It’s well known that Japan’s winter months attract crowds from all over the world in search of powder-covered ski slopes, snow and ice festivals, and spectacular winter illuminations – not to mention delicious steaming bowls of hot and hearty ramen. But there’s a whole other side to Japan just waiting to be explored during the country’s balmy summer months. Here are some reasons to put the Japanese summertime experience on your travel radar.
White Sand Beaches And Tropical Getaways
If you’re not so keen on the idea of exploring the cities in the summer heat, head down to the southern prefecture of Okinawa to experience Japan’s tropical oasis. Offering luxurious resorts, white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and coral reefs, highlights of a trip to Okinawa might include snorkelling, diving, water sports, poolside relaxation, or even island hopping around some of Okinawa’s smaller tropical islands that are connected to the mainland by road bridge.
Street Festivals
Traditionally, summer in Japan is the time to celebrate, which means there are festivals taking place across the country throughout the summer months that include spectacular displays of dance, music, and parades of impressive culturally inspired floats. Some of the most popular festivals include the Tanabata festival, which is held by cities in July and August, the Nebuta Matsuris in Aomori City, the Kanto Matsuri in Akita City, and the Awa Odori Matsuri in Tokushima.
Go Surfing
With long stretches of spectacular coastlines, surfing is a popular summertime sport in Japan. In fact, you don’t have to venture too far from Tokyo to find beautiful beaches with ideal surf conditions, such as Enoshima Beach and Shirahama. Shikoku island is also known for its ideal surf conditions, particularly on the southeast coastline in the prefectures of Kochi and Tokushima. Meanwhile, the tropical island chain of Okinawa offers great surf conditions all year-round.
Enjoy Summer Food
Perhaps unsurprisingly for a nation that experiences icy temperatures in winter and hot, humid conditions in summer, the food people choose to eat can vary throughout the year. One of the most favourite treats people enjoy during a Japanese summer is shaved ice (kakigori) which is usually served in a cup and fruit flavoured with various sweet toppings. Somen – thin noodles served cold and with a soup dip – also make the perfect light lunch on a summers day. Hiyashi Chuka (chilled Chinese), a combination of vegetables, noodles and chilled soup, and Rei Shabu – a cold pork or chicken salad – are also delicious dishes to try in summer.
Summer Adventure
In a country known for its spectacular landscapes and natural wonders, Japan is a playground for adventure seekers looking for anything from adrenaline-inducing thrills to the spoils of more relaxed nature-inspired explorations. Summer in Japan opens the opportunity to enjoy a broader range of unique experiences that can be either be too difficult or impossible during the winter season. Some of these include mountain hiking and cycling, white water rafting in the gorges, canyoning, stand up paddleboarding, camping expeditions, and kayaking the lakes and rivers.
