Summer Travel in Japan: If It's Your First Time, Here's What You Need to Know Before You Go

“I’ve heard that summer in Japan is like hell—will I really be okay?” That’s a question I asked myself at least dozens of times before leaving. To cut to the chase, that’s half true and half false.

To be honest, my first summer trip to Japan was a total shock. In late July in Tokyo, the moment the automatic doors at Narita Airport slid open, a heavy, sticky air—completely different from the sweltering heat of Korea—suddenly enveloped my entire body. Rather than simply being “hot,” it felt as if I’d stepped into a giant steam sauna. Even a short walk made sweat pour down like rain, and just standing still left me gasping for breath. I’d always prided myself on being able to handle Korea’s heat, but I was completely helpless in the face of humidity on an entirely different level.

However, there are special sights unique to Japan in the summer that you can only experience after enduring this harsh weather. If your sole purpose for traveling is to visit famous tourist spots and go shopping, then you should definitely avoid traveling in the summer. But if you’re the kind of traveler who values the unique experiences a season offers and the atmosphere that can only be felt at that particular time of year, then it’s a different story.

Summer in Japan is less about “enduring” the heat and more about “enjoying” it. That’s because countless ways to beat the heat and things to enjoy are woven into everyday life.

Let’s take a look at some examples. Fireworks (hanabi), which cool off the heat of a midsummer night, aren’t just a simple event—they’re a massive festival that gets the whole city buzzing. The experience of spreading out a mat on the riverbank and gazing at the fireworks lighting up the night sky is truly unforgettable. Stopping by a small matsuri (festival) held at a local shrine to buy some yakisoba and mingle with people wearing yukata is another experience unique to summer. From kakigori (shaved ice) topped with sweet syrup over cool ice, to cold pickled cucumbers sold on the street, to the furin (wind chimes) hanging from eaves and producing a refreshing sound—all of these are the pieces that make up a Japanese summer.

Ultimately, traveling to Japan in the summer is a matter of “choice.” After all, there are definitely experiences worth enduring the sweltering heat for. Summer in Japan is certainly harsh, but it hides a charming side that transforms even that heat into romance. So, what’s the first thing you need to know to really enjoy this hot season? It’s the true nature of that infamous “humidity.”

Stifling humidity—should we really brace ourselves for it?

Yes, you'd better be prepared. I'm not joking.

If summer in Korea feels “hot,” summer in Japan feels more like you’re being “boiled.” Especially from mid-July to late August, average temperatures of 30–35 degrees are nothing out of the ordinary, and days with humidity hovering around 80% go on and on. The heat index is beyond anything you can imagine. For the first few days, I honestly found myself wondering, “What am I even doing here?” Even during that brief moment of crossing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, I could feel sweat trickling down my spine. It was a moment when I realized with every fiber of my being why Japanese people always carry small handkerchiefs and why every train station and convenience store sells so many varieties of sports drinks.

That’s why the Japan Meteorological Agency issues a “Heatstroke Alert (熱中症警戒アラート)” every day. This isn’t just a warning that it’s “hot”—it’s a signal that the heat could pose a threat to your health. In fact, I often saw people feeling dizzy while traveling. Japan Meteorological Agency Heatstroke Information PageIt's also a good idea to check the risk level of the area you plan to visit in advance. Staying hydrated isn't an option—it's a necessityPlease never forget that.

Still, Reasons Why You Should Go in the Summer

Despite all these challenges, there’s a clear reason why I find myself dreaming of summer in Japan once again. It’s because of those special experiences—found only in summer—that make me willing to endure the “scorching heat” I mentioned earlier.

The most representative example is Matsuri (Festival) and Hanabi (Fireworks)It has a unique atmosphere—quite different from Korea’s regional festivals—where the ordinary and the extraordinary intersect in a delicate balance. While massive festivals—such as the majestic procession of the Kyoto Gion Festival, which boasts a history spanning hundreds of years, or the lively Osaka Tenjin Festival with its countless boats floating on the river—are certainly impressive, the simple festivals at neighborhood shrines that you happen to stumble upon while traveling are the real deal. As you walk among people elegantly dressed in yukata, intoxicated by the aroma of grilled yakisoba and the sound of taiko drums, you can savor the feeling of becoming a local—if only for a moment.

In particular, the hanabi (fireworks) that brilliantly illuminate the night sky are truly a spectacular sight. While Korean fireworks focus on the exhilarating, nonstop burst of explosions, Japanese hanabi is more like a work of art, with each individual shot carefully crafted. The delicacy of a firework tracing a vivid, large circle across the night sky before slowly fading away, and the intricate details that use sophisticated techniques to create characters or heart shapes—these are art in their own right. Spreading out a picnic blanket and enjoying the hanabi with a cold can of beer from a convenience store is the ultimate reward that makes you forget all the hardships of the day.

The joys of summer aren’t limited to festivals. You also can’t miss out on the culinary delights that are unique to this season. From grilled eel (unagi)—a nourishing dish to beat the heat—to the fun of scooping up somen noodles as they flow down a bamboo trough in nagashi somen, and even “adult-style kakigori,” served with rich matcha syrup and red beans atop fluffy shaved ice. Even a quick trip to a convenience store reveals an endless array of summer-limited edition beers featuring fireworks designs and limited-time desserts that constantly tempt us.

If you love shopping, you won’t want to miss the massive summer sale season that kicks off in early July. From department stores to boutique shops, retailers are offering incredible discounts, so as you enjoy shopping indoors to escape the heat, you might find yourself with both hands full of great finds before you know it. Even as heat haze rises from the hot asphalt, the wind chimes (fūrin) hanging from shop eaves ring out with a clear, delicate sound, and the chirping of cicadas heard all over the streets serves as the background music of a Japanese summer. It is precisely this sensory landscape that captures the true charm of a summer trip—something that photos alone cannot convey.

Conclusion: Summer Travel in Japan: Final Tips for Beginners

So, what’s the bottom line? A summer trip to Japan is definitely worth it—provided you’re thoroughly prepared and mentally ready. While the sweltering heat is certainly a downside, there are vibrant and romantic moments waiting for you that more than make up for it. Rather than diving in blindly, it’s important to plan wisely with the mindset of making friends with the heat. I’ve put together a few practical tips for those of you experiencing a Japanese summer for the first time.

Attire: Be sure to choose fabrics that are cool and breathable. Functional clothing like Uniqlo’s AIRism or linen are good choices. A hat and sunglasses to block the sun are a must! White-colored clothing helps reduce heat absorption more than dark colors.

Required Items: A portable fan is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. A small handkerchief to wipe away sweat, as well as cooling spray or cooling wipes, can also be a big help. It’s also a good habit to carry a small water bottle so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.

Schedule: Don’t try to pack too much into a single day. It’s best to have a flexible schedule: get an early start in the morning, take a break at a café or shopping mall during the hottest part of the afternoon, and then get back out and about once the sun goes down. Major cities like Tokyo and Osaka have extensive underground shopping malls connected to subway stations, so be sure to take full advantage of them.

Food and Hydration: Even if you aren’t thirsty, make a point of drinking water or tea. It’s also important to replenish electrolytes with sports drinks, which are readily available at Japanese convenience stores and vending machines. For meals, focus on cool summer specialties like soba, somen, and hiyashi chuka (cold ramen).