Hokkairo Charcoal Hand Warmer

Winters in Tokyo and surrounding areas can be cold, but we discovered a little secret to staying warm—charcoal hand warmers.

Unlike disposable heat packs, these traditional warmers, or binchotan kairo, use slow-burning charcoal to radiate heat for hours. We picked up a pack at the local konbini, and once you open up a pack and give it a small shack, it immediately provides a steady warmth without waste.

There’s something old-world and almost meditative about it—lighting the charcoal, tucking it into my pocket, feeling the gentle heat spread through my gloves. Now, as we walk through the snowy streets of Japan, with our fingers wrapped around these tiny furnaces, winter suddenly feels a little softer! Get one at your local shop today, they're very affordable!