A few rather popular activities here in Japan during summer are hiking, beach surfing and picnics. I present a summer’s day in Zushi, Kanagawa, consisting of a relaxing and scenic hike at Mount Takatori (with different start and end points), finished off with a stroll in the beach.

Here we introduce five beaches which can be your perfect weekend getaway from the notorious heat and humidity that the summer of Fukuoka comes with.

If ever you find yourself in Akita City, Senshu Park (千秋公園）deserves to be near the top of your sightseeing list. Built on the ruins of Kubota Castle, home of the first lord of Akita, Kubota Han, the park is still a major location for tourists and locals alike.

Koenji becomes a huge attraction in the summer when it hosts one of Tokyo’s most popular festivals. The Koenji Awa Odori is a summer dance festival and is held annually during the last weekend in August.

In the land of the rising sun, fireflies are the image of summer. Many cities throughout Japan even host firefly viewing festivals, where locals and visitors alike are welcome to marvel at the beautiful flashes of light that these insects use to either attract a mate, signal distress, or warn off predators.

A unique Tanabata festival to commemorate the poignant meeting of the star lovers, and perhaps, one of the biggest festivals of its kind takes place every year in Asagaya, Suginami ward.

In summer, in central Japan, such temperatures are normal. Perhaps even more stifling than the heat, however, is the humidity. Even a simple walk to the local convenience store can leave you drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. Or, maybe I just need to work out more!

Japanese summer, however, is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week of humidity… and I learnt to love it. You see, it is easy to be worn down by weather but the Japanese have adapted to summer in the best way possible, by embracing it with food.

One of the unique festivals of the area is the Demon Fireworks Festival, known as the Oni-Hanabi in Japanese. Every summer from early June to the end of July, Noboribetsu holds a special festival to celebrate the demons living in the area.

Japanese summers may bring on the heat and humidity, but they also signal Japan’s love of the festive. Tokyo’s festivals cover the whole spectrum – from congenial goodwill ceremonies to fireworks extravaganzas, summertime in Tokyo is never a dull moment.

I checked on the internet if and where the most convenient beaches to go in Chiba Prefecture are and then Onjuku Beach caught my eye. Onjuku Beach is only a ten minute walk from Onjuku Station. The beach will welcome you with a big cactus tree saying “Amigo Onjuku”.

Japan is a country that is proud of having its four seasons. It is also a country where temporary is a way of living. So, in order to enjoy fully each season without missing anything, let's see what are the seasonal things one can do or experience in Japan.