Interview with Umbrella Sommelier Tsuchiya: How to Choose the Perfect All-Weather Umbrella and Spot the Best Features

The demand for all-weather umbrellas is on the rise. Alongside the necessity of umbrellas for the upcoming rainy season, they're increasingly used throughout the year as protection against intense summer heat and strong sun in spring and autumn.

So, how should you go about selecting the right all-weather umbrella from the myriad options available? With considerations such as performance, appearance, and price—many people struggle to decide what to prioritize.

That's why we interviewed Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, widely featured in media as an "Umbrella Sommelier" dedicated to sharing the charm of umbrellas with the world. Having fallen in love with umbrellas, he’s personally collected over 250 of them and is known for his uncompromising standards, even conducting his own performance tests in inclement weather. We asked Tsuchiya for his advice on how to spot the ideal umbrella for your needs.

Criteria for Truly "Sun-Protective Umbrellas"

First, could you tell us about the latest standard specs for all-weather umbrellas?

A UV cut rate of more than 99.9% and a light blocking rate of over 99.99% have become the norm. You’ll also find heat shielding and water repellent features as standard.

Sometimes I see claims of 100%—is that accurate?

That number, however, comes from fabric performance tests conducted before the material is turned into an umbrella. Because umbrellas have seams, the finished product can never actually be 100%. There are usually disclaimers like "Made with fabric tested at 100% light block rate", or "Values are based on fabric testing, not the final umbrella".

On rare occasions, you might find umbrellas claiming only a UV cut rate over 90% without mentioning light blocking performance. Always be sure to choose a product that clearly states both its UV cut and light blocking capabilities. There should be a tag on the umbrella showing these numbers.

Is there a way to spot quality besides the product label?

There's a very clear way—check if light passes through when you open the umbrella. Most traditional rain umbrellas have a slightly see-through underside when open. A genuine all-weather umbrella will be dark inside when open. If the inside is coated with PU (polyurethane), you can expect over 99% UV cut and light blocking performance.

Has there been notable technological progress in recent years?

The levels for UV cut, light blocking, heat shielding, and water repellency have all been improving every year. Previously, all-weather umbrellas primarily focused on UV and light block performance, but in recent years, with hotter summers, heat shielding has also rapidly advanced.

Windy days can be tough for umbrella users. How should people pick for wind resistance?

There are two main ways umbrellas can handle strong winds. One is using wind-resistant frames that can recover even if they flip inside out. The other is the double-canopy structure that allows wind to escape through gaps between the two layers of fabric.

If you’re golfing or in situations where a flipped frame could be dangerous or you don’t want to get wet from a bent umbrella, the double-canopy style is best. However, keep in mind that with double-layered fabric, folding umbrellas can become bulkier and heavier.

Key Points to Check When Testing Umbrellas In Store

After learning the basics about umbrellas for both sun and rain, can you tell us what to look for when choosing a product in store?

First, consider the size of the umbrella. Whether you want a size that fits your body perfectly, or one that's large enough to shield your belongings from the rain, makes a difference.

Next, pay attention to how it feels when you hold it. Is it comfortable and effortless to grip, or does it feel heavy after a long period?

The last point is how easily it opens and closes. Since umbrellas involve some handcrafting, every single one is slightly different. That’s why it’s important to try opening and closing the umbrella to check for anything that feels off.

Specifically, what do you mean by "effortless to hold"?

It's about how natural and comfortable it feels in your hand the moment you grip it. For example, I personally have large hands, so small-handled umbrellas are awkward for me to hold. If the grip is uncomfortable, it becomes difficult to hold steady in the wind. While the umbrella’s primary job is to keep you dry, you end up focusing on simply trying to keep it from blowing away and risk breaking it.

If it's difficult to grip, you end up not using it. No matter how expensive the umbrella, you won't grow attached to it and the search for the right umbrella continues endlessly.

Do individual differences also exist between umbrellas of the same model from the same manufacturer?

Ideally, every product would be made to the exact same standard, but since a lot of the umbrella production process is done by hand, even among five umbrellas of the same model, you may notice differences in the stitching and other details. Some people have unique ways of gripping, which may or may not match up well with the subtle differences between each umbrella.

So, it's best to always open the umbrella yourself before buying at the store. Based on this, what does the ideal umbrella look like?

In my view, the ideal umbrella is moderately sized, reasonably lightweight, and resistant to wind. "Light" is certainly a good thing, but I've found that if it's too light, that's also unsafe as it may easily get swept up by wind.

What is the typical price range for umbrellas that are suitable for both sun and rain?

Generally, they're priced from the high 2,000 yen range to the high 3,000 yen range. If you're willing to spend 5,000 yen or so, you can get something really nice, depending on the features you want.

Features like wind resistance, heat shielding, water repellency, or lightweight carbon-fiber frames, and whether it has automatic open/close, for example. In that sense, it's much like shopping for gadgets like smartphones.

Some umbrellas cost tens of thousands of yen. Does a higher price always mean better performance?

That's not necessarily true. Thanks to company innovation, there are plenty of affordable umbrellas packed with features these days. When it comes to high-end umbrellas, think of it like purchasing a piece of art.

For example, the British brand "Fox Umbrellas"—when I bought mine, it was about 30,000 yen at that time, and now they go for 60,000 to 70,000 yen. Some are even more expensive, but these are more like art objects than everyday items.

Are there performance differences between different manufacturers?

When it comes to wind resistance, honestly, there’s not much variation between brands anymore.

In the past, there were two dominant brands: "Blunt" from New Zealand and "Senz Umbrella" from the Netherlands. Both countries are known for strong winds, so their umbrellas excelled in that department.

But as technology has evolved, customers now have a much broader range of options, which has put more pressure on manufacturers.

Why Are Japanese Umbrellas Gaining Global Popularity? Reasons They’re Loved Worldwide

You mentioned differences between countries. Are umbrellas something Japan specializes in?

Yes, Japan has a high demand for umbrellas, and because many people here don’t want their clothes to get wet on rainy days, water-repellency is a key feature. At the same time, there are more and more umbrellas that also block sunlight, making dual-purpose umbrellas increasingly popular.

On the other hand, in places like New Zealand and the Netherlands, the focus is firmly on wind-resistance. Sun protection isn’t much of a concern there, and water-repellency takes a backseat as well. As long as the umbrella can handle a bit of rain, people don’t mind just wearing a hood.

Because of these differences in priorities, there are cases where overseas brands develop products for the Japanese market through local distributors, which then become popular in their home countries after being reimported from Japan.

It seems that sun and rain-compatible umbrellas are also selling well among foreigners visiting Japan. Are the buyers mainly people from other Asian countries?

We are also seeing more people from Europe buying them. I think Japan's summer is just too hot. Even if the umbrellas are made outside Japan, such as in China, if they are planned and manufactured by Japanese makers, the quality is trusted, so many people feel safe purchasing them.

Previously, inbound travelers seemed satisfied as long as umbrellas offered UV protection, but recently they are looking for not just UV-blocking but also light-shielding and heat-shielding functions. People now expect UV protection rates of over 99%.

Speaking of umbrellas from overseas and the UK, for an umbrella enthusiast like Tsuchiya, is the UK your dream destination?

Yes, it is. And Germany as well. That's because Germany was the first country to make folding umbrellas. The folding umbrella's birthday is March 16, 1928 — the day the patent was filed.

Where do you think the greatest appeal of umbrellas lies?

It's definitely the silhouette. I don't think there are many objects humanity has been involved with whose shape has stayed this consistent. It's such a perfect form.

At the same time, umbrellas have their imperfections. If you want a lightweight umbrella, you worry about sturdiness, and if you want high water repellency, the fabric tends to be delicate. I love that sense of imperfection because it feels so human.

Finally, what do umbrellas mean to you, Tsuchiya?

They're familiar, yet very precious to me. Like a partner, they’re always there so it's easy to take them for granted, but umbrellas shouldn't be treated as just something that's "always there". I hope people will treasure their umbrellas more in their daily lives.