Winter in East Asia is no joke. While some places like southern China or southern Japan don’t see much snow, other areas—especially northern China, Korea, and Japan’s Hokkaido region (Sapporo, in particular)—experience harsh winters with temperatures dropping way below freezing.
Nowadays, modern heating systems and high-tech winter clothing make it easy to stay warm. But how did people back in the day survive the brutal cold without central heating, electric blankets, or high-tech jackets? The answer lies in ingenuity, cultural traditions, and deep respect for nature. From ondol heating in Korea to kotatsu in Japan and kang beds in China, let’s explore how different Asian cultures historically endured the winter breeze.
Korea: The Ingenious Ondol Floor Heating System
If you’ve ever been to a traditional Korean house (hanok) in the winter, you’ll notice something special—the floors are warm. This is thanks to the ondol, an ancient underfloor heating system that Koreans have used for over 2,000 years.
How Ondol Works
The ondol system works by channeling heat from a kitchen stove through flues that run under the floor, before releasing the smoke outside. This system allowed homes to retain heat long after the fire was out, making it one of the most effective passive heating methods in the world.
Since the floor remained warm, Koreans developed a sitting and sleeping culture on the floor—which is why even today, many Korean homes use heated flooring instead of radiators.
Winter Foods and Clothing
Besides ondol, traditional Korean winter survival also relied on food. Spicy stews like kimchi jjigae, thick porridge, and hotteok, a sweet-filled pancake, were essential for keeping warm.
For clothing, Koreans wore durumagi —a long, thick overcoat made from cotton or silk, sometimes lined with fur. In extreme cold, people layered with hanbok undergarments and fur-lined boots.
Even now, Korean winter culture is about staying warm from the inside out—ondol heating, hot food, and layering clothes to trap heat.
Japan (Sapporo, Hokkaido): The Magic of the Kotatsu and Straw Capes
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, experiences some of the coldest winters in Asia. The city of Sapporo often records temperatures below -10°C (14°F) in winter. But long before modern heating, people found unique ways to stay warm.
The Kotatsu: Japan’s Beloved Heated Table
One of the most famous winter traditions in Japan is the kotatsu. This is a low wooden table with a heater underneath, covered by a thick blanket. Families sit around it, legs tucked under the warm blanket, often drinking tea, eating mandarins, or even napping under its warmth.
The kotatsu dates back to the Muromachi period (14th–16th century), when Japanese homes used sunken hearths to cook and stay warm. Eventually, people began covering these hearths with wooden tables and blankets to trap heat, evolving into today’s electric kotatsu.
Thanks to the kotatsu, you can now be entertained within the warmth of your table amidst the winter cold. Visit 12bet now to check out top-tier entertainment and spend some time to distract yourself from the snow! Maybe there are some cool winter tournaments going on!
Traditional Hokkaido Winter Wear: The Minowanka Cloak
Before modern winter jackets, people in Hokkaido wore straw cloaks called “minowanka”, which looked similar to a straw raincoat. These provided excellent insulation and protected against wind and snow. Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido also wore attus robes, made from woven tree bark fibers, layered with animal fur.
Winter Festivals and Survival Foods
Even in extreme cold, Japanese people embraced winter with festivals like the Sapporo Snow Festival, where giant ice sculptures transform the city into a winter wonderland.
Food was also key for warmth. Dishes like:
● Nabe – A steaming pot of broth with vegetables, meat, and tofu.
● Oden – A winter street food featuring fish cakes, eggs, and radish stewed in a light broth.
● Amazake – A traditional warm, sweet rice drink enjoyed in winter festivals.
Even today, the kotatsu and hot foods remain essential parts of Japanese winter culture, keeping people warm even in freezing Sapporo winters.
China: The Kang Bed and the Power of Tea
China is vast, with some regions facing extreme winters—especially Beijing, Harbin, and northeastern provinces where temperatures can drop below -30°C (-22°F).
The Kang Bed: A Heated Sleeping Platform
One of the most fascinating traditional Chinese heating methods is the kang, a heated brick or stone bed found in northern Chinese homes for over 2,500 years.
How the Kang Works
The kang is similar to Korea’s ondol but larger. It is a platform made of bricks or clay, built over an underground flue system. Heat from a nearby stove or fire travels through channels under the bed, warming the surface. A thick blanket or mat is placed on top, allowing people to sit, eat, and sleep on a warm surface.
This system was incredibly efficient, as it:
● Retained heat for hours after the fire went out.
● Allowed multiple family members to stay warm together.
● Saved energy, since the same fire was used for cooking and heating.
The Role of Tea and Alcohol in Staying Warm
China’s answer to winter warmth also came in the form of tea and alcohol. Hot tea, especially Pu-erh tea, was believed to help circulation and warm the body. Meanwhile, Chinese rice wine and strong spirits like baijiu were often consumed to fight the cold.
Winter Clothing: Padded Silk Robes
Chinese people traditionally wore “mian ao” —thick, padded cotton or silk robes lined with fur. These were incredibly effective in trapping heat and protecting against cold winds.
Even now, northern Chinese homes still use the kang bed, and hot tea remains a staple of winter survival.
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Winters
Despite lacking modern heating or high-tech winter gear, Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese people found clever ways to endure brutal winters. From ondol heating in Korea, kotatsu tables in Japan, to kang beds and hot tea in China, each culture developed unique ways to survive and thrive in winter.
Today, while most people rely on electric heaters and insulated clothing, these ancient traditions remain deeply embedded in Asian winter culture. Sipping hot tea, gathering around a kotatsu, or sleeping on a heated floor—these practices not only kept people warm but also brought families closer together.
So next time you’re freezing in winter, maybe take inspiration from these traditional Asian winter survival techniques. Who knows? A kotatsu, hot tea, or even a DIY heated floor might be all you need to beat the cold!
