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5 reasons to consider seeing Japan during its summertime


You’ve seen sakura or cherry blossoms in April, witnessed the leaves change their hues from green to orange and yellow around October, and even played around in snow, skied, or made little snowmen during winter. So why leave its summer months out of your Land of the Rising Sun bucket list?

 

Climb Mount Fuji as Japanese summertime is climbing season. All photos: Stanley Baldwin See
Climb Mount Fuji as Japanese summertime is climbing season. All photos: Stanley Baldwin See

 

Japanese summer, usually lasting from June to mid-September, actually has a few privileges and advantages that other months cannot offer. I experienced three hot and humid weeks when I was sent to Tokyo for an official business trip during summertime and below are some of the best thing about going to Japan in the summer.

1. No need to pack thick and bulky winter wear
Leave the long sleeves, gloves, bonnet, scarves, jackets, and thermal underwear in your closet because t-shirts and shorts are the way to go. You also get to save a bit on baggage fees and weight as you will only need to pack light. Light, breathable fabrics like cotton ensure that you’re as cool as a cucumber when the thermometer hits the mid-30’s (Celsius).

2. It’s your chance to climb Mt. Fuji
There’s a short window that permits people to climb Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji, and guess what, it’s during the summer months. The official climbing season begins in early July and goes all the way to mid-September, when summer ends. At 3776 meters tall, Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest and most important mountain and climbing its summit is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

Asakusa Samba Carnival Festival honors the current Queen of the Drums as well as determines next year’s queen.
Asakusa Samba Carnival Festival honors the current Queen of the Drums as well as determines next year’s queen.

3. Summer is when Asakusa Samba Carnival Festival happens!
Japan, like the Philippines, has a thousand and one festivals happening throughout the year. One such festival that I have attended was the Asakusa Samba Carnival Festival. Asakusa, famous for the Sensoji Temple and the 200-meter long Nakamise (shopping alley), transforms into a festive area full of Japanese, Brazilian, and other nationalities dancing to the beat of samba during the last days of August.

With more than 20 teams from the different samba schools in Japan competing, the festival is both a parade for the current Queen of the Drums and a contest to determine next year’s queen.

4. It’s easier to enjoy the outdoors
Wintery-like weather will leave you with dry skin, chapped lips, and may cause some type of illness. Plus, walking from point A to B in snow conditions is a challenge rather than a pleasure.

Seeing Japan in the summer gives you a chance to see Mother Nature in her most splendid beauty as you conveniently take a slow walk in the many parks and outdoor areas from Hokkaido in the north to Hiroshima to the west. Each step using your rubber shoes is heaven compared to thick snow boots; you can even wear flip-flops outside if you want to.

 

Walks in the park or temple grounds are much more pleasant when you don’t have to deal with the cold, wind gusts, and thick crowds.
Walks in the park or temple grounds are much more pleasant when you don’t have to deal with the cold, wind gusts, and thick crowds.

5. There’s lesser crowds
The least known advantage of Japan summer is that crowds in tourist areas and famous landmarks tend to get thinner during the hot months between July and September. Less people means more opportunities for better photos, shorter queues, and more places to visit.

Coming from a tropical country like the Philippines, visiting Japan during the hot summer months might seem illogical but, as with anything Japanese, it promises to be just as exciting and interesting as the three other seasons. — LA/KVD, GMA News

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