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Japan through the seasons Cherry blossom in Ueno Park, Tokyo Ask any Japanese person to tell you a few facts about their country and they will invariably mention the dramatic contrasts of their four seasons. There really is something very special about the changing of these, especially for those of us used to Britain’s less distinct ones. Japan is resplendent throughout the year, proudly showing off the changes in each passing season like a peacock fanning its feathers. Although each season has its draws, it is spring and the ephemeral cherry blossom that brings visitors flooding to Japan every year. Young girls in kimono during spring festival Rice farmer, Tohoku Spring There is a phrase in Japanese, sakura zensen, meaning cherry blossom front, which describes the blossom’s movement from the tip of the Okinawa in early February all the way to the most northerly cape of Hokkaido by the end of May. The peak viewing time in Kyoto and Tokyo is from the end of March through to the middle of April. To spend a lazy afternoon wandering through Tokyo’s Ueno Park or Kyoto’s Maruyama Park is to truly understand just how much, and why, the Japanese love this delicate and transient flower. Spring temperatures range from the decidedly chilly to warm and pleasant, with showers common throughout March and into April. Summer In the summer months of June, July and August, the air becomes stickier and heavy and the temperatures move steadily towards the upper twenties. Japan’s rainy season typically occurs in late June and July on the mainland and with it comes humidity of more than 80 percent, with temperatures nudging 40C on some days. Although not typically one of the most popular seasons for travel to Japan, there is something exotic about the Japanese summer months. This really feels like the Far East as one would expect it; the constant chirping of cicadas, the croaking of frogs from lush green paddy fields, and glorious sunshine. It is possible to escape the heat and humidity by heading for Japan’s mountains or coast, so you need not melt in the cities. Summer also brings with it a host of colourful local festivals, particularly in the cooler Tohoku region. The festivals are superb occasions to be a part of, passing in a whirl of dancing, music and beautiful traditional costumes. 28
Autumn foliage at Daikozenji temple, Kyushu Autumn By September, temperatures start to cool but the sun continues to shine, making this a good time of year to visit. The subtle red and gold hues of the autumn colours start to appear in Hokkaido in late September and then travel south to Kyoto and Tokyo by mid November. Autumn is a glorious time to be in Japan as the countryside blazes with the fiery reds and dazzling oranges of the turning leaves of the indigenous momiji maple tree. The climate is temperate and dry and since the colours cover great swathes of the mainland there are plenty of opportunities to take in the beauty, either while hiking through the Japan Alps or strolling through the quiet back streets of Kyoto or on Miyajima Island. Walking a section of the Nakasendo Highway, the ancient road between Kyoto and Tokyo, at this time of year highlights the particularly beautiful woodland scenery of the Kiso Valley. Winter Winter in Hokkaido stretches from late October through to March and the Siberian fronts bring icy cold winds and heavy snowfall. On the mainland, the winter months are December, January and February, with snowfall in Tohoku and the Alps region but a relatively mild climate in Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku and Kyushu islands. Crisp air, clear blue skies and dry weather mean that winter shouldn’t be a barrier to travel in Japan. Even in Hokkaido there is plenty to do during the coldest months, from birdwatching in Kushiro and Sapporo’s Snow festival in February to world-class skiing in Niseko and Furano until April or May. January sees the New Year, or O-shogatsu, the biggest holiday in the Japanese calendar; celebrating the coming of the new year with thousands of people at Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu shrine is a remarkable experience. From snowy castle landscapes and glittering lamp-lit shrines in the dark evenings to warm sake and piping hot bowls of ramen in bustling restaurants, Japan takes on a different, more excitable air in the winter. When it snows there really is nothing better than sitting in a rotemburo hot spring bath as the flakes land softly on your head and steam rises all around you. Snowy pagoda, Kyoto www.audleytravel.com/japan ● 01993 838 210 ● Seasons 29
Page 1 and 2: J APAN TAILOR- MADE J OURNEYS FOR T
Page 3 and 4: Introducing Audley After developing
Page 5 and 6: Nebuta festival float, Aomori Rail
Page 7 and 8: Audley in Central Japan 3 2 7 9 4 5
Page 9 and 10: Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Sake casks,
Page 11 and 12: Hida Folk Village, near Takayama Ch
Page 13 and 14: Onsen bathing Traditional onsen, Ak
Page 15 and 16: Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Kyoto S
Page 17 and 18: Owner of Yoshikawa traditional inn,
Page 19 and 20: Suggested itineraries Kanazawa Taka
Page 21 and 22: Food display outside izakaya restau
Page 23 and 24: Audley in Northern Japan 2 3 2 1 4
Page 25 and 26: Wintersports Some of the world’s
Page 27: Suggested itineraries Tailoring you
Page 31 and 32: Audley in Southern Japan Awa Odori
Page 33 and 34: Suizenji Gardens, Kumamoto Harvesti
Page 35 and 36: Useful information Tohoku autumn co

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