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Nikkei Asia

10 symbols of summer in Japan

Life A guide to the sights, sounds and tastes of the country's most atmospheric season When the weather starts to get steamy in Japan, expected to encounter yukatas (summer kimonos), cold soba noodles and fireworks. (All photos by Stephen Mansfield) STEPHEN MANSFIELD TOKYO -- I count myself among a small number of people -- a baffling minority, in my view -- who welcome the humid Japanese summer. With the exception of the June rains that cast an oppressive pall over the country, I find the season liberating. The summer wardrobe, characterized by light and loose items, signals a more relaxed lifestyle, sociable after-work hours spent in Mediterranean style, quaffing cold beer or sitting at tables sipping chilled wine. I enjoy walking around barefoot at home. When I work in our small garden, I light two mosquito coils at each end of the lawn, their atmospheric wisps of smoke reminiscent of incense.