Seasons in Japan
Spring
Spring(春:[haru]) is the first of four seasons in Japan. From March to May.
The symbol of spring is cherry blossom(桜：[sakra]) in Japan. At the middle of March, the cherry-blossom front starts from south part of Japan until the middle of May. When cherry blossoms are in bloom, you can find many events called Hanami(flower viewing). Hanami usually means watching cherry blossoms in Japan. People are enjoying beautiful cherry blossoms along with Japanese-sake, beer or other drinks. Hanami is held in night time at weekday or daytime of weekend.(You can check about cherry blossom front in Advance line of cherry blossoms Institute)
Next of Hanami season, special term called Golden-Week(GW) comes to Japan. It is from 29th of April to 5th of May. GW includes many Japanese national holidays(29/Apr,3/May,4/May and 5/May). And many people take vacation in this term for travel, outdoor activities, leisure and so on.
Around GW, rice planting is started in agricultural area. Rice is very important in Japan. Not only as the stale food, but also for sake, sweets and so on.
Japanese spring has varieties of climate. Because of geographical features. About70% of land is covered by mountains. For example, at middle of March, Kyushu's(south part of Japan) temperature rise to 20℃, but still snowing in Hokkaido(north part of Japan).
Events in Spring
- Hanami (Flower Viewing)
- Shiretoko Nature Cruise [Hokkaido]
- Takayama matsuri (Sanno-sai in Spring) [Central Japan]
- Cherry blossoms in Yoshinoyama mountain [Historical City]
People who like Spring
Summer
Summer(夏:[natsu]) is the second period of four seasons in Japan. June, July and August.
Typical Japanese Summer except for Hokkaido is very hot and humid. Daytime temperatures are generally around 30℃ - 35℃.
Summer consists of four terms. Early summer,the rainy season(梅雨:[tsuyu]), peak summer and summer-end. The rainy season continues from middle of June to middle of July. The temperature-humidity index is very high. But this is a welcome rain for agriculture.
Many companies takes holiday called Obon/Bon-Yasumi(お盆/盆休み) at the end of peak-summer(around 15/Aug). Many dance and music festivals are held around Obon, those festivals are called Bon-Odori(盆踊り).
Bon(盆) means tray. Originally comes from Buddhism to put offerings to the spirits.
August is the season of holiday. Most of school takes holiday. Therefore august is the peak season of leisure.
Events in Spring
People who like Summer
Autumn
Autumn(秋:[aki]) is the third period of four seasons in Japan. September, October and November.
Autumn is the harvest season. Climate is confortable.
The farmers are busy harvesting rice, vegetable and fruits. A lot of sport festivals are organized in September and October. The maple and ginkgo leaves have turned red and yellow in October and November.
Beautiful red dragonfly is circling in the sky. Crickets and bell crickets are chirping instead of cicadas.
Events in Autumn
- Takayama matsuri (Hachiman-sai in Autumn) [Central Japan]
People who like Autumn
Winter
Winter(冬:[huyu]) is the last period of four seasons. December, January and February.
Winter used to be the season of snow, but nowadays, we can see it only in north part and mountain area. Because of global warming.
People who like Winter