up to 28 hours of breeze. Five speeds, concentrated airflow and a low-noise brushless motor make it ideal for hot travel days. A travel MVP.

Yoobao Mini Fan & Power Bank ($59.95) – A sleek two-in-one fan and power bank with up to 6000mAh of juice and 32 hours of breeze. Three speeds, ultra-quiet and compact enough to toss in your bag.

TUNISE Portable Handheld Fan ($25) – Ultra-quiet with six speed settings (including a smart “natural wind" mode) and an 18-hour lifespan, this fan folds, hangs around your neck, stands on a desk and also doubles as a power bank.

Goldair Rechargeable Personal Handheld Fan ($14) – A simple option from Harvey Norman, this fan is compact and practical with three speeds and up to six hours of run time.

Handheld USB Air Conditioning Fan ($30.38) – A bladeless fan that pulls in air from all directions. Three speed settings, low noise and safe for kids (no blades!).

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is International Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore the world. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring under-the-radar destinations. Next on her travel wish list? Mexico and an African safari.
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

    I just got back from Japan and this is the one thing I’m never travelling without again