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Looking above the clouds on Mt. Fuji, courtesy of Cyndi Waite
Japan attracts over 8 million tourists every year, the majority of them during the spring and fall months. During the summer, tourism substantially drops. Tourists see the summer months in Japan as hot and humid and hardly worthy of a prime time summer destination. However, some of Japan’s most noteworthy activities and sights take place between June – August. If you have checked Japan off your summer vacation list, consider putting it back in the running. Here are some of the highlights of visiting Japan in the summer.
Best time to climb Mt. Fuji
The famed snow-capped peaks of Mt. Fuji can only be seen first-hand in the summer months. The mountain can be treacherous during colder times of the year, limiting the season to a two-month span of July and August. Although Mt. Fuji (or “Fuji-san”) is the most climbed mountain in the world, don’t let that trick you into thinking it’s easy. At 3,776 meters high, Fuji will test your stamina and endurance. The traditional way to climb the mountain is to start at sunset and climb overnight to see the sunrise at the top. If you prefer to sleep overnight and finish your climb
before dawn, there are huts on Station 8, one station before the top. There you will also find hot ramen soup, tea, water, and other snacks.
Fireworks
Called “hanabi” in Japanese, fireworks are a mainstay of a Japanese summer. From children playing with sparklers on arbitrary stretches of beach to awe-inspiring light show displays, the Japanese celebrate the season with fireworks. Nearly any city you visit will have a summer fireworks festival. Be sure to try the street food before you find a spot to watch the sparks fly.
Beaches
No matter where you are in Japan, you aren’t far from a beach. If you’re visiting Japan in the summer, plan to spend a few days in Okinawa, where the subtropical temperatures, island culture, white sand beaches, and turquoise water will make you feel like you discovered paradise. Take a short ferry from Naha, the capital city of Okinawa, to the Kerama Islands, for a truly unique and beautiful beach vacation.
Festivals
Japan knows how to host a street party, and several major Japanese festivals take place during the summer months. In Osaka, the Summer Sonic Music Festival attracts thousands of enthusiastic fans for some of the biggest names in music, along with up-and-coming artists. Another music festival, Fuji Rock, takes place in July in Niigata prefecture. If a crowded outdoor concert isn’t your idea of a good time, visit smaller cities throughout the country, all of which host small street festivals every summer.
-contributed by Cyndi Waite
