There are 4 seasons in Japan because of its location on the Pacific which are Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Japanese culture is deeply related to these 4 seasons. Not only the there are different beautiful sceneries, but also differenttraditional events in each season.
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Period of each season
Spring : middle of March - beginning of May
Summer : middle of May - beginning of September
Fall : middle of September - beginning of November
Winter : middle of November - beginning of March
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SPRING
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Spring starts as the Winter end. The winter snow melts in this period. Springs are just as nice. Warm days, but a sweater is advisable for chilly evenings. The mild weather is refreshing and humid.
TEMPERATURES
Central Japan : 8 - 17°C (46 - 62°F )Southern Japan : 8 - 18°C (46 - 64°F )
Northern Japan : 0 - 9°C (32 - 48°F )
Spring is the best time to visit Japan. Moderate temperatures, longer days, no mosquitoes and cherry blossoms.
The cherry blossoms are known as sakura in Japan. They are only in full bloom for around one week. After the period, the small and round shaped flowers start to fall gracefully from their trees. The blossoms are the most beautiful in this final stage because the white and pink petals float gently to the ground.
The cherry blossoms are known as sakura in Japan. They are only in full bloom for around one week. After the period, the small and round shaped flowers start to fall gracefully from their trees. The blossoms are the most beautiful in this final stage because the white and pink petals float gently to the ground.
Click here → 2017 Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast
Cherry blossoms sweeps up the country from south to north is followed by a showery front. Golden Week, starts on the end of April, a national holiday to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Showa, who passed away in 1989. The first week of May is the busiest travel season, and best avoided. (Check this out)
For Japanese, the blooming of the cherry blossom trees symbolizes human life, transience and nobleness. The Japanese love to cherish the cherry blossoms trees during the limited flowering period. Everyone must experiences a hanami (flower viewing) party at least once in their life!
The famous flowers in Spring also include the plum blossom, tulips, Azaleas and Wisteria. Plum blossom happens just before the cherry blossom. In April, numerous tulips and thousands of Azaleas start to grow. Moreover, May is the time for the magnificieent Wisteria. There are also wilf flowers and coloured mosses. The mountain areas are so pristine in Spring. Rivers and streams carry the melted snow and ice along the flow.
Plum blossom Tulips
Azaleas Wisteria
Mosses
People will wear summer clothing in the south, sweaters and jacket in further north. They also brought along showerproof jacket and umbrella ☂☂ to outdoor.
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Summer is hot with oppressive humidity. July and August are normally the hottest times of the year. Central and southern Japan are very humid. Humidity have a great effect and makes heat and cold a lot worse than what we expect. Here is the temperature guideline.
TEMPERATURES
Central Japan : 20 - 28°C (68 - 84°F )
Southern Japan : 21 - 29°C (69 - 84°F )
Northern Japan : 14 - 23°C (57 - 73°F )
Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan
Summer is one of the liveliest times in Japan. Japan has many festivals (matsuri) that are often spectacular in all their color, tradition, and full of enthusiasm. Summertime features many of Japan’s best festivals such as Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri, Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri, the Awa Odori festival in Tokushima, on the island of Shikoku, and countless lively and delicious neighborhood matsuri throughout the country.
Awa Odori Festival dance
Awa is the old feudal administration name for Tokushima, Shikoku and odori means dance. Awa odori is one of the three big Bon Dancing in Japan and one of the big festivals in Shikoku.
In addition to matsuri, summer is also famous for its extraordinary fireworks. Hanabi (fireworks) are taken seriously in Japan, and going to a hanabi taikai (annual firework festival) is both entertaining and quite culturally immersive. Tokyo’s Sumida River Fireworks are especially famous, but throughout the summer fireworks displays take place all around the country.
These activities are really fun to participate in but we must get ready to face Japan’s summer heat and humidity. We should wear light and comfortable clothing which dries easily.
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AUTUMN
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The starting of Japan's autumn (September) is the time with the greatest risk of typhoons. After that, autumn are about as nice as it gets. Clear skies and mild temperatures for months. The humidity is lower than in summer but is is still warm.
TEMPERATURES
Central Japan : 13 - 21°C (55 - 69°F )
Southern Japan : 12 - 22°C (53 - 71°F )
Northern Japan : 8 - 15°C (46 - 59°F )
Autumn is the most famous for the vibrancy of the changing koyo (foliage/leaf). The trees show beautiful autumn colours. Japan's autumn foliage season is almost similar to spring cherry blossom season in terms of appeal. Japanese often head to public parks, temples, shrines, gardens, forested valley, or just walk along the designated streets that are perfect to walk and enjoy the autumn foliage.
(Click me !) → 2016 Japan Autumn Foliage Forecast
Soaking in an outdoor onsen (japanese spa) while enjoying the autumn leaves viewing is also an unforgettable experience. One of the interesting facts about autumn is that people who born in this season will live longer.
Other than that, maple leaf is also well-known in Japan's autumn season. During the peak season, the leaves of the maple trees and ginkgo trees turn red and yellow presenting with beautiful scenery at every turn.
Autumn weather is awful when it rains ☁☁. It will be cold. So wear layered clothing, a light jacket or sweater especially in the north or in the hills.
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WINTER
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Winters are short in duration, and quite mild in central Japan with snow often lasting just a day. The humidity drives the cold into the bones.
TEMPERATURES
Central Japan : 1 - 9°C (30 - 48°F )
Southern Japan : 2 - 7°C (35 - 44°F )
Northern Japan : -10 - -1°C (30 - 14°F )
It is cold but winter is in fact one of the best times to experience Japan.
TOP 5 ATTRACTIONS IN WINTER
NO.1: Onsen (Hot springs)
NO. 2: World-class Skiing & Snowboarding
NO. 3: Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri)
NO. 4: The Snow Monkeys
NO. 5: Japanese Wintertime food
It is important to point out that many places are closed from the end of December until a few days into January such as some restaurants, museums, shops, and more. While there are exceptions, which are certain high-end restaurants, as well as those located in department stores and hotels for travelers.
On the bright side, this can be a beautiful time to get off the beaten path and visit more fascinating places of Japan.
Survival tips:
Taking hot baths is the quickest way to suck the chill out of your bones. Showers don't work well for yanking out a deep chill. Houses in japan have heater of their own to maintain a warm room temperature. Other than houses, there are built-in heaters under the seat in trains too.
WIND-RESISTANT JACKET IS A MUST
It is recommended to always carry a wind-resistant down jacket as it can be used individually. Down jacket are trendy and light-weight nowadays. It can be flattened to carry easily than those bulky and heavy coats all around.
3-TIER PROTECTION
To keep warm, put on three layers of clothing as basic protection. Firstly, put on sweat-absorbing and highly breathable inner wear, then follow with a sweater to keep body heat. Lastly, a wind-resistant outwear is necessary to keep warm in this winter season. This gives one the flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather and activity involved.
Snow shoes
Make sure the shoes are suitable for snow. It must be waterproof so that it would not get wet when we step into the snow. There is no doubt that our body would have chill into the bones if our feet are wet.
waterproof glove
Hands will get cold too! But glove can be in handy in some times.
REFERENCES✎
☞ Chen, Z. H., Xiao, M., Chen, X. (2008). Change in flowering dates of Japanese Cherry Blossoms (P. yedoensis Mats.) on campus of Wuhan University and its relationship with variability of winter temperature. Acta Ecologica Sinica. 28(11): 5209-5217.
☞ Scott. (2015). Cherry Blossom Report: Kyoto. Retrieved 5 November 2016 from http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/scott/150409_kyoto.html.
☞ Raina. (2016). Sapporo: Full Bloom. Retrieved 5 November 2016 from http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/sakura16/160502_sapporo.html
✌ By,
LIEW PUI YAN
161420048
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