Exciting Summer in Japan!
Summer in Japan is full of excitement: it is a season of fireworks and festivals all around the country. Almost every night, firework displays color the evening skies. The Sumida River Fireworks Festival, celebrated in late July, is one of the most anticipated fireworks festivals in Tokyo. Several traditional festivals are celebrated with pomp and pageantry such as the “Don odori” dances.
There are also several summer purification rites to participate in around Tokyo. These rituals cleanse you of impurities from the past six months and give you a fresh beginning. Some cleansing ceremonies are held at Enoshima Shrine (Enoshima), Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Kamakura), Samukawa Shrine (Samukawa), and Hakone Shrine (Hakone).
Summer in Japan can also bring on the heat. There are a number of places that visitors can go to in the Tokyo region to relax and cool off away from the crowds. These places include:
Nakamise-dōri
Walk along Nakamise-dōri, one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. The street was named after the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu who once ruled over Japan during the Sengoku Period (1493-1590). He was responsible for the creation of the Edo Shogunate that made Edo, now modern-day Tokyo. The famous street has all the signs of old world Japan: strolling down it is a great way to experience the Japanese culture and way of life. The shops along Nakamise-dōri sell a range of items like traditional Japanese wooden dolls, hair accessories, post cards, and other ideal souvenirs to remind you of your adventures in Japan.
KCP students amongst the crowd at Nakamise shopping street.
Meiji Shrine
People-watch at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward. It is one of the most popular Shinto shrines in Japan and is used by many locals for prayers, rituals, and other religious activities.The Meiji Shrine was built to commemorate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, both significant contributors to the modernization of Japan through the Meiji Restoration.
The walkway around Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Tokyo’s Imperial Palace
Experience Japanese history in Tokyo’s Imperial Palace in the city’s Chiyoda area. The Imperial Palace, also called Kōkyo, it is the main residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. The outer gardens are open to the public for most of the year. The East Garden is the most popular place to visit with its little bridges, grassy knolls, ponds, and flowering trees. Its gorgeous landscape reflects Japanese aesthetics at its finest.
KCP Fall 2014 students at the Tokyo Imperial Palace and Asakusa.
Wherever you feel like relaxing, whether it be in tranquil Japanese gardens, old world streets of the ancient city, or historical temples, there is always something for everyone.
