Japan’s Seasons and the Spirit of Celebration

Owara Kaze no Bon

The heat has lingered recently, far from what we would call autumn. Yet in Japan, people often say “according to the calendar”—a phrase that refers to the traditional seasonal divisions based on the 24 sekki, a system introduced from China. While a year is normally counted in 12 months like any regular calendar, people long ago developed the 24 sekki to perceive the subtle changes of the seasons more finely. Originally created in China, this system divides the year according to the sun’s movement into four main seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and then further divides each season into six smaller periods. In Japan, this calendar has been valued since ancient times, adopted in agriculture and daily life as a “seasonal calendar.”

Some key dates include:

Risshun (Beginning of Spring) – Around early February, the start of spring according to the calendar.

Geshi (Summer Solstice) – Around late June, the longest day of the year.

Risshū (Beginning of Autumn) – Around early August, when autumn begins according to the calendar.

Tōji (Winter Solstice) – Around late December, the longest night of the year.

So even in August, when the heat still lingers and we speak of zansho (late summer heat), technically, it is already autumn according to the calendar. Unconsciously, people notice subtle changes in the environment—the cooler mornings, the softer evening light—and sense a hint of autumn even in the midst of summer.

Try to notice the gentle changes that each sekki brings. For instance, in early autumn, the morning air feels slightly cooler, and the afternoon sunlight shines soft and golden. Traveling while observing such delicate shifts allows you to imprint each fleeting moment in your heart.

Japan’s festivals and seasonal events exist to celebrate these very moments. We call them “medetai”—times full of joy, brightness, and a sense that life itself is blessed. Lanterns swaying on an autumn evening, the distant beat of taiko drums, sunlight filtering through leaves turning red for the first time—these are moments when the season speaks to us.

If you wish to experience these medetai moments on your journey in Japan, I recommend including some of the country’s unique local festivals in your itinerary. For example, Owara Kaze no Bon in Toyama Prefecture: dancers, wearing conical hats pulled low, move through the streets to the melancholic melodies of the Etchu Owara Bushi, accompanied by shamisen, kokyū, and drum sounds, transporting you to a beautifully nostalgic time. You might also feel the thrilling energy of the Kishiwada or Kinosaki Danjiri Festival. Each festival reflects the local history, culture, and spirit of celebration, offering experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.

Of course, you can also enjoy such festivals in Tokyo. I recently went to see the Awa Odori in Koenji, where each group, called a ren, performs dances with their own unique style to live music, creating a wild, energetic atmosphere that fills the heart with power.

If you are considering traveling to Japan, why not make your journey a way to feel the rhythm of the seasons with all your senses? By encountering not only the sights but also Japan’s unique sense of seasonal awareness through festivals and rituals, each moment of your trip c

an become a medetai moment—bright, joyful, and unforgettable.

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