Summer in Japan

Summer is a very popular season because it corresponds to a long period of holidays. Many countries around the globe celebrate summer in their own ways. Different countries have different summer traditions and today’s focus is on Japan, an ​​island country lying off the east coast of Asia.

Japan is a country with a rich culture and history, with its own traditions and numerous cultural traditions. Some of you may have been to Japan and know about the country, but how much are you familiar with its cultures and traditions? Because Japan is a country surrounded by sea, the summer can be hot and very humid. It might not be the most comfortable season to travel to Japan, but Japanese people know how to enjoy it. Summer traditions in Japan are called Natsu no Fuubutsu Shi (夏の風物詩). Here are some of the summer traditions in Japan that can be found during the summer in Japan.

Festivals are called Omatsuri (お祭り) in Japanese and most of the summer festivals take place from June to August. Unlike Western festivals, Japanese festivals are related to local shrines and temples, as well as folk religions. So the festivals are not only to celebrate the summer but also to celebrate and show appreciation to the gods who are enshrined. During the festivals there are many small stands and stalls called Yatai (屋台) that sell street foods and drinks, like KakiGori (shaved ice with syrup poured on top) and Somen (a very thin noodles served in water with ice and people dip it into a light flavoured dipping soup called Mentsuyu) and let you play games. Some popular summer festivals are: Gion Matsuri (祇園祭), Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) and Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (青森ねぶた祭り).

Another very popular summer festival in Japan is Tanabata (七夕) also known as the star festival. According to Japanese folklore, Tanabata is the day when two stars, Altair and Vega, which are usually separated from each other by the milky way, can meet. This festival takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month so now it is celebrated on July 7th in most of the regions. However, because the 7th month of the year is roughly around August based on the formerly used Chinese lunar calendar, it is celebrated on August in some regions. It is also a tradition to write a wish on Tanzaku (colourful strips of paper) and hang them on Tanabata trees which are made from bamboo branches. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (青森ねぶた祭り) is also a Tanabata festival.

In July and August, there are also many Hanabi Taikai (花火大会/ Fireworks shows) held across Japan. People enjoy Hanabi Taikai wearing Yukata which is a summer Kimono, Japanese traditional attire. There are many rentals of Yukatas so if you are interested, you can try wearing it for yourself. These fireworks are not to celebrate a specific holiday but to enjoy summer, so it can be seen very often throughout the summer.