Written by Guest Blogger Kamsin Kaneko
Summer in Japan: 2018 Bucket List
When I first moved to Japan the Japanese summer was a massive shock to my system. I’m from the UK. We have one whole day of warm weather a year if we’re lucky. Summer in Japan was something to be escaped or endured. But after many summers here, I’m finally learning to love the Japanese summer for what it is. Hot, humid and full of fun things to do!
It is essential to know how to thrive during the summer months. 1. Carry a hand towel to wipe away sweat. 2. Stock up on deodorant from home. 3. Carry a fan. 4. Stay out of the sun in the middle of the day. 5. Wear Uniqlo’s Airism (or similar) to help keep sweat away from your body and your outer layer of clothes. (As a Brit adding an extra layer in the heat made no sense at first.) 5. Drink lots of water. 6. Come to terms with your sweat and get used to feeling a bit sticky. 7. Adopt a spirit of fun and adventure.
Create Your Summer Memories
I’m on a mission to live mindfully and make creative choices in all I do. There was a time I might have spent summer in Japan wishing for cooler weather. But I’d much rather embrace the summer for what it is, and there’s lots of fun waiting for you in Japan!
Note: my son is four years old which that gives me a little more flexibility to get around than when he was smaller. He does better with flexible with bedtimes now too. If your kids are smaller the key to enjoying your summer will be keeping your expectations in check. And planning for all eventualities, but you knew that already.
At age four there’s a good chance my son will remember events from this summer too. Creating memories for all of us gives the summer a mission for our family to enjoy.
My Top Ten things to do this Summer:
1) Make a wish on a Tanabata Tree. Tanabata is a seasonal festival which takes place on July 7th. It celebrates star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi. If you don’t know the story: Google.
Department stores and other public locations put up bamboo shoots from which to hang your wishes. Children write their wish on long strips of paper. Paper and pens should be on hand. My son’s wish is to be Kamen Rider Build.
2) Attend a local festival. There are many big and well-known festivals all over Japan. But most local shrines have their own festivals too. It can be fun to wander around the streets in summer as there is a high chance you’ll run into folk carrying a mikoshi. You’re also likely to see children in yukata and jinbei. They may be carrying bags of goldfish or sweets they won at a local festival.
My son’s yochien has a festival in early July. There’ll be stalls selling street food, like corn on the cob and baked potatoes and watermelon. There are many small events like this, so you should be able to find one near you.
3) Attend a bon dance. August is Obon season. Most shrines have a Bon Odori. Japanese lanterns are strung up, and there is street food and games to enjoy too. The dance itself usually happens after dark. Old ladies dance on a raised platform. Spectators typically join in too.
4) Eat shaved ice or kakigori. Don’t get brain freeze. This one can be enjoyed multiple times.
5) Fireworks! The huge festivals in Tokyo are best enjoyed on TV if you have small kids. The crowds are crazy and it can take approximately two weeks to walk back to the local station. There are smaller, local festivals you can enjoy too. The trick is to head out early with a picnic mat or chairs to reserve your spot. Enjoy an evening picnic before the fireworks start. The fireworks are free.
On my bucket list is to buy our own fireworks and enjoy lighting them in the local park. Daiso and your local supermarket sell them. I haven’t done this in years. My son is going to love it.
6) Wear a yukata or jinbei and dress your kids up in them too. A second hand shop is great place to pick them up especially for kids. They may only get worn once or twice, but the bright colours add to the sense of fun in summer.
7) Eat nagashi-somen. Somen noodles are great eaten on hot summer days. And they’re extra fun when you have to catch them from a bamboo shoot with your chopsticks. This is another thing I haven’t done this in years. But something else my son will get a kick out of so it’s going on 2018’s bucket list.
8) Smash a watermelon. This is one I’ve never done before. People smash watermelons often at the beach. Don’t ask me why, but it looks like fun. Yet again I have the small boy in mind here.
9) While away some hours at a roof-top beer garden. Many department stores and shopping malls open up their roof in summer. Enjoy beer and yakiniku, while soaking up the summer vibes.
10) Get out of town for a barbecue. There are lots of great barbecue spots by the sea or in the mountains. If you don’t own your own grill you can hire one and order the meat or bring your own. We’re in Yokohama so we’ll be heading to Yokohama Marina one weekend to bbq some meat.
Bonus items for Yokohama folk:
11) See how many times we can enjoy the water fountains in front of Yokohama Art Gallery. Remember to take a towel and change of clothes.
12) Sip mocktails (or the real thing) at the Red Brick Building Beach. Every year a fake beach in construction between the two Red Brick Warehouses. It’s different every year but there’s always a bar and sand for little ones to play in.
13) Enjoy the Pikachu Outbreak. This has become an annual event. It takes Japanese weirdness/ cuteness to a whole new level. Hundreds of Pikachu take over the city with parades, dances and all sorts of weirdness.
And if we don’t get to all of these things, there’s always next year!
How about you? Are you ready to enjoy summer 2018 in Japan?
Kamsin is a long term Japan resident, a writer, a mama and creativist. She blogs about overcoming blocks, stepping into your creativity and living a heart-centred life here: https://www.kamsinkaneko.com You can also find her on Instagram here.
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A teeny message from The Tokyo Chapter
If you enjoyed reading Kamsin’s bucket list for Summer you may also like to read my Summer suggestions made with just adults in mind.
Also for more Yokohama suggestions (for any season) see my Yokohama with kids suggestions.
Would you also like to guest post for The Tokyo Chapter? Please send me an email at contactjoatthetokyochapter@gmail.com
