SEASONAL WONDERS OF JAPAN

SUMMER

WINTER
Spring
The spring season in Japan starts in
March and ends in May. For local
people, spring means the beginning of
the school and fiscal year, and
everyone feels a sense of renewal and
revitalization at this turn of the season.
As if waking from a dreamy spell,
Japan comes to life as the snow and
cold weather melt away. The newfound
energy attracts travelers to visit Japan
in spring for flowers, food, festivals,
and fun
Hanami
Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese festival
also known as Doll's Day or Girls' Day. It is
celebrated on March 3rd every year, and it's
a day to pray for the happiness and well-
being of young girls in the family. During
Hinamatsuri, families with daughters display
a set of ornamental dolls called "hina dolls"
on a special tiered platform covered with red
fabric. These dolls represent the Emperor,
Empress, attendants, and musicians of the
Heian period (794-1185).
Hina Matsuri
Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese festival
also known as Doll's Day or Girls' Day. It is
celebrated on March 3rd every year, and it's
a day to pray for the happiness and well-
being of young girls in the family. During
Hinamatsuri, families with daughters display
a set of ornamental dolls called "hina dolls"
on a special tiered platform covered with red
fabric. These dolls represent the Emperor,
Empress, attendants, and musicians of the
Heian period (794-1185).
Boy’s Day
Tango no Sekku is a traditional
Japanese festival also known as Boys'
Day or Children's Day. It is celebrated
on May 5th every year, and it's a day
to pray for the health, happiness, and
success of boys in the family. During
Tango no Sekku, families with sons
display colorful carp-shaped
windsocks, called "koinobori," outside
their homes to symbolize strength and
determination, as well as traditional
warrior dolls known as "samurai
dolls."
Higan Ceremony
Higan is a term in Japanese Buddhism
that refers to the equinox, which
occurs twice a year, in spring and
autumn. During Higan, Buddhists
traditionally engage in activities such
as visiting and cleaning family graves,
offering prayers and incense, and
reflecting on the teachings of
Buddhism
Spring’s Ume Sakura
Mochi
Tai

Foods
Takenoko Ichigo
Daifuku
 SUMMER
Summer in Japan (Natsu) starts in June and
ends in August. But the summer season
starts with rain in the end of June to the
middle of July, it often rains and gets chilly
as the temperature drops. This period is
called Tsuyu (rainy season). After Tsuyu is
over, the temperature jumps up and full-
fledged summer comes and the sunshine gets
intense. Most of July and a little of August
are characterized by hot and humid days.
 SUMMER
Summer in Japan (Natsu) starts in June and
ends in August. But the summer season
starts with rain in the end of June to the
middle of July, it often rains and gets chilly
as the temperature drops. This period is
called Tsuyu (rainy season). After Tsuyu is
over, the temperature jumps up and full-
fledged summer comes and the sunshine gets
intense. Most of July and a little of August
are characterized by hot and humid days.
Summer’s
Seasonal
Flowers
Summer’s Seasonal Flowers
In Japan, ajisai is a plant linked to the
breathtaking landscapes of the rainy season:
after losing all its leaves in the colder season,
the Japanese hydrangea regains its natural
splendor in late spring and early summer. Also
called Rose of Japan.
Ajisai
During summer, cheerful sunflowers grow in
abundance in various places across Japan. The
mid- and late-summer bloom, himawari
(sunflower), originated in North America but is
widely popular in Japan. A common staple in
summertime bouquets, sunflowers are considered
to be positive and uplifting flowers and have the
romantic meaning of love at first sight.
Himawari
Summer’s Seasonal Flowers
In Japan, ajisai is a plant linked to the
breathtaking landscapes of the rainy season:
after losing all its leaves in the colder season,
the Japanese hydrangea regains its natural
splendor in late spring and early summer. Also
called Rose of Japan.
Ajisai
During summer, cheerful sunflowers grow in
abundance in various places across Japan. The
mid- and late-summer bloom, himawari
(sunflower), originated in North America but is
widely popular in Japan. A common staple in
summertime bouquets, sunflowers are considered
to be positive and uplifting flowers and have the
romantic meaning of love at first sight.
Himawari
Gion Matsuri
Gion Matsuri is a festival held
every July in Kyoto and lasts for a
month. Featuring Natsu Matsuri,
the Gion Matsuri is considered the
largest and most famous festival in
Japan. It was awarded the title of
World Intangible Cultural Heritage
in 2009. Gion Matsuri follows
many traditions. For example, a
local boy will be chosen as a
“divine boy” to visit the shrine and
pray for good luck. From July 13
to July 17, he is carried on a
palanquin and his feet don’t touch
the ground.
Tenjin Matsuri
Tenjin Matsuri means
“the festival of the gods”
and was first held in
honor of Sugawara
Michizane, a scholar who
is regarded as the Shinto
god of learning. Since
then, the festival has been
held on his death
anniversary, from July 24
to 25, in Osaka for 1,000
years. It is the largest
water festival in the
world.
Sanno Matsuri
The Sanno Matsuri
originated in the Edo
period (1603-1867). It is
held in June and will last
for more than a week,
featuring a variety of
small-scale events, such
as flower arranging,
dancing, and
performances and
rituals, especially for
children.
Kenda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri began in the Edo
period (1603-1867) to celebrate the
prosperity under the Tokugawa
Shogunate’s governance. Kanda
Matsuri is presided over by Kanda
Myojin Shrine, which enshrines three
gods: Daikokuten, Ebisu, and Taira
Masakado. Since Daikokuten and
Ebisu are in charge of the harvest and
commerce respectively, Kanda
Matsuri has gradually become a
celebration of prosperity and good
fortune. Kanda Matsuri is held on
Saturday around May 15
Seasonal Foods
Gyoza Roasted corn Cold soba Umeshu

Watermelon Unagi Ayu

Seasonal Foods

Gyoza Roasted corn Cold soba Umeshu

Watermelon Unagi Ayu

Autumn
Autumn in Japan usually
lasts from September to
November, depending on
the region and elevation.
In September it is still
warm, the average
temperatures in Tokyo are
23-28 (73.4-82.4 F)
during the day and 18-21
(64.4-69.8 F) in the
morning and at night. In
October, it falls to 19-23
(66.2-73.4 F) during the
day and 14-18 (57.2-64.4
F) in the morning and at
night.
Famous Places
Tokyo
Kyoto
Naba no
Sato
Festivals and
Activities
Sumo Wrestling
in Kokugikan
Tokyo Ramen Show at
Komazawa Olympic
Park
Jingu Gaien Ginkgo
Festival
Kichijoji festival
Pacific Saury Sweet Potato Matsutake

Myoga Chestnut Kaki Oyster

Pacific Saury Sweet Potato Matsutake

Myoga Chestnut Kaki Oyster

Winter
Winter
Famous Places
Famous Places
CITIES
T
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The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the
largest and most popular winter festivals
in Japan. It is held annually in February
in Hokkaido's Capital Sapporo. The
festival features over 250 snow sculptures
of all sizes, with some sculptures
reaching 15 meters high and 25 meters
wide. In addition to the snow sculptures,
there are different activities held here
and you can try different delicious
Japanese food here.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the
largest and most popular winter festivals
in Japan. It is held annually in February
in Hokkaido's Capital Sapporo. The
festival features over 250 snow sculptures
of all sizes, with some sculptures
reaching 15 meters high and 25 meters
wide. In addition to the snow sculptures,
there are different activities held here
and you can try different delicious
Japanese food here.
 The Namahage Sedo Festival is a
winter festival that takes place in Oga
City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. The
festival is a combination of the 900-
year-old Shinto ritual “Saitosai,” which
has been held at Mayama Shrine every
year on January 3, and the folkloric
Namahage event. The Namahage Sedo
Festival is a traditional event that
began in 1964, which combines the
folklore tradition of 'Namahage' and
the sacred Shinto ritual of 'Saitousai'
into one main spectacle. Thanks to
their cultural significance, Oga's
Namahage were added to UNESCO's
Intangible CulturalHeritage of
Humanity list in November 2018.
Seasonal Flowers
 CAMILLEA PLUM BLOSS
INT ER SWEET OM
W HELLEBORE
 IA
SASANSQUA CAMELL
CYC
LAM
EN

DAPHNE
NARCISSUS

SEASONAL FOODS
SEASONAL FOODS

NABE

SOBA
YUZU ODEN
 MOCHI
CHESTNUT

TARABA-GANI
WINTER KAISEKI