When asked how many seasons Japan has, most people confidently answer “four.” Indeed, like many temperate countries, Japan experiences a clear cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Yet anyone who has lived in or studied Japan closely knows that this answer only scratches the surface. In reality, Japan possesses not just four, but at least five or even six distinct seasonal periods, each with its own weather, cultural rituals, and aesthetic appreciation. This essay argues that while the four astronomical seasons exist, Japan’s unique climate and traditions give rise to additional “micro-seasons,” most notably the early summer rainy season ( tsuyu ), which functions as a fully recognized fifth season.
However, between spring and summer lies a period often overlooked by outsiders: tsuyu (梅雨, “plum rain”), typically lasting from early June to mid-July. This stretch of nearly constant rain, high humidity, and grey skies is meteorologically and culturally distinct. It lacks the warmth of summer or the breeziness of spring. The Japanese recognize it with specific customs: hanging teru teru bōzu dolls for good weather, eating ame (rain-themed sweets), and celebrating the blooming of hydrangeas ( ajisai ), which thrive in dampness. Moreover, tsuyu is not merely a transition; it is forecasted, named, and anticipated as a season of its own. Many Japanese people would agree that the rainy season feels fundamentally different from spring or summer, effectively acting as a fifth season. how many seasons does japan have
Beyond tsuyu , some argue for even more divisions. For instance, shun (旬) in Japanese cuisine refers to the brief peak period of an ingredient’s flavor, such as takenoko (bamboo shoots) for only a few weeks in early spring. Meteorologically, Japan also experiences akisame (autumn rains) and kan (the depth of winter cold), which some locals treat as sub-seasons. Traditional calendars, such as the 24 sekki (24 solar terms) imported from China and refined in Japan, break the year into 24 or even 72 micro-seasons—for example, “the first peach blossoms” or “the first frost.” These reflect a deep cultural sensitivity to nature’s smallest shifts. When asked how many seasons Japan has, most
Beyond Four: The Layered Seasons of Japan This essay argues that while the four astronomical
