In my constant search for all things related to travelling in Japan, I discovered that unlike the traditional four seasons which the western world uses to divide their calendar, Japan celebrates 72 different “micro-seasons”. These micro-seasons each are given a wonderfully descriptive name which paints a perfect picture of those little moments throughout the year.
The divisions originated from the Chinese calendar, which in itself has 24 major categories, starting in Springs in early February. But in Japan, these 24 groups split once more into five-day divisions which, unlike the Chinese calendar, match up more locally with the climate in Japan. These sections were written in 1685 by the astronomer, Shibukawa Shunkai, who presents a poetic journey through life in Japan through their seasons.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, this micro-season calendar is an excellent way to determine when you might want to visit to discover these incredible, natural wonders to explore for yourself.
- 立春 Risshun (Beginning of spring)
- 雨水 Usui (Rainwater)
- 啓蟄 Keichitsu (Insects awaken)
- 春分 Shunbun (Spring equinox)
- 清明 Seimei (Pure and clear)
- 穀雨 Kokuu (Grain rains)
- 立夏 Rikka (Beginning of summer)
- 小満 Shōman (Lesser ripening)
- 芒種 Bōshu (Grain beards and seeds)
- 夏至 Geshi (Summer solstice)
- 小暑 Shōsho (Lesser heat)
- 大暑 Taisho (Greater heat)
- 立秋 Risshū (Beginning of autumn)
- 処暑 Shosho (Manageable heat)
- 白露 Hakuro (White dew)
- 秋分 Shūbun (Autumn equinox)
- 寒露 Kanro (Cold dew)
- 霜降 Sōkō (Frost falls)
- 立冬 Rittō (Beginning of winter)
- 小雪 Shōsetsu (Lesser snow)
- 大雪 Taisetsu (Greater snow)
- 冬至 Tōji (Winter solstice)
- 小寒 Shōkan (Lesser cold)
- 大寒 Daikan (Greater cold)
立春 Risshun (Beginning of spring)
February 4–8東風解凍
Harukaze kōri o toku East wind melts the ice
February 9–13黄鶯睍睆
Kōō kenkan su Bush warblers start singing in the mountains
February 14–18魚上氷
Uo kōri o izuru Fish emerge from the ice
雨水 Usui (Rainwater)
February 19–23土脉潤起
Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru Rain moistens the soil
February 24–28霞始靆
Kasumi hajimete tanabiku Mist starts to linger
March 1–5草木萌動
Sōmoku mebae izuru Grass sprouts, trees bud
啓蟄 Keichitsu (Insects awaken)
March 6–10蟄虫啓戸
Sugomori mushito o hiraku Hibernating insects surface
March 11–15桃始笑
Momo hajimete saku First peach blossoms
March 16–20菜虫化蝶
Namushi chō to naru Caterpillars become butterflies
春分 Shunbun (Spring equinox)
March 21–25雀始巣
Suzume hajimete sukū Sparrows start to nest
March 26–30櫻始開
Sakura hajimete saku First cherry blossoms
March 31–April 4雷乃発声
Kaminari sunawachi koe o hassu Distant thunder
清明 Seimei (Pure and clear)
April 5–9玄鳥至
Tsubame kitaru Swallows return
April 10–14鴻雁北
Kōgan kaeru Wild Geese fly north
April 15–19虹始見
Niji hajimete arawaru First rainbows
穀雨 Kokuu (Grain rains)
April 20–24葭始生
Ashi hajimete shōzu First reeds sprout
April 25–29霜止出苗
Shimo yamite nae izuru Last frost, rice seedlings grow
April 30–May 4牡丹華
Botan hana saku Peonies bloom
立夏 Rikka (Beginning of summer)
May 5–9蛙始鳴
Kawazu hajimete naku Frogs start singing
May 10–14蚯蚓出
Mimizu izuru Worms surface
May 15–20竹笋生
Takenoko shōzu Bamboo shoots sprout
小満 Shōman (Lesser ripening)
May 21–25蚕起食桑
Kaiko okite kuwa o hamu Silkworms start feasting on mulberry leaves
May 26–30紅花栄
Benibana sakau Safflowers bloom
May 31–June 5麦秋至
Mugi no toki itaru Wheat ripens and is harvested
芒種 Bōshu (Grain beards and seeds)
June 6–10蟷螂生
Kamakiri shōzu Praying mantises hatch
June 11–15腐草為螢
Kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru Rotten grass becomes fireflies
June 16–20梅子黄
Ume no mi kibamu Plums turn yellow
夏至 Geshi (Summer solstice)
June 21–26乃東枯
Natsukarekusa karuru Self-heal withers
June 27–July 1菖蒲華
Ayame hana saku Irises bloom
July 2–6半夏生
Hange shōzu Crow-dipper sprouts
小暑 Shōsho (Lesser heat)
July 7–11温風至
Atsukaze itaru Warm winds blow
July 12–16蓮始開
Hasu hajimete hiraku First lotus blossoms
July 17–22鷹乃学習
Taka sunawachi waza o narau Hawks learn to fly
大暑 Taisho (Greater heat)
July 23–28桐始結花
Kiri hajimete hana o musubu Paulownia trees produce seeds
July 29–August 2土潤溽暑
Tsuchi uruōte mushi atsushi Earth is damp, air is humid
August 3–7大雨時行
Taiu tokidoki furu Great rains sometimes fall
立秋 Risshū (Beginning of autumn)
August 8–12涼風至
Suzukaze itaru Cool winds blow
August 13–17寒蝉鳴
Higurashi naku Evening cicadas sing
August 18–22蒙霧升降
Fukaki kiri matō Thick fog descends
処暑 Shosho (Manageable heat)
August 23–27綿柎開
Wata no hana shibe hiraku Cotton flowers bloom
August 28–September 1天地始粛
Tenchi hajimete samushi Heat starts to die down
September 2–7禾乃登
Kokumono sunawachi minoru Rice ripens
白露 Hakuro (White dew)
September 8–12草露白
Kusa no tsuyu shiroshi Dew glistens white on grass
September 13–17鶺鴒鳴
Sekirei naku Wagtails sing
September 18–22玄鳥去
Tsubame saru Swallows leave
秋分 Shūbun (Autumn equinox)
September 23–27雷乃収声
Kaminari sunawachi koe o osamu Thunder ceases
September 28–October 2蟄虫坏戸
Mushi kakurete to o fusagu Insects hole up underground
October 3–7水始涸
Mizu hajimete karuru Farmers drain fields
寒露 Kanro (Cold dew)
October 8–12鴻雁来
Kōgan kitaru Wild geese return
October 13–17菊花開
Kiku no hana hiraku Chrysanthemums bloom
October 18–22蟋蟀在戸
Kirigirisu to ni ari Crickets chirp around the door
霜降 Sōkō (Frost falls)
October 23–27霜始降
Shimo hajimete furu First frost
October 28–November 1霎時施
Kosame tokidoki furu Light rains sometimes fall
November 2–6楓蔦黄
Momiji tsuta kibamu Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow
立冬 Rittō (Beginning of winter)
November 7–11山茶始開
Tsubaki hajimete hiraku Camellias bloom
November 12–16地始凍
Chi hajimete kōru Land starts to freeze
November 17–21金盞香
Kinsenka saku Daffodils bloom
小雪 Shōsetsu (Lesser snow)
November 22–26虹蔵不見
Niji kakurete Meizu Rainbows hide
November 27–December 1朔風払葉
Kitakaze konoha o harau North wind blows the leaves from the trees
December 2–6橘始黄
Tachibana hajimete kibamuTachibana Citrus tree leaves start to turn yellow
大雪 Taisetsu (Greater snow)
December 7–11閉塞成冬
Sora samuku fuyu to naru Cold sets in, winter begins
December 12–16熊蟄穴
Kuma ana ni komoru Bears start hibernating in their dens
December 17–21鱖魚群
Sake no uo muragaru Salmons gather and swim upstream
冬至 Tōji (Winter solstice)
December 22–26乃東生
Natsukarekusa shōzu Self-heal sprouts
December 27–31麋角解
Sawashika no tsuno otsuru Deer shed antlers
January 1–4雪下出麦
Yuki watarite mugi nobiru Wheat sprouts under snow
小寒 Shōkan (Lesser cold)
January 5–9芹乃栄
Seri sunawachi sakau Parsley flourishes
January 10–14水泉動
Shimizu atataka o fukumu Springs thaw
January 15–19雉始雊
Kiji hajimete naku Pheasants start to call
大寒 Daikan (Greater cold)
January 20–24款冬華
Fuki no hana saku Butterburs bud
January 25–29水沢腹堅
Kiwamizu kōri tsumeru Ice thickens on streams
At Iruma river, Kawagoe, Saitama. 3 handheld RAWs (+-2EV)
January 30–February 3鶏始乳
Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku Hens start laying eggs
Japan’s 72 microseasons offer a unique and fascinating aspect of the country’s culture and climate. From the cherry blossoms of spring to the fiery foliage of autumn, each season brings its own beauty and charm. Understanding the microseasons allows for a deeper appreciation of Japan’s natural beauty and a more fulfilling travel experience. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of Japan, learning about the country’s microseasons is a must. So next time you plan your trip to Japan, try to be aware of the microseasons, and enjoy the different facets of Japanese culture and nature.
Happy Travels, Adventurers
1 COMMENT
hirasu
1 year agostill waiting for the “guide” part of it