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Shokan (Lesser cold) -

While January is the first month of the year, it is not the first season in Japan. Nor is the first half of the month particularly cold.  

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January 1–4 -

In fact, wheat sprouts have already begun to germinate under the snow.  

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January 5–9 -

From January 5, Japanese parsley begins to grow—one of the seven spring herbs. 

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January 10–14 -

It's not unusual to experience brief thaws this time of year. 

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January 15–19 -

In Japanese folklore, it's said that pheasants can predict earthquakes. But at this time of year, males are more likely calling for females. Pictured is the Japanese green pheasant, the national bird of Japan. 

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Daikan (Greater cold) -

Daikan is the coldest month of the year. The "greater cold" tightens its icy grip over the entire country. 

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January 20–24 -

Butterburs, perennial plants that prefer moist environments such as riverbanks, marshes, and ditches, still manage to bud in this frigid environment.  

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January 25–29 -

Towards the end of January, ice thickens on streams. This is when the lowest temperatures of the year are often recorded. 

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January 30–February 3 -

Even so, the cold doesn't deter hens from laying eggs. Warmer weather is being hatched! 

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Risshun (Beginning of spring) -

The first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar is known as Risshun.

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February 4–8 -

Harbingers of spring include an East wind that melts the ice. 

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February 9–13 -

Bush warblers start singing in the mountains, their song a long introductory tone followed by a rapid warble. 

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February 14–18 -

As it warms up, fish emerge from the ice.  

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Usui (Rainwater) -

Usui is the season when the snows melt, and rains return. 

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February 19–23 -

As the cold weather eases, the earth and fields welcome rainwater's return. 

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February 24–28 -

Mist starts to linger, lending the environment an ethereal appearance. 

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March 1–5 -

Rain moistens the soil, prompting grass to sprout and trees to bud. 

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Keichitsu (Insects awaken) -

Keichitsu marks the time when not only insects but other small creatures like frogs, snakes, and lizards that have been hibernating underground start to emerge. 

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March 6–10 -

Enticed by the warmer weather, these hibernating creatures surface in their millions. 

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March 11–15 -

By mid-March, the first peach blossoms have appeared. 

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March 16–20 -

Caterpillars become butterflies. Pictured is Sasakia charonda—the great purple emperor, the national butterfly of Japan. 

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Shunbun (Spring equinox) -

Spring in Japan begins on March 21. It is the Vernal Equinox, or Shunbun no Hi in Japanese. The date is marked by a public holiday. 

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March 21–25 -

With spring having sprung, sparrows are among the first birds to nest.  

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March 26–30 -

The first cherry blossoms burst in a palette of pink and white. 

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March 31–April 4 -

While the temperature remains mild, distant thunder often announces the end of March and the beginning of April. 

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Seimei (Pure and clear) -

Seimei is the time when spring is in full swing, and all plants and creatures seem to glow in the sunshine. 

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April 5–9 -

A welcome sign is the return of swallows. Pictured is a pair of barn swallows, the most widespread species of swallow in the world.

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April 10–14 -

Wild geese, however, fly north to overwinter. Pictured are a flock of greater white-fronted geese in formation.

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April 15–19 -

Around this time of year, the first rainbows appear, formed by an abundance of rain showers and scattered sunlight. 

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Kokuu (Grain rains) -

The last of the 24 solar terms in spring is Kokuu, which means "grain rains." At this time of year, rain is essential to ensure crop growth. 

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April 20–24 -

Rainwater prompts the sprouting of the first reeds. 

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April 25–29 -

Similarly, rice seedlings nourished by rain grow rapidly. 

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April 30–May 4 -

Across Japan, peonies bloom in a variety of colors, usually red, pink, white, and yellow.

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Rikka (Beginning of summer) -

Rikka opens a new season in Japan's 24 solar terms.

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May 5–9 -

The summer soundtrack is heightened by frogs singing. Pictured is a Japanese tree frog. 

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May 10–14 -

Earthworms break cover and surface. They find it easier to move across the soil surface when it is wet to find food, new habitats, or a mate. 

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May 15–20 -

The damp earth prompts bamboo shoots to sprout.

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Shoman (Lesser ripening) -

Mid-May marks Shoman, when crops flourish and everything is beginning to ripen. Shoman also translates as the "small satisfaction" felt by farmers around this time of year. 

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May 21–25 -

It's a time of year when silkworms start feasting on mulberry leaves, a  delicious bounty they can't resist. 

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May 26–30 -

Thistle-like safflowers bloom in abundance. 

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May 31–June 5 -

Nourished by warm sunshine, wheat is sown to quickly ripen, ready for harvesting. 

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Boshu (Grain beards and seeds) -

In fact, the name Boshu refers to the time of year when it is best to plant cereals such as barley and wheat.  

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June 6–10 -

Insects thrive. For example, it's when praying mantises hatch. These predatory critters begin to emerge from their casings as soon as temperatures warm. 

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June 11–15 -

There's a traditional saying in Japan that rotten grass turns into fireflies. Certainly by mid-June these mesmerizing insects are lighting up warm and humid nights. 

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June 16–20 -

Plums turn yellow, another sign that summer is in full sway. 

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Geshi (Summer solstice) -

Geshi is the Japanese word for the summer solstice, when daylight is longest. It is a time of year associated with purification.

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June 21–26 -

The rapid growth of the common self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) means that towards the end of June, this herbaceous plant in the mint family begins to wither. 

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June 27–July 1 -

At the same time, however, irises can be seen in full bloom across the nation. 

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July 2–6 -

Similarly, the crow-dipper, a plant native to Japan and used as a herb, sprouts to full leaf. 

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Shosho (Lesser heat) -

Shosho is the time of year when the heat begins to briefly abate and becomes more manageable. 

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July 7–11 -

Well, relatively speaking. Warm winds still fan Japan and the humidity can still be oppressive. 

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July 12–16 -

But the conditions are ideal for the first lotus blossoms to appear. Highly symbolic in Japan, the lotus flower represents the origin of religious reincarnation and purity of spirit.

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July 17–22 -

By mid-July the air is alive with birds. Hawks learn to fly. Pictured is a juvenile Japanese sparrowhawk on the wing.   

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Taisho (Greater heat) -

Taisho, another one of Japan's 24 solar terms, denotes the hottest time of the year.

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July 23–28 -

Paulownia trees produce seeds. The wood of the Paulownia is quite unique and is used for making furniture, toys, plywood, musical instruments, housing construction, and for packaging.  

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July 29–August 2 -

The humid air leaves earth damp and moist. But there's a change in the weather. 

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August 3–7 -

The beginning of August sees great bursts of prolonged rainfall. 

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Risshu (Beginning of fall) -

Fall in Japan is known as Risshu. The days continue to be hot, but the chirping insects and changing foliage hint at autumn's approach. 

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August 8–12 -

A chill is in the air. Cool winds blow to dissipate the clinging heat. 

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August 13–17 -

Cicadas sing an evening chorus as the days become a little shorter. 

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August 18–22 -

Pockets of thick fog descend across the nation, shrouding city and countryside.  

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Shosho (Manageable heat) -

Shosho marks a drop in temperatures. The insect songs at dawn and dusk serve as an audible sign of the end of summer.

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August 23–27 -

But not everything is winding down. Cotton flowers bloom at this time of year. 

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August 28–September 1 -

By the end of August, the heat is noticeably less torrid and muggy. 

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September 2–7 -

By now, rice crops have ripened.

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Hakuro (White dew) -

In Hakuro, the weather gradually becomes more autumnal. Moisture in the air cools to form dew, which appears white. 

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September 8–12 -

Indeed, dew glistens on grass everywhere to resemble sparkling diamonds set over green velvet. 

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September 13–17 -

But birds are still singing, including wagtails. Pictured is the handsome Japanese pied wagtail. 

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September 13–17 -

But for many passerines, Hakuro signals departure to warmer climates. Swallows gather to roost, ready to leave en masse.  

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Shubun (Autumn equinox) -

Shubun falls on September 23 or 22 and is Autumnal Equinox Day, a national holiday in Japan. 

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September 23–27 -

The weather is tamer this time of year. Thunder ceases, skies clear.  

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September 28–October 2 -

As the cold begins to intensify, insects hole up underground.  

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October 3–7 -

Farmers begin to drain their fields before ice takes hold. 

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Kanro (Cold dew) -

The Japanese describe this cold dew period as Kanro. 

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October 8–12 -

In the skies, wild geese are seen returning to winter feeding grounds. 

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October 13–17 -

The Kanro micro-season sees chrysanthemums bloom. At this time of year, it's common to find chrysanthemum petals in food or simmered or pickled as a garnish. The chrysanthemum is the symbol of the emperor of Japan and is the official flower of the country.

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October 18–22 -

By the end of October, crickets are often seen chirping on and around household doors. Singing crickets are sometimes kept as pets and have some symbolism in Japanese culture, where they are representative of fall and a token of approaching winter and the death of life. 

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Soko (Frost falls) -

In Soko, the weather really starts to get colder. Frost-covered mornings are not uncommon. 

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October 23–27 -

In fact, by the last week of October, the first hard frosts have fallen.   

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October 28–November 1 -

Light rains sometimes fall in late October, not quite turning to snow. 

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November 2–6 -

By the beginning of November, maple leaves and ivy have turned yellow. 

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Ritto (Beginning of winter) -

The solar term known as Ritto begins around November 8. The mornings and nights are decidedly chillier, and sunset is noticeably earlier.

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November 7–11 -

But camellias are in full bloom. The red camellia has long been a symbol of beauty, grace, and perseverance in Japanese culture.

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November 12–16 -

November sees the land start to freeze. Snow is on its way.  

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November 17–21 -

But here's a surprise. Daffodils bloom! The Japanese variety, Narcissus tazetta, often referred to as "paperwhite," can be admired as early as Christmas or the New Year. 

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Shosetsu (Lesser snow) -

The season when snow begins to fall in Japan is known as Shosetsu (Lesser Snow). It starts blanketing the ground around November 22. 

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November 22–26 -

With little or no rainfall, rainbows disappear.  

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November 27–December 1 -

A chill North wind blows leaves from trees. Fall really has given way to winter. 

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December 2–6 -

When Tachibana citrus tree leaves start to turn yellow, it's only a matter of time before snow falls. 

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Taisetsu (Greater snow) -

In early December, light snow gradually becomes heavy snow. And the micro-season known as Taisetsu arrives with a vengeance. 

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December 7–11 -

Cold sets in, winter begins. Pictured is Kinkakuji Temple near Kyoto. 

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December 12–16 -

Bears turn their back on the cold and start hibernating in their dens. The Japanese black bear is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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December 17–21 -

One wildlife species definitely not setting down for winter is the sockeye salmon. This hardy fish gathers in thousands to run upstream through November and December to spawn. 

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Toji (Winter solstice) -

The winter solstice in Japan is known as Toji, and falls on December 22. 

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December 22–26 -

Despite heavy snowfall, self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) sprouts, poking its nose through the icy mantle. 

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December 27–31 -

Sika deer shed their antlers, typically from January through March. And the cycle begins again. 

Sources: (Kyoto Journal) (Field & Nest) (Japanese Experience) (IUCN)  

See also: Quirky things you can only find in Japan. 

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