Japanese Seasons and Festivals: Words, Events and Greetings
Japanese life runs on the seasons. Food, greetings, decorations and small talk all change through the year, and festivals fill the calendar from New Year to the autumn harvest. Knowing the words for the seasons and their events gives you instant conversation topics, and helps you choose when to visit. Here is a season-by-season guide with the Japanese you’ll hear.
Talking about the weather and seasons
The seasons are a favourite topic of small talk in Japan, a little like the weather in the UK. These phrases work almost any time:
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 暑いですね | atsui desu ne | It’s hot, isn’t it? |
| 寒くなりましたね | samuku narimashita ne | It’s got cold, hasn’t it? |
| いい天気ですね | ii tenki desu ne | Lovely weather, isn’t it? |
| もうすぐ桜ですね | mō sugu sakura desu ne | Cherry blossom season is almost here |
| 季節の変わり目ですね | kisetsu no kawarime desu ne | The seasons are changing (often said with “take care of yourself”) |
The ね at the end invites agreement, so the natural reply is often just そうですね (“yes, it is”).
Spring (春, haru)
- Cherry blossom viewing (花見, hanami): picnics under the cherry trees with friends or colleagues. Blossom dates vary by region and year, so check the forecasts (開花予想, kaika yosō) if you’re planning a trip.
- A new start: in Japan the school year and many company years begin in April, so spring is full of entrance ceremonies (入学式) and new employees.
- Golden Week: a cluster of public holidays around the end of April and start of May, when many people travel and transport is busy.
Summer (夏, natsu)
- The rainy season (梅雨, tsuyu) comes first in most of Japan, followed by hot, humid weather.
- Summer festivals (夏祭り, natsu matsuri): food stalls (屋台, yatai), portable shrines, dancing and people in light cotton kimono (浴衣, yukata).
- Fireworks displays (花火大会, hanabi taikai): huge crowds, so arrive early.
- Obon (お盆): a period in mid-summer when many people return to their family homes to honour their ancestors. Dates differ by region, and travel is busy.
Useful summer words: 熱中症 (netchūshō, heatstroke) and 蒸し暑い (mushiatsui, humid and hot).
Autumn (秋, aki)
- Autumn leaves (紅葉, kōyō or momiji): viewing the red and gold leaves is as popular as cherry blossom viewing.
- Autumn as a season “of” things: people talk about 食欲の秋 (autumn for eating), 読書の秋 (for reading) and スポーツの秋 (for sport).
- Typhoons (台風, taifū) can affect travel in late summer and early autumn. Our guide to Japanese for emergencies covers what to do.
Winter (冬, fuyu)
- Year-end parties (忘年会, bōnenkai), literally “forget-the-year gatherings”, with colleagues or friends.
- New Year (お正月, oshōgatsu): the most important holiday of the year. Many people visit a shrine or temple for the first time in the year (初詣, hatsumōde), eat special food and send New Year cards.
- Winter illuminations and hot springs are popular ways to enjoy the cold season. If you’re planning an onsen trip, see our guide to ryokan and onsen etiquette.
Seasonal greetings
| Japanese | Say it | When |
|---|---|---|
| よいお年を | yoi otoshi o | When you part before New Year: “Have a good New Year.” |
| あけましておめでとうございます | akemashite omedetō gozaimasu | After New Year: “Happy New Year.” |
| 今年もよろしくお願いします | kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu | Often follows the above: “I look forward to another year with you.” |
| 暑中お見舞い申し上げます | shochū omimai mōshiagemasu | A summer greeting, mostly in cards: “Wishing you well in the heat.” |
Festival manners
- Carry your rubbish. Public bins can be hard to find, so take a small bag.
- At shrines, follow what others do, and don’t worry about being perfect; staff and locals are usually happy to help visitors.
- Plan for crowds and transport. Trains near big events can be extremely busy before and after.
Seasonal events are a wonderful way to practise Japanese. Learn a few of these words before your trip, and ask a local about their favourite season: it is a question almost everyone in Japan enjoys answering.