Umbrellas up as mainland Japan enters muggy, wet tsuyu rain season

an umbrella on the ground and hydrangeas

(Photo by Miyuki Takiguchi)

Are you ready to fend off 40 days of crying skies with an umbrella and raincoat? Ready or not, the rain season in Japan has already started.

While Okinawa, Shikoku, and Kyushu (home to Sasebo Naval Base) have been getting rained on since late May (rain season officially ended in Okinawa on June 8), other regions are just now entering the soggy season.

On June 9, Tokai, Kinki and Chugoku (home to MCAS Iwakuni) officially entered tsuyu (rain) season, three days later than the yearly average, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

The agency said Kanto, Hokuriku and Tohoku regions are expected to enter the season soon. On average, tsuyu season lasts about 40 days and includes high humidity, cloudy days and steady rains.

If you’re looking to skip the soggy weather, Hokkaido Prefecture, the country’s northernmost island, does not have a rain season making it a good vacation spot in the summer months.

The season is considered to the be Japan’s worst, but is still cheerfully referred to as “tsuyu,” or plum rain, as it coincides with the seasonal ripening of the luscious fruit. With temperatures in southern to central Japan in the mid to high 70s (the high 60s farther north), the season does have some beautiful blooms like hydrangeas and irises to help make up for the unpleasant weather. You may also spot “teruterubozu” (sunshine monks) hanging on the eaves of houses in town wishing for a rain-free day.

So, be positive and enjoy the rainy season!