10 Fun Things to Do in Japan in the Summer

There are so many great activities to do in Japan in summer, so whether you want to have some fun in the sun or stay out of the heat, let’s take a look at 10 fun things to do to make the most of the season.

1. Go to a Traditional Festival

Festivals are one of the best ways to experience Japan’s rich and lively culture, and summer is the season with some of the biggest festivals of the year!

Japanese summer festivals will often feature an array of food stalls, fun performances, and parades. There are even some festivals that use water to cool everyone down, such as the “Mizu-kake Matsuri” at Edo Wonderland.

Some of the biggest summer festivals in Japan are:

• Gion Matsuri
• Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
• Tenjin Matsuri
• Awa Odori
• Sendai tanabata Matsuri
• Akita Kanto Matsuri

2. Go North

In summer, temperatures in Tokyo can get as high as 35°C, with intense humidity to boot. So if you don’t do too well with the heat, you’re probably better off heading to a more northern region.

Hokkaido is a great place to visit in summer in Japan because there are so many natural sights to see. There are also beautiful lavender fields, delicious seafood, and interesting hiking trails. The region is also well-known for its dairy, so you know you can get some good ice cream to cool off!

A couple of other cooler regions to visit in summer are:  

• Karuizawa
• Ishikawa
• Akita
• Aomori
• Sendai

3. Eat Kakigori

Kids and adults alike look forward to the cool summer treat known as “kakigori”. It’s a shaved ice dessert, but not as you know it!

While you might be used to shaved ice with a bit of syrup to flavour it, Japanese kakigori is thinly shaved ice with tons of toppings. The ice is often sweetened with condensed milk, then topped with syrups, cream, and fruit. It feels more like a very light ice cream than a crunchy cup of ice!

4. Wear a Yukata

Most people know Japan’s traditional dress, the kimono, but have you heard of a yukata before?

Yukatas were traditionally worn as bathrobes, as they were easy to take off and on. But because of their light and airy feel, they eventually became summer clothes.

You’re unlikely to see people wearing them out and about in big cities, but if you go to more traditional towns like Kawagoe, you might be able to find a rental spot to explore the town in a yukata. Otherwise, you can buy your own and head to a festival in one!

5. Cool Off in Nature

If you want to spend some time outside in Japan in summer, make sure you consider the heat and UV exposure. Generally speaking, spending a day sunbathing can be a little dangerous mid-summer, so is better towards the beginning or end of the season.

If you really want to spend time at the beach, snorkelling or diving could be a fun option to cool off in the sea.

Otherwise, head to some walking trails or waterfalls, or go for a hike a little further north. Just always make sure you pack tons of water, sun cream, and bug spray!

6. Go Shopping for Summer Souvenirs

Given that Japan is so used to the summer heat, pretty much everywhere indoors has great air conditioning to cool you down. If you’re looking for a break, shopping for a few souvenirs is not a bad idea.

You could get some more modern Japanese summer items like the cooling technology of Uniqlo’s “airism” clothes, mini portable electric fans, or cooling towels for your forehead. Or you could get some more traditional mementoes of your trip, like a folding fan, a summer wind chime, or a parasol.

7. Cool off Indoors

As well as shopping malls, you can get cultural in the cool air conditioning by visiting a museum or art gallery. There are a lot of interactive indoor activities in Japan as well that are like a cross between an exhibition space and a theme park.

A popular option is one of the teamLab exhibits around Japan. They have a permanent exhibit in Odaiba in Tokyo, as well as some others around the country.

Pretty much wherever you go in Japan, you’ll find a museum or gallery, but some of the most well-known ones in Tokyo are the TOP Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, and the Mori Art Museum.

8. Catch the Fireworks

While some parts of the world might see fireworks as a winter activity, in Japan, they are most certainly a summer show!

Fireworks are a kind of Japanese festival of their own and often have a number of food stalls near the viewing areas, as well as crowds of people in their yukata. A popular way to enjoy the fireworks is to bring a picnic blanket, some snacks and some drinks and set up well before the fireworks even begin.

These are some of Japan’s biggest summer fireworks:  

• Sumidagawa Fireworks
• Biwako Fireworks
• Akagawa Fireworks
• Kumano Fireworks
• Kachimai Fireworks
• Kyoto Geijutsu Fireworks

9. Drink Japanese Beer

Something you could easily bring to those fireworks is a nice can of Japanese beer!

Japanese beer is light and always served cold, so it makes for a great drink under the stars. During the summer, a lot of “beer terraces” open up around the country, especially in Tokyo. These are usually open-air spaces where you can have a few pints with friends well into the night.

The most well-known brands of beer in Japan are Asahi, Sapporo, and Suntory. However, these days there are a lot of craft beer options, too, like Yona Yona, Hitachino Nest, and Baird Beer.

10. Hike Mt. Fuji

One of the most iconic activities to conquer on a trip to Japan is to hike Mt. Fuji. But did you know this is an activity you can only do in summer?

Mt. Fuji is only open to hikers from early July to early September and is most popular during the Obon holidays in the middle of August (so it’s best to try and avoid that time).

Mt. Fuji is no walk in the park, though! Most people opt for a two-day hike, staying overnight in one of the mountain huts. You need to be in good physical shape and used to a bit of hiking first. If that’s you, climbing the mountain is a great badge of honour to add to your Japan trip!

For non-hikers, you can easily visit about halfway up Mt. Fuji by tour bus or car, and there are plenty of other mountains around Japan that you can access by cable car or ropeway, too.

Feeling the Heat?

Japan has so many interesting summer customs and activities! Hopefully, now you have a good idea of what you can do during this sunny season. If you’re visiting Japan in a cooler season but want to get some of that tropical sun, though, why not consider a trip to Japan’s southern islands of Okinawa?