(Photo by Miyuki Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
Are you ready to fend off 40 days of crying skies with an umbrella and raincoat? Well, you better be!
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced June 7 that the Kanto, Tokai, Yamanashi and Nagano regions officially entered the rainy season. These regions entered the rainy season 16 days later than last year.
Northern Kyushu (where Sasebo calls home), along with Chugoku (where Iwakuni calls home) regions got in the rainy season on June 4, and Okinawa has been in the rainy season since May 4, according to the agency. Most of Japan is now looking at 40-days of hot, humid and mold.
Keep in mind for future trip planning that the northernmost mainland of Hokkaido is not affected by the rainy season and is a good option to avoid the droplets and stifling humidity.
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(Photo by Miyuki Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
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(Photo by Miyuki Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
The rainy season is considered the worst season in Japan, but it is 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), you can check out beautiful blossoms of Hydrangea and Iris in full bloom across the country. And you may be able to spot a cute white “teruterubozu” (sunshine monks) hanging on the eaves of houses in town.
So, be positive and enjoy the rainy season to the best of your ability.
