News in Easy English: Japan's hot summers change festival schedules
TOKYO -- Very hot summers in Japan are changing famous summer events. Some festivals now happen in spring or autumn because of extreme heat.
Tokyo's Adachi Fireworks Festival usually happens in late July. But last year, very hot weather caused problems. Workers and visitors felt sick from heat. One person went to the hospital. This year, the event was set for May 31 instead. Many people agree with the change. Families with young children say it is safer and easier for them now.
In Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, the Kujirabune festival usually happens in mid-August. It is a traditional event more than 200 years old and is even recognized by UNESCO. This year, it will happen in late September. This is because many people in the festival are elderly. The festival group wants everyone to be safe from the extreme heat.
Japan's Tohoku area also has changes. Fukushima Prefecture has a famous horse festival called Soma Nomaoi. But last July, very hot weather caused the death of one horse. So now, they have the festival in May.
In the Kyushu area, Kitakyushu moved its big summer festival from August to September. Saga city changed the date of their summer festival too.
However, some festivals need to stay on their regular dates. The Tanabata star festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is always around July 7 every year. Organizers say changing its date would lose its meaning. Instead, they will add mist fans outside to help people feel cool.
(Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Digital News Group)
Vocabulary
extreme: very strong; more than normal
elderly: older people
organizer: the person or group that plans an event
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Today
5 hours ago
- Japan Today
How to survive Japan's rainy season: 10 practical ways to stay dry
By Aaron Baggett Your laundry is still damp, your futon smells weird, and your umbrella just flipped inside out. Welcome to the rainy season in Japan. Known as tsuyu, it typically begins in early June and lasts through mid-July. During this time, weeks of overcast skies, near-daily rain and suffocating humidity set in. Mold creeps into corners, clothes take forever to dry and the air starts to feel like miso soup. With no national holidays in June to break up the monotony, it's no surprise that it is considered the most depressing month of the year in Japan. Here's a guide on how to survive Japan's rainy season. 1. How to Deal with Humidity 2. Drying Laundry Inside Without That Musty Smell 3. Stop Mold Before It Spreads 4. What to Wear to Stay Cool and Dry 5. Rain Gear That Actually Works 6. Best Shoes for Rainy Season Commutes 7. Keep Your Tech Safe from Rain 8. How to Survive Commuting During Tsuyu 9. What to Stock Up on Before Heavy Rain 10. How to Enjoy Rainy Days at Home Bonus: Escape the Rainy Season in Hokkaido 1. How to Deal with Humidity Use your aircon's dehumidifying mode. Japanese apartments, especially older ones, are built for winter insulation, not summer ventilation. Without central air or good airflow, moisture collects in closets, under beds, and especially around shoes and bedding. Mold spores thrive in the warm, damp air and without some strategy, your apartment can start to smell like a neglected towel. Use a dehumidifier (除湿機, joshitsuki) or your aircon's dehumidify mode (除湿, joshitsu). Place moisture absorbers (湿気とり, shikke-tori) in closets, cabinets and drawers. Use futon dryers or dry your mattress near a window or fan. or dry your mattress near a window or fan. Don't forget shoes — stick silica packs in them when not in use. 2. Drying Laundry Inside Without That Musty Smell Use an indoor-drying detergent. Drying laundry indoors during tsuyu is almost unavoidable. But without airflow or the right detergent, clothes will smell like mildew before they dry. Many apartments have tiny balconies or none at all, and the humidity indoors can make drying jeans take two full days. Fortunately, Japan has specialized products and setups for this exact situation. Use indoor-drying detergent (部屋干し用洗濯剤, heya boshi you senzai) to reduce odor. Hang clothes near a window or fan for better airflow. Use a bathroom dryer (浴室乾燥機, yokushitsu kansouki) if your apartment has one. Invest in an indoor drying rack (室内物干しラック, shitsunai monohoshi rakku) or a ceiling pole for inside drying. 3. Stop Mold Before It Spreads Manage this sooner rather than later. Even clean apartments can develop black spots along window frames, in the kitchen, and under the futon. If you have tatami mats, you're even more vulnerable. Prevention is key, and Japanese drugstores are stocked with powerful anti-mold products made for exactly this time of year. Spray Kabi Killer (カビキラー, Kabi Kirā) in high-risk areas like bathrooms and windows. Keep bathroom doors open to let air circulate after showers. Dry mats, floors, and futons thoroughly — don't let moisture linger. Use moisture control sheets (除湿シート, joshitsu shīto) under futons, especially on tatami. 4. What to Wear to Stay Cool and Dry Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Japan's hot summers change festival schedules
TOKYO -- Very hot summers in Japan are changing famous summer events. Some festivals now happen in spring or autumn because of extreme heat. Tokyo's Adachi Fireworks Festival usually happens in late July. But last year, very hot weather caused problems. Workers and visitors felt sick from heat. One person went to the hospital. This year, the event was set for May 31 instead. Many people agree with the change. Families with young children say it is safer and easier for them now. In Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, the Kujirabune festival usually happens in mid-August. It is a traditional event more than 200 years old and is even recognized by UNESCO. This year, it will happen in late September. This is because many people in the festival are elderly. The festival group wants everyone to be safe from the extreme heat. Japan's Tohoku area also has changes. Fukushima Prefecture has a famous horse festival called Soma Nomaoi. But last July, very hot weather caused the death of one horse. So now, they have the festival in May. In the Kyushu area, Kitakyushu moved its big summer festival from August to September. Saga city changed the date of their summer festival too. However, some festivals need to stay on their regular dates. The Tanabata star festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is always around July 7 every year. Organizers say changing its date would lose its meaning. Instead, they will add mist fans outside to help people feel cool. (Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Digital News Group) Vocabulary extreme: very strong; more than normal elderly: older people organizer: the person or group that plans an event
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- The Mainichi
Easy Japanese news in translation: Fireflies light up along river in Kumamoto Prefecture
Along the Nikaki River in the city of Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture, known as the "home of fireflies," Genji fireflies can now be seen. When the sun sets and it gets dark, many fireflies emit a yellow-green light, floating gently and creating a dreamy scene. It is said that you can enjoy the best view on cloudy, hot, humid and windless days. The photo was taken using a special technique. Japanese original Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension. A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments. Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.
