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What is the most peaceful season in Japan?
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Dear Reader, I went to go picking tulips today— something that I was looking forward to for weeks— and I was feeling kind of bummed when I realized it was going to rain all morning. On my way to the tulip farm I was staring out the car window thinking about the mud and how my pictures were going to turn out grayish. But when I got there and exited my car, I realized the rain may have been a gift. While some people might think the rainy season evokes feelings of gloom, it actually carries my most peaceful and quiet memories for me. The popular travel destinations are much less crowded, and the streets are less rowdy — a grace period after cherry blossom season and before the onset of summer vacationers, the weather seemingly slows down everything. If you visit the mountains in Japan during this time, nature also takes on a different, beautiful form. The humidity and rain allow the moss to thicken and turn a brighter green, covering the tree bark and forest floor in a luscious, soft carpet. The mornings are misty and the nights are relaxing, with nothing but the sound of rain falling and crickets chirping. Rainy season in Japanese is called “tsuyu,” written as 梅雨. The first kanji 「梅」reads “plum” in Japanese, while the second kanji 「雨」reads "rain". For the Kanto region, it takes place from the beginning of June to the end of July and is a major indicator of the changing seasons. 「梅」ume = “plum” 「雨」ame = "rain" 「梅雨」tsuyu = "rainy season" It’s called tsuyu because the rainy season in Japan coincides with the plum ripening season. If you visited a supermarket or fruit stall in Japan during this time, you’d begin to see big plastic jars for making umeshu (sweet plum wine) or homemade umeboshi (pickled plum). While both of these things are available year-round, they are much more popular this time of the season, often offered as a seasonal drink at restaurants or used as rice toppings in bento boxes. Rainy season for more peaceful days While not everything needs to have a silver lining, I did find that the rain caused for quieter, slower crowds and a nice peaceful atmosphere at the tulip farm. In addition, the rain drops on the flowers were beautiful! When the weather gets warmer and sunnier, we tend to get busier. Summer vacations, school graduations, family get-togethers, and other exciting events tend to take place (especially for us northern hemisphere folks). So before you get too busy, take this time to enjoy the slowness and peace. You may be longing for it in a few weeks' time. Do you find slowing down is important to you? Why or why not? Warmly, Kaki Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, please forward this email to your friends and family (or share the article) 🌱 If this email was forwarded to you, it's nice to meet you 😊
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Hi, I'm Kaki!
I teach about health inspired by simple Japanese philosophies and lifestyle practices, so you can learn to find peace, fulfillment, strength, and health in your own body. Sign up for my newsletter to receive all my writing and exclusive resources!
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