10 Japanese summer traditions to try this year
Summer in Japan starts with a few weeks of rain right after Golden Week. From then on, it gets progressively hotter and more humid. Thankfully, it's not all that bad. Throughout the centuries, Japanese culture has found ways to celebrate each passing season. Each prefecture has its own share of summer festivals, from fireworks to serving up regional specialties to cool you off. While not definitive, here's a quick roundup of 10 Japanese summer traditions you need to try (if you haven't already).
1. Fireworks Festivals
2. Bon Odori
3. Nagashi Somen
4. Yukata
5. Suikawari
6. Beer Gardens
7. Kakigori
8. Sparklers
9. Bug Catching
10. Firefly Watching
1. Fireworks Festivals
See the sky light up in a burst of color.
Even if no one can say for sure when hanabi (fireworks) first came to Japan from China, they've clearly left a lasting impression. Summer in Japan wouldn't be complete without the distant sound of fireworks echoing through the night, thanks to the many festivals held across the country. While fireworks displays exist around the world, in Japan they carry deeper cultural meaning — honoring the ephemeral and celebrating the beauty of nature.
2. Bon Odori
Follow along.
Every August, Japanese people observe Obon, a Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of their ancestors. During this time, families come together and symbolically welcome their departed loved ones back to the world of the living. It can also be a little bit spooky.
One of the most recognizable traditions of Obon is Bon Odori, a folk dance with roots dating back to the late Heian or Kamakura Periods, which became widespread by the 1600s. Each region adds its own flair, but the most common sight is a group of musicians performing atop a yagura (wooden scaffold) while dancers move in a slow circle, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
3. Nagashi Somen
Don't let it slip away.
When you feel like melting but still crave noodles, look for somen (thinly sliced wheat noodles) or better yet, nagashi (flowing) somen. Originating in Kyushu in the mid-1950s, nagashi somen involves catching somen noodles flowing down bamboo pipes. It's a time-honored tradition that's not only meant to bring people together, but also to have them cool off. Once you catch the noodles, simply dunk them in tsuyu (savory dipping sauce).
4. Yukata
Stylish and practical
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