Take In The Season: Experience Japanese Summer With Your 5 Senses

Would you like to enjoy summer in Japan to the fullest? Of course you would! That being said, it gets very hot and humid outside, so it can sometimes be tough to truly appreciate just what summer means to the Japanese.

Let's use our five senses and enjoy the finer points to a Japanese summer.

Don't forget to check out our Summer Special Feature to learn more about how to spend your summer in Japan!

Hear

From: The Sound Of Summer: The Wind Chime Market At Kawasaki Daishi Temple

Furin or wind chimes are the sound of Japanese summer to me. The light but resounding sound of these bells is so different from that of Western wind chimes, you can't help but think of summer when you hear one - even in the middle of winter!

And if you visit Kawasaki Daishi Temple's Furin Market, you can enjoy what summer sounds like in regions right across Japan, as there are dozens of different types of wind chimes to choose from.

See

From: Japan's Top 5 Outrageous Fireworks Festivals!

To the vast majority of people, summer sights in Japan mean firework festivals. The brilliant displays in the night sky vary from city to city, prefecture to prefecture, but one thing stays the same - they are incredibly popular! Seeing a fireworks festival in Japan is a must in the summer, and there are plenty to choose from, so please check out Summer Fun in Japan - Festivals, Beaches, Fireworks to find one that will suit your schedule.

From: Asakusa Kingyo - Catch Your Very Own Goldfish!

On the other hand, a lot of people, especially kids, might say that one of the best sights of summer is seeing the goldfish scooping event at a summer festival. You use a round paper scoop to try and catch a goldfish in a small bowl - those that you catch, you can take home as pets. While it might seem easy, it is really hard to do in person, so you may find yourself catching a lot of water and no fish for your first few tries. If you'd rather stay inside and just gaze at some goldfish instead though, then you should visit the cafe Kingyozaka where you can watch goldfish lazily swimming about in some pretty unique aquariums.

Smell

From: Katorisenko ("Mosquito Coil") - Japanese Encyclopedia

While some might say the scent of the many flowers that bloom during this season, summer in Japan to me means mosquitoes, and that means it's time to start burning a fresh coil of katorisenko. This is special type of green, coil-shaped incense made from a dried chrysanthemum. They're often found burning outside of shops or patios in the summer, usually in a cute, pig-shaped incense burners like this one.

Taste

From: Summer Staple: 5 Best Places For Shaved Ice In Tokyo

Kakigori is shaved or crushed ice eaten with a drizzling of flavored syrup or condensed milk, plus a wide assortment of toppings like fresh fruits, ice cream, red bean paste and more. It's cheap, refreshing and easy to make, and the ideal treat for those sweaty summer days.

From: Popular Festival Food In Japan

If you'd prefer something savory though, then just head to any of the yatai, or food stalls, found at your nearest festival - there you can choose from a wide array of B-kyu gurume delights, like yakitori, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and more! They go great with a refreshing bottle of ramune too!

Touch

From: Yukata - A Basic Guide To Wearing The Summer Kimono

The feeling of soft, breathable cotton on your skin is ideal during the hot, sweaty days of summer - which is why I strongly encourage everyone to try wearing a yukata at least once during this season! While kimono are made of thicker fabric and require layers of undergarments, yukata don't need a special liner, so you can feel at ease when you wear one. Yukata come in numerous different colors and patterns for both men and women, so by all means, please try wearing one when you see a fireworks festival.

Now that you've learned about these key points to summer in Japan, be sure to experience them with your own senses when you visit - you won't forget them!