七月

July in Japan

Festival month. Kyoto spends all of July on the Gion Matsuri, Fuji opens for climbers, and the first great fireworks go up.

Weather

Rainy season breaks mid-month, then real summer arrives: Tokyo 23-31°C and humid. Head for altitude or the sea.

What's on

Gion Matsuri's grand float processions on July 17 and 24. Tanabata hangs paper wishes on bamboo. The Sumida River fireworks close the month.

Where to go

Kyoto for the matsuri, Mount Fuji's huts from early July, Okinawa's beaches before the typhoon lottery starts.

On the table

Unagi on the ox day for stamina, kakigori shaved ice, cold beer at a rooftop garden.