On May 16, 2021, the meteorological observatory announced that the rainy season has started in the Kinki and Tokai regions. I live in the southern part of Kyushu, where the rainy season has already started on May 11.
It is said that Japan has four distinct seasons, but the rainy season lasts for about a month after spring. We don’t have a rainy season in Hokkaido, but I was curious, so I looked up the rainy season.
Last year
| Area | 2021 | Last year | Normal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okinawa | Around May 5 | Around May 16 | Around May 10 |
| Amami | Around May 5 | Around May 17 | Around May 12 |
| Southern Kyushu | Around May 11 | Around May 30 | Around May 30 |
| Northern Kyushu | Around May 15 | Around June 11 | Around June 4 |
| Shikoku | Around May 15 | Around June 10 | Around June 5 |
| Chugoku | Around May 15 | Around June 10 | Around June 6 |
| Kinki | Around May 16 | Around June 10 | Around June 6 |
| Tokai | Around May 16 | Around June 10 | Around June 6 |
| Kanto Koshin | Around June 11 | Around June 7 | |
| Hokuriku | Around June 11 | Around June 11 | |
| Southern Tohoku | Around June 11 | Around June 12 | |
| Northern Tohoku | Around June 25 | Around June 15 |
As you can see from the table, the rainy season is more than two weeks earlier than usual. The rainy season in Japan does not mean that it rains every day. It is more like a rainy season. By the way, today in southern Kyushu, the room temperature is 29 degrees Celsius and it is sunny outside with no sign of rain. Yesterday, it rained on and off all day.
In the rainy season, the humidity is high and the days are annoying. Just when you think it’s going to be sunny, it suddenly starts to rain, and you can’t go out without your umbrella. Riding a bicycle with an umbrella is now prohibited, so if you want to ride a bicycle, you have to wear a raincoat.
When I was a high school student riding my bicycle to school, there was nothing I hated more than having to wear a raincoat on a rainy day. I used to have a hard time just taking off my kappa(raincoat) because of the rain. The rainy season, which does not belong to any season, does not last more than about a month, and it is not pleasant.
So, I thought about what I would need to survive the rainy season.
Umbrella
You will need a folding umbrella and a regular umbrella. This is because even if it is not raining when you go out, there is a good chance that it will start to rain. People in other countries often don’t take an umbrella when it rains a little, but without an umbrella, you will get soaked in the rain in Japan.
Kappa(Raincoat)
People who ride bicycles are required to wear a Kappa. Japanese kappa is not like a poncho, but you have to wear a top and bottom.
Air conditioner
Dehumidification alone is quite effective. In the southern part of Kyushu, where I live, I don’t think I can remember the last time I had to turn on the air conditioner in May when the temperature was almost 30 degrees Celsius and the humidity was so high that it was impossible to use only a fan. Uchiwa is often used in summer when watching fireworks, but it is also used on ordinary hot days. There is no doubt that air conditioning is the best.
Desiccant
This can be kept in a corner of the room or in a closet. You can see how humid the room is as the small container fills up with water. The water-filled desiccant can also be used as a herbicide by opening the lid and sprinkling it on the grass. This may not be necessary for families who can leave the air conditioner on.
Ice cream and cold drinks
Ice cream and cold drinks are a must in summer. Ice cream and cold drinks are a great way to beat the heat.
But be careful of dehydration. This icecream ”YUKIMI DAIFUKU” is very good in Japan.
As the rainy season comes to an end, summer arrives. This year’s rainy season started early, so I have a feeling that summer will come early.
Let’s take care of our physical condition.
Uchiwa is very convenient in Summer in Japan.
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