Summer travel in Japan

Donning light, cotton kimonos called yukata, wooden geta slippers, and beautiful uchiwa fans, the people in Japan gather in the streets at dusk to share a festive moment. It's during the summer months that festivals are most numerous and spectacular. However, summers in Japan are also particularly hot and humid, with temperatures regularly climbing above 30°C (86°F). So it's best to get away from the scorching asphalt of the cities and enjoy the fresh air of the countryside. From the northern mountains of Hokkaido to the rich beaches of the south, all the way to Okinawa, there's always a place to enjoy the season, ice cream in hand!

Read more: Yukata and jimbei

Summer between mountains and seaside resorts

Less than 2 hours away by train, the Izu Peninsula and the 5 Lakes region offer spectacular scenery at the foot of Mount Fuji. Take a deep dive and look into these popular summer destinations!

Izu Peninsula

Last but not least, the best way to admire this volcanic coastline is to take the short cruise from Dogashima, which also leads to a little-known sea cave with an enchanting light. You can also visit Toi's former gold mines, where you'll find the world's largest gold ingot, weighing in at 250 kilos!

• Read more: The Izu Craile Train

Around Mount Fuji

Situated between Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, the 5 Lakes Region offers a charming array of natural sites. Featuring one of the finest views of Mount Fuji in the country, the lake-surrounded towns of Hakone, Fujigoko, and Kawaguchiko are must-sees for walkers. With bike paths all around the lakes, hiking trails overlooking the valley, or boats floating peacefully, there are a myriad of ways to enjoy the region and admire Mount Fuji!

Also read: Views of Mount Fuji: 5 places to see it best

• Also read: The best walks in Hakone

The official hiking trails are only open for two months of the year for the general public, from July to August, so it's often a case of climbing in single file. Mount Fuji fascinates both at the foot and at the summit, where the enchanting panorama unfolds with every step.

Want to find out more about climbing Mount Fuji? 

Japan Experience has done it! Follow us on our adventure to Japan's highest peak, with all the advice you need!

• Read more: Climbing Mount Fuji

Matsuri and Hanabi, the festivals that define summer

Matsuri, the traditional festivals of Japan

On the menu for summer matsuri: religious processions, fireworks, and yukata (light kimono typically made from cotton). Traditional festivals are very important moments for the Japanese and provide a good opportunity to get together with family and friends. Matsuri often have religious origins and themes but are also simply an opportunity to have fun, watch fireworks or sample food from the many stalls. Summer and its climate are, of course, very conducive to these outdoor festivities. Here are some of the archipelago's most famous matsuri and traditional summer festivals!

• Find out more: Discover Japanese events and festivals

• Discover also: Summer music festivals in Japan

Hanabi: Fireworks in Japan

Summer in Japan wouldn't be complete without its famous firework displays, known as hanabi taikai in Japanese. With hundreds of festivals from north to south, summer fireworks are a veritable institution in Japan. Meaning "flowers of fire" (hanabi), they explode in the sky and are reflected in the night waters, watched by a compact crowd. These fireworks are renowned for their colorful and impressive displays. Every year, the fireworks engineers take up the challenge of dazzling spectators even more.

Combined with the mildness of the season and the relaxed atmosphere that accompanies them, hanabi are an unmissable ritual of the Japanese summer. Spectators love to don their yukata, as they do during the matsuri, and stroll through the streets filled with food stalls and games for young and old alike.

Summer foods in Japan

Summer in Japan is hot. Very hot! While indoors the many air-conditioning units offer a moment's respite, outside it's sometimes hard to find a shady spot. Fortunately, a few sweet treats can add a touch of freshness to your stay: watermelons and Japanese peaches are the season's great favorites! More than a simple refreshment, watermelons are an inseparable part of Japanese summer, and suika wari are a regular feature on the beaches. This is a family ritual in which a watermelon is hit, blindfolded, with a baseball bat until it breaks and can be eaten. Japanese peaches, called momo in Japanese, are another of Japan's little gems. 

Particularly large, with juicy white flesh, peaches are associated with positive symbols such as good fortune, health and longevity. They are sometimes given as gifts to express wishes for prosperity and happiness. In addition to these fruity classics, here are two refreshing specialties to enjoy in summer!

• Also read: Summer gastronomy

Kakigori: Japanese shaved ice

What could be nicer than shaved ice under the blazing sun? 
Once a dessert reserved for Japan's elite, the records of kakigori date back to the Heian period (794-1185). Japan had already grasped the importance of enjoying ice-based treats in summer to ward off the archipelago's heat. Today, kakigori has become a popular and inexpensive product that can be made at home. Kakigori is a dish comprised of finely shaved ice with a sweet syrup topping with a texture similar to freshly fallen snow, which melts under the palate. These delicate ice creams are then molded into the shape of a small mountain and topped with the syrup of your choice. Among the most popular flavors are cherry, blueberry, lemon, green tea and melon... It is then accompanied by toppings such as fresh fruit, red bean paste, azuki, or mochi, small sticky rice cakes.