Unique Japanese Ways to Enjoy and Spend the Summer

When it comes to the symbols of summer, the first thing that comes to mind for the Japanese is likely the "summer festival". It's said that there are around 300,000 summer festivals held in Japan, and as summer starts you can catch many of them kicking off both big and small across the country. At a festival you’ll find people in yukata (summer kimonos), eating takoyaki and okonomiyaki at food stalls, fireworks, and droves of people dancing the Bon Odori (traditional summer dance). Each festival is uniquely colorful and different from the next, and be known to bring its own draw and flare even if the same event is held just in a different region. To break it all down for you, here’s a deep dive into all the fuss behind summer festivals and how you can enjoy them.

Just like the Bon Odori dances, bonfire are another quintessential element you can expect during the Bon season. Fires are lit in a ceremonial welcome the spirits as they return to our world, and one more at the of the season to bid their spirits farewell again. In Kyoto, the Gozan Okuribi event is one unique day when the characters “Dai” and “Myo” are lit on the mountainside, lighting up the night in a spectacle like non-other. If you are in the Kyoto area during this season we highly recommend swinging by for this unforgettable event.

As an island nation surrounded by the sea, many Japanese people head to the sea when summer comes. There are plenty of spots where you can enjoy activities like surfing and snorkeling, but one of the unique ways Japanese people enjoy is through a game called "watermelon splitting". This game involves placing a watermelon on a picnic sheet and having a blindfolded person try to split the watermelon with a stick, guided only by the voices of those around them. Try splitting a watermelon during a break from sea bathing, and then share the broken watermelon with everyone. Many Japanese people also enjoy handheld fireworks when the sun sets. If you go to the beach, be sure to try these uniquely Japanese ways of enjoying yourself.

With the summer months comes the opening of beer gardens, rooftop venues above shopping complexes serving up tasty bites, beer, and iconic Japanese vibes.
You’ll find that many of the locals here head to beer gardens in the evenings and night as a chance to mingle with colleagues and friends when the temperatures have dropped at the end of a hot day.
To top off a day of sightseeing, swinging by a Japanese beer garden may be the perfect way to erase the fatigue of the day.

Sparklers, or handheld fireworks, burn for just a few moments before they finally extinguish. They’re a fleeting type of firework that are quick to give out with even a little shake.
Sparklers are said to burst in four different stages, the fleeting light which is said to mimic the four stages of change in a person’s life.
Many locals see this fleeting beauty and reminisce about the coming end of another special season, especially as the summer days fade into fall. If traveling in Japan, setting of a few sparklers in your final days maybe the perfect way to commemorate your trip before it comes to an end.

Watermelon is a mainstay symbol of summer in Japan.
Historically, the treat was enjoyed by one and all during the Edo period. In addition to its high water content, the fruit’s jam-packed minerals and vitamins make it a popular choice for rehydrating, as important as eating ones veggies in summer.
To beat the heat, try eating watermelon in Japanese summer.

Somen noodles are a refreshing treat that are easy to eat, even on days where the blistering heat may try to steal your appetite. These chilled boiled noodles are dipped in a refreshing broth that’s easy to eat and even easier to dress with all your favorite toppings.
Nagashi Somen is one special summer classic, where the somen noodles are sent down a water slide of a half-opened bamboo stalk.
If you’re really feeling the heat, try a bowl of somen to perk right back up.

In Japan, there is a long-standing custom of eating "unagi" (eel), which is rich in nutrients, to relieve the worst of summer heatstroke. In particular, the two days known as Doyo no Ushi no Hi are culturally known as they days to eat eel, although many locals enjoy the delicious bite throughout the summer. If you’re looking for an extra-energetic boost at the top of your travels, why not try giving eel a try?

Ramune is a lemon-flavored soda in a bottle. The mouth of the bottle is closed off with a marble, which you then have to push down into the drink to open it up. While it requires a little extra elbow grease, the marble adds an element of fun and games. You can find the drink at popup food stalls as a fun summer classic that the locals often enjoy.

One of the coolest ways to enjoy the sweltering summer is with outdoor seating by the river, or “Kawadoko” in Japanese. This custom got its start in Kyoto, with the famous Kamogawa Noryoyuka where seasonal-limited summer seating was set up along the Kamo River, and from Kifune Kawadoko, where the water surface is so close you can dip your feet.
With Kawadoko you can enjoy the best of Kyoto cuisine, all while taking in the view out over the ebbing river, cool breeze and ultimate sense of “cool”.

Japanese “furin” windchimes are often found hanging from home verandas. The bowl-shaped bells are typically made of glass or metal, with a “tongue” piece that holds a strip of wind-catching paper on its string-suspended middle.
The paper acts like a sail, catching the breeze and gently chiming against the side in a ring that sounds the incoming cool.
Many say that the very sound of the wind chime sounds like a cool breeze coming, which has been proven in experiments as a type of conditioning that triggers lower body temperatures. Many of the furin chimes are made with traditional techniques, make them a perfect little souvenir.

'Uchimizu' is the practice of sprinkling water around roads and houses. As the water evaporates, it takes away the heat from the surroundings using a phenomenon called 'evaporative cooling', actually lowering the surrounding temperature.
This practice has been carried out in Japan since the Warring States Period, and was not only a way to cool off but also seen as a form of etiquette. In modern Japan, it is gaining attention as an eco-friendly measure against the heat.

'Kakigori', a dessert made of finely shaved ice topped with syrup, is loved by the Japanese and often seen at stalls during summer festivals. Unlike the fluffy texture of Taiwanese shaved ice, Japanese kakigori is characterized by its crunchy texture. Besides syrup, it can also be topped with condensed milk or azuki beans, offering a variety of variations. Recently, with its growing popularity, there are more and more shops specializing in kakigori.

'Kaidan', or ghost stories, are one of Japan's summer thrills. One unique custom in Japan is to listen to chilling stories during the hot days to usher in a sense of cool. Since the Edo period, there was already a popular event called 'Hyaku Monogatari', where people would gather around 100 candles and tell ghost stories, extinguishing one candle after each story. Even today, there are many talk events where you can listen to ghost stories and events themed around horror in Japan during the summer. While these events maybe a little harder to come by, you definitely should try and enjoy a skin-crawling chill if you get the chance!

As mosquitoes are no stranger to summer in Japan, the tradition of burning mosquito coils, a type of insecticide-baring incense has become a mainstay. The scent of the incense itself has even become a symbol of summer. For some extra retro vibes, pick up some mosquito incense and a retro burning case to bring home the scent of summer in Japan.

Dating back to the Edo period, 'uchiwa' fans are waved by hand to create a breeze and cool down, and are still commonly used today. There are various shapes and designs, making them enjoyable just to look at. Traditional fans such as 'Edo Uchiwa' and 'Boshu Uchiwa', with their old-fashioned techniques and designs, are perfect for souvenirs.

'Edo Kiriko' is a cut glass technique that hails from Tokyo since the end of the Edo period. Today it’s celebrated as a traditional craft. Cups with the beautiful and unique 'Edo Kiriko' design give off an extra cool look and feel, making them a perfect momento for any summer travels. With a variety of patterns available, finding a design that fits your taste is a personalized way to enjoy the season.