WHAT IS HARAMAKI?
There are some items of clothing that, when you try them on for the first time, make you wonder: How did I ever live without this? The haramaki is one of them.
The haramaki is a soft fabric band that retains your body’s warmth and helps prevent sudden temperature changes, providing a pleasant sensation of being gently embraced. It is a traditional Japanese abdominal wrap designed to protect and warm your core (abdomen and lower back), and its name literally means “to wrap the belly” in Japanese.
Here we tell you more about the Happy Belly haramaki, an essential element of well-being in Japan for centuries, now reinterpreted with our Mediterranean touch.
WHERE DOES THE HARAMAKI COME FROM?
The word 'Hara-Maki' comes from Japanese: the hara is the central part of the body (the trunk) and maki means roll or roll. Haramaki = wrapping the center of the body.
The origin of the haramaki goes back to the Shinto rituals of the Japanese Empire. When a soldier went to fight, he received a senninbari or belt from the women of the family and the village; Together they contributed to sew it with a stitch until they completed "the belt of 1,000 stitches." The senninbari provided warmth to the soldier and served as a protective amulet against the dangers of war.
Nowadays, wearing a haramaki around the waist also conveys confidence and seclusion while providing numerous health benefits. At Happy Belly Barcelona we have adapted the Japanese pattern to turn it into an original fashion accessory that can be worn 24 hours a day and combined with all kinds of clothing.
WHAT IS THE HARAMAKI USED FOR?
When you wear a haramaki, blood circulation increases throughout the waist area, right in the area where the main organs are located, benefiting their functioning and transmitting a pleasant feeling of well-being.
HEAT
The haramaki regulates body temperature: it insulates against moisture and drafts, covering the kidneys, abdomen, and lower back without constricting them.
It doesn’t provide heat from the outside—like a hot water bottle—but rather retains the heat generated by your own body.
Our grandmothers used to nag us to cover our kidneys, and they knew what they were talking about: it is the organ most sensitive to the cold.
HEALTH
It promotes blood circulation and stimulates the function of vital organs. By preventing sudden temperature changes, it also strengthens the immune system.
A true ally for women’s health: it helps relieve painful periods, supports fertility treatments, and provides comfort during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
It also improves digestion and soothes lower back pain or discomfort.
EMBRACE
The feeling of gentle support and containment provided by the haramaki is similar to the calmness produced by a long embrace.
It promotes relaxation, connects you with your energy center, and helps you become more aware of your body.
The first thing you tell us when you try it is that you didn’t expect it. It’s no wonder our brand slogan is: life is a hug.
WHEN TO WEAR THE HARAMAKI
There are so many moments throughout the day! Unlike restrictive girdles, the haramaki offers support without limiting movement.
COLD DAYS
Make the most of your own body heat! Wear it during the colder months or in air-conditioned offices. If you tend to feel cold easily or the environment is humid, the haramaki will help you stay warm and balanced.
AT WORK
Whether you spend hours sitting in front of a screen or work on your feet—as a sales clerk, preschool teacher, hairdresser, or massage therapist—your lower back feels the strain before you even realize it.
DO YOU NEED PAMPERING?
For those days when you need a little extra comfort, the haramaki is there to support and soothe you with its gentle embrace. It not only helps relieve muscle discomfort, but also provides comfort during colds or days when your energy is low.
OUTDOORS
Prevents your muscles from getting cold while practicing yoga, Pilates, hiking, biking, or riding a motorcycle... Any activity where your lower back is exposed to the cold.
WHEN YOU SLEEP
The haramaki improves your sleep and prevents you from waking up if you kick off the covers. Maintaining a constant body temperature while you sleep will make waking up a different experience. Also ideal for young children.
FASHION ACCESSORY
The haramaki is also a unique accessory that adds a pop of color and completes your look. You can wear it under your clothes or on the outside, over skirts, leggings, or pants.
THE 6 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
View allWhat is the purpose of haramaki? What are its benefits?
The haramaki is an abdominal warmer: an elastic fabric band that covers from the abdomen to the lower back and collects your body's natural heat without squeezing.
This area contains almost all of your vital organs (except for the heart and lungs). Keeping it warm activates circulation, improves organ function, and generates an immediate feeling of well-being and security.
In everyday life, it helps relieve lower back pain, menstrual discomfort, indigestion, and chills from temperature changes. For us, it's like wearing a hug.
What materials do you use?
The fabric you choose matters: it affects the feel, thermal performance, and care requirements of the garment.
Our haramakis are made from organic cotton: soft, breathable, and gentle on sensitive skin. GOTS certification covers both the organic origin of the fabric and the working conditions of those who produce it. The dyes are Oeko-Tex certified, so they do not pollute the water with every wash.
Extra-fine merino wool is naturally thermoregulatory: it keeps you warm in the cold without overheating in mild weather. It is naturally elastic and has antibacterial properties.
The wool in the Fuji Series is also RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certified, which guarantees animal welfare and responsible management of the source farms.
Find out more about how we work here.
Is haramaki only for women?
No, the haramaki is for anyone who wants to take care of themselves. The benefits of keeping the abdominal and lumbar area warm are the same for everyone: improved circulation, less back strain, and a feeling of comfort and tranquility.
We also have children's sizes , so that the little ones at home can also enjoy their hug.
How do I know my size?
The easiest way is to go by your usual clothing size. Cotton has some stretch and will adapt to your body with wear. If you're between sizes, choose the smaller one.
Remember that a haramaki is not a girdle: it doesn't constrict, it supports you. Its function is to warm, not compress.
If you want measurements for each size, you can consult them in our Size Guide .
How do you put the haramaki?
It's very simple: you slip it over your feet (like a tubular skirt) and pull it up to cover your abdomen and lower back. It has no buttons or zippers.
The narrower part sits at the top, about 5cm above the navel. The wider part, with the label, sits at the bottom, covering the lower back.
You can wear it under your clothes, against your skin, or visibly on top as a fashion accessory. Both work :)
Do you have a special model for pregnancy?
Yes. We have designed a specific haramaki to accompany you throughout your pregnancy: the front opens in a fan shape and adapts to the growth of your belly, while the back covers and protects your lower back.
It is also very useful during postpartum recovery or breastfeeding: when you lift your shirt to breastfeed, the haramaki keeps your abdomen covered and warm.
Please refer to the size guide for this model, as the design differs from the standard size.
HOW WE MAKE YOUR HARAMAKI
At Happy Belly Barcelona, we take care of you and the environment with each garment we create. That is why we claim a conscious and ethical fashion:
- We produce small collections to avoid large inventories.
- We pay the utmost attention to quality.
- All our garments are manufactured between Igualada and Tàrrega.
- Our suppliers are Spanish, Belgian, and Italian.
- We seek out environmentally friendly materials: certified fabrics, toxin-free dyes, reusable packaging, and recycled paper.
- We embrace circularity and give fabric scraps a second life.
