You hear a lot about the four seasons of Japan. There are clear distinctions between each season in Japan. People are always especially talking about autumn and spring in Japan, as they are known to be some of the prettiest seasons to go. And I must say...it's true! The beautiful fall foliage and the delicate pink petals in spring make Japan even more beautiful and spectacular. Winter has its own merits, especially for those who enjoy the brisk air and having fun in the snow. Japan really does become a winter wonderland. However, there is something to be said about summer. Summer tends to be the season that lives in spring's shadow, but it's personally one of my favorite seasons. I mean there's something about the lazy warm days enjoying cold treats, and relaxing with a good book. The air in summer just feels more lively, just rolling with good vibes.
One of the most fun seasons in Japan is summer. For one, it's beautiful, the people are out on break, and there is so much great food available to enjoy. Yes, the weather might be hot, there's just no hiding that, but there is so much going on in the summer that there is never a loss for things to do. There are also plenty of cold treats to enjoy to give relief from the heat as well. If you know where to go, what to look for, and what to try, everyday in summer can be a great time.
Here below is a list of some of the most popular and recommended things to do during the summer season in Japan. The list ranges from a mix of classic and traditional Japanese activities, to things that are more popular within the more recent generations. No matter what age you are or what you prefer to do under the summer sun, there is something that everyone can enjoy!
1. Beaches
Starting with the classic summertime activity, something about going to the beach really does make it feel like summer has officially arrived. Japan might not be one of the main places you think of when you think about beach destinations, but there are some hidden gems and places that aren't as well known that actually have amazing beaches. If you're looking for that classic, tropical beach vibe, the smaller islands in Japan instead of Honshu are probably your best bet. Places like Okinawa have the classic bright blue water beaches. On the main island of Honshu, there are also some popular beach spots like Odaiba Beach in Tokyo. Beaches are a great way to relax during the summer in Japan.
Beach in Okinawa
Check out this blog we did of our top beach spots in Japan for more!
2. Attend a summer festival
Summer is one of the main seasons for festivals in Japan. The varieties are endless and they're all over Japan. One of my favorite memories of spending the summer in Japan was actually going to summer festivals and playing games at booths and eating delicious festival foods. Many of the festivals are fashioned around a particular theme or event such as a lantern festival. Some of the most popular summer festivals in Japan are the Tanabata Festival and the Bon Festival.
The Tanabata Festival also known as the Star Festival is a festival in which colorful paper ornaments are hung around with wishes written on them. The festival celebrates two folktale characters Orihime and Hikonboshi, and has its roots on Chinese tradition as well.
Tanabata Festival
The Bon Festival celebrates one's ancestors and family. The festival is usually three days, and depending on the area, the traditions may differ a bit. The festival has its roots in Japanese Buddhist traditions, and during the festival there is often a dance that people do as well to honor their ancestors called the Bon Odori.
Gujo Odori, a Bon dance festival
At these summer festivals it is really popular for people to dress up in yukatas which is often referred to as the summer kimono. Although it looks like a kimono is some ways, the fabric tends to be lighter and there arent's as many layers involved.
Colorful Yukatas
3. Enjoy some kakigōri
Enjoying summer in Japan would not be complete without trying some kakigōri, or Japanese shaved ice. During the summer, it seems like everywhere you go, people are holding a cup of shaved ice. They seem to sell it everywhere. And it's a good thing too, as Japan gets really hot in the summer and kakigōri is a delicious and great way to cool down. There are a variety of flavors that you can get on your shaved ice including matcha syrup. The toppings are vast as well including azuki, a type of red bean, and mochi. You can always count on summer to bring all sorts of delcious kakigōri.
Kakigori - Blue Shaved Ice
4. See a firework show
Going along with the summer festivals of Japan, Japan is also known for having many firework festivals during the summer. Japan really has amazing firework shows that really go above and beyond a regular firework. Some of the festivals feature unique shaped fireworks and some are exploded in unique ways. The fireworks shows are usually very well organized and many times go along with a theme. It truly is spectacular and orchestrated in grand fashion. Some of the most popular firework festivals are the Sumida Firework Festival on Tokyo Bay and the Kumano Firework Show.
Firework Festival
To see our top 10 firework festival list, check out this post we did.
5. Visit a haunted house maze
I know, most of you might be thinking that a haunted house in the summer is strange. After all, in many western counties including in the United States, haunted houses are usually associated with the fall and with Halloween. But in Japan, haunted houses are usually only open in the summer. Halloween in the recent years, has become a more widely celebrated day, but prior to that, Halloween wasn't much of a big deal. So there wasn't the notion to have haunted houses during that time. Instead, most of the haunted houses opened during the summer when the nights were longer, and more people were out during the night. There was a thought process that during the hot nights in Japan, entering a haunted house would be chilling enough to cool you down. In recent years, there are more haunted houses that are open year round but it still continues to be a summer tradition in Japan. You can visit Fuji-Q Highland for one of the most popular haunted house attractions!
Scary Image
Honorable mentions
There are so many more things to do in Japan that is not limited to this list. There are loads of nice restuarants to eat at, and places to enjoy a nice view. Depending on the area, firefly (hotaru) watching is also a perfect summertime activity. There is something magical about the Japanese tradition of eating warermelon in the summer and watching the fireflies light up and buzz around. Going for a walk is also a nice way to spend some time in Japan, but be sure to drink plenty of water as it is incredibly hot!
Summer is truly one of the most fun times to visit in Japan
*Be sure to also check out our top summer destinations post that we did showing some amazing spots to go to in Japan during the summer!
