How to Stay Comfortable, Even If You’re Wide Awake at 3AM
So you’ve landed in Japan, dropped your bags, maybe even eaten your first bowl of ramen—and suddenly, your body says “Let’s go to bed!” Or worse, you crash early, then wake up at 2:30 AM feeling completely alert. Welcome to jet lag.
Jet lag isn’t just about being tired. It can feel like your brain and body are completely out of sync with the world around you. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with it—and even embrace it.
📷 If your travels bring you to Kyoto consider booking a tour or photography session with us!
😵 What Jet Lag Feels Like
Jet lag is caused by your circadian rhythm (internal clock) being out of sync with the local time. If you’re traveling from North America or Europe, your body might still think it’s the middle of the night even when the Tokyo sun is blazing outside.
Common symptoms include:
- Waking up very early (2–5 AM) or struggling to wake up at all
- Feeling exhausted at strange times—especially mid-afternoon
- Headaches, mood swings, and irritability
- Digestive upset (your stomach is also jet-lagged!)
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling “foggy”
🧘 How to Cope with Jet Lag (Once It Happens)
Here are some gentle, realistic strategies to help your body and mind adapt after jet lag has already hit:
1. Don’t Fight It Too Hard
If you’re wide awake at 3:00 AM, don’t lie in bed frustrated. Get up and do something relaxing:
- Read a book
- Journal
- Stretch or do yoga
- Watch something lighthearted (no horror movies or TikTok rabbit holes!)
Trying to force sleep will only stress you out and make it harder to rest.
2. Expose Yourself to Natural Light During the Day
Sunlight helps reset your body clock. Go outside as early as possible, even if you feel groggy.
- Sit in the morning sun with your coffee
- Take a walk around your neighborhood or near your hotel
- Visit a park or shrine in the early hours
Your body takes light as a signal: “Time to be awake now.”
3. Don’t Nap for Too Long (Or Too Late)
Napping can help—but set a timer for 20–30 minutes, and avoid naps after 3 PM.
Anything longer or later may push your internal clock further off.
💡 Instead of napping, try walking, hydrating, or doing something mildly active.
4. Stick to Local Mealtimes
Even if you’re not hungry, try eating breakfast and lunch at local times.
Your stomach helps reset your clock too. Start with lighter meals and stay hydrated—Japanese food (like miso soup, rice, or onigiri) is perfect for gentle digestion.
5. Use Jet Lag Time Creatively
Can’t sleep at night? Wake up way too early?
Turn it into a mini adventure.
- Head to a 24-hour convenience store or early-open cafe
- Watch the sunrise along the Kamogawa in Kyoto or Tokyo Bay
- Take early morning photos while streets are empty
- Do laundry, journal, or plan your trip in peace
🌅 Some travelers even say: “Jet lag gave me my best memories.”
🛌 If You’re Still Struggling After a Few Days
Jet lag usually fades within 3–5 days, but it can linger. Here’s what to do:
- Try melatonin supplements at bedtime (1–3mg, not more)
- Avoid screen time for 1 hour before bed
- Take a warm bath before sleep to relax your body
- Stop worrying—your schedule will gradually sync
🎐 Final Thought: Sometimes Jet Lag Is Just… a Different Rhythm
If you’re healthy, just sleeping at the “wrong” times for a few days isn’t the end of the world.
You’re still in Japan. You can still eat delicious food, see beautiful places, and enjoy quiet, early-morning walks.
✨ Instead of fighting your body, flow with it. Travel isn’t about perfection—it’s about being present.
🎥 For more travel tips and guides on all things Japan check out the PiQtour YouTube channel!
