Summer

Climbing Mount Fuji (Fuji-san, 3,776m) is on countless travelers’ bucket lists — and summer is the only time most people can do it. The official climbing season runs from early July to early September, when the trails, mountain huts, and facilities are open. Here’s what a first-timer needs to know. ⚠️ Rules, fees, and reservation systems for Mt. Fuji have changed in recent years and may change again. Always check the official prefectural climbing websites before you go. ...

If you’re visiting Japan between late June and September, prepare for heat and humidity that can catch first-time visitors off guard. Daytime temperatures regularly hit 33–37°C (91–99°F), and the humidity makes it feel even hotter. The good news: Japan is extremely well-equipped for summer, and with a few local habits you can stay comfortable and safe. Understanding Japan’s Summer Japan’s summer arrives in two phases. First comes tsuyu (the rainy season) in June, then the 真夏 (midsummer) heat from mid-July through August. The combination of high temperature and high humidity is what makes it tough — your sweat doesn’t evaporate easily, so your body struggles to cool down. ...

If you visit Japan between July and August, do not miss a hanabi taikai (花火大会) — a summer fireworks festival. These are not the 15-minute displays you might know from home. Japanese fireworks festivals launch tens of thousands of shells over one or two hours, drawing crowds of hundreds of thousands. It’s one of the most quintessentially Japanese experiences you can have. What Makes Japanese Fireworks Different Japan treats fireworks as a refined art form. Pyrotechnicians compete to create the most perfect starmine bursts and giant shakudama shells that bloom in concentric, color-changing circles. ...