Japan is poor in natural resources, but brings a huge number of delightful natural scenery. The Japanese are very attentive to details, and their pedantry can be compared only to the German pedantry. We share a year on the four traditional periods. The Japanese share a year on the 24 seasons since ancient times.

Each season has its own name, distinctive signs and individual color scheme. A characteristic feature of Japan is its length. It causes some climatic differences in the country.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Japan

Spring in Japan Spring usually starts in March. The days are becoming warmer and the trees are beginning to bloom. Plums begin to bloom in the first instance. They gladden by magnificent colors. After some time peach trees are beginning to bloom too. The most interesting begins in late March or early April. The Japanese watch the news intently in these days, waiting for the announcement about cherry blossom. Further there is a holiday, consisting in admiring flowers. Gentle cherry flowers are short-lived. They please eye for about two weeks, then they give way to other spring flowers. Flowering of cherry trees is a basis of springtime. The tree does not bloom simultaneously all over the country; it blooms in different regions one by one. The festival of flowering cherry is one of the most cheerful celebrations in Japan.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +2°C (36 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 100 mm (3.9")

April Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 135 mm (5.3")

May Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 130 mm (5.1")

(Tokyo)

Spring Holidays

March 3 – Hinamacury. Traditional day of girls.
March 14 – White day, when man buy to his woman tasty things.
March 21 - Day of spring equinox

April 8 – Festival of flowers

May 3 - Constitution day
May 4 – Greenery day
May 5 – The day of children

Summer in Japan

Summer in Japan Summer follows the spring in Japan. The summer here lasts from May to early September. The beginning of summer is full of sunny days. Then the rainy season begins, during this period almost each day is rainy. The summer on the most territories of the country is hot with high timidity. The island Hokkaido is an exception. Here the summer is a little bit softer.

Mid-summer season is very bright. This fact encourages people to go into the countryside. Therefore, the middle of August usually becomes time for camping trips, visits to the mountains or relaxing at the seaside. The end of summer is not the safest period, because at this time there are typhoons. But you should not afraid them. They usually do not get to the city limits. Usually they just bring windy days with rain. In summer, a lot of festivals take place in Japan. They attract tourists from around the world.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 180 mm (7.1")

July Max average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 145 mm (5.7")

August Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 145 mm (5.7")

(Tokyo)

Summer Holidays

July 7 – Tanabata. This romantic festival owes its appearance to the Chinese legend about Orihime and Hikobosi. In this holiday the streets are decorated with red lanterns and bamboo stems, to which anyone can attach a piece of paper with his desire.
3rd Monday of July – The day of sea.

1st decade of August – Nebuta. Summer holiday in the Tohoku region. The holiday looks like the  night marches.
August 13-15 – Obon. Japanese festival of All Souls.

Autumn in Japan

The autumn usually lasts from September to November. Sometimes it is rainy, but in general the weather becomes drier. During this period, the trees begin to change its color. Passing through the city you can estimate all the charm of Japanese nature. In addition, the harvest begins in this period; it is followed by many celebrations in honor of the harvest. One of the largest festivals is Festival of rice, which is celebrated nationally.

Autumn is an incredibly beautiful time of year in Japan. It is because of the fact that the most part of the mountains covered with deciduous trees that change their color from green to fiery autumn colors. The Festival of moon admiring is increasingly popular in Japan. In this day the moon turns into a huge golden ball, decorating the night sky.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 210 mm (8.3")

October Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 4hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 220 mm (8.7")

November Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 100 mm (3.9")

(Tokyo)

Autumn Holidays

3rd Monday of September – The day of respect aged people
September 23 - Autumnal Equinox Day

2nd Monday of October - Physical Education Day

November 3 – The day of culture
November 23 - Labor Thanksgiving Day

Winter in Japan

Winter in Japan The winter usually lasts from the end of November to the February. At this time, the entire country felt the cold winds blowing from Siberia. Mild temperatures are observed only in the south, and in other regions much colder. In the north of the country the huge snowdrifts are common. However, this fact does not stop travelers wishing to see the huge snow sculptures in Sapporo.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +1 °C (34 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

January Max average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Min average t°: -2 °C (28 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

February Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.9")

(Tokyo)

Winter Holidays

December 23 - Emperor's Birthday
December 24-25 – Christmas
December 31 – Omisoka

1st half of January – New year day`s