So, you’re visiting Japan in summer. Brace yourself. It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s the kind of sticky heat that makes you question why you packed jeans. But here’s the good news: Japan knows how to turn summer into a festival of fireworks, icy treats and adventures that make you forget you’re sweating through your shirt.
Grab your fan, stock up on Pocari Sweat (don’t worry, it’s a sports drink, not actual sweat) and let’s dive into ten summer activities that will make Japan unforgettable.
1. Watch Fireworks Festivals (Hanabi Taikai)
🎆 Fireworks in Japan aren’t just bangs in the sky. They’re art.
Whole cities gather by riversides for hour-long displays that make you go “ooh” and “ahh” like a kid again.
💡 Tip: Bring a picnic mat and snacks. Bonus points for wearing a yukata (summer kimono) to fit right in.
2. Hike Through National Parks
🥾 Japan’s summer greenery is lush and alive.
Head for the Japanese Alps or Nikko for trails that range from gentle walks to sweaty, “why did I do this” climbs.
💡 Tip: Start early in the morning to dodge the midday heat and reward yourself with a cold beer after.
3. Celebrate Obon Festival
🕯️ Obon is a Buddhist tradition honouring ancestors, but it’s also a time of lantern festivals, dancing and summer vibes.
Communities light up rivers with floating lanterns that are pure magic.
💡 Tip: Join a Bon Odori dance. No one cares if you get the steps wrong, it’s all about joining in.
4. Go Beach-Hopping
🏖️ Japan has serious beach game.
Okinawa feels like the Caribbean, while Kanagawa and Chiba offer sandy escapes close to Tokyo.
💡 Tip: Grab a conbini bento, your sunnies and enjoy swimming alongside locals who treat the sea like a summer playground.
5. Chill with Kakigori (Shaved Ice)
🍧 Japan doesn’t do summer without shaved ice mountains drizzled with syrup.
Flavours range from strawberry to matcha to condensed milk heaven.
💡 Tip: Look for kakigori shops with lines. The fluffier the ice, the happier your tastebuds.
6. Watch a Summer Baseball Game
⚾ Baseball in Japan is part sport, part party.
Think cheer squads, trumpets, synchronised chanting and endless beer pouring.
💡 Tip: Join the crowd in singing fight songs for the team. It’s more karaoke than stadium chanting.
7. Explore Summer Festivals (Matsuri)
🥁 Think parades of floats, taiko drums and locals dancing in the streets.
Each region has its own festival and they go all out. Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri has giant illuminated floats that look like manga come alive.
💡 Tip: Matsuri food stalls are the real deal. Takoyaki, yakisoba and chocolate-dipped bananas taste better when eaten in festival chaos.
8. Dive into Okinawa’s Waters
🤿 Coral reefs, turquoise waters and tropical vibes.
Scuba, snorkelling or just bobbing around with a snorkel mask will make you forget mainland humidity.
💡 Tip: Go in July or August when visibility is crystal clear. And yes, the sea turtles really do swim past.
9. Climb Mount Fuji (The Official Season)
🗻 July to September is when Fuji-san officially opens to climbers.
It’s crowded, yes, but catching sunrise at the summit is a bucket-list moment.
💡 Tip: Pack layers. It’s boiling at the base and freezing at the top. Welcome to Japan’s natural air-con.
10. Cool Down in Traditional Gardens
🌿 Japanese gardens in summer are lush, shady and peaceful.
Kyoto’s gardens feel like stepping into a watercolour painting, while Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen is summer elegance at its best.
💡 Tip: Visit in the late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds. Bring insect repellent unless you want to be a mosquito buffet.
✨ Final Summer Thoughts:
Japan in summer is sweaty, yes, but it’s also fireworks, lanterns, festivals and endless bowls of cold noodles and shaved ice. It’s beaches and mountains, traditions and parties, all rolled into a season that feels alive.
So pack light clothes, embrace the humidity and say yes to every festival, food stall and firework show you stumble across. Because Japanese summer is less about keeping cool and more about diving headfirst into the heat and making the memories worth it.
