1. つゆ ( 梅雨 ) Rainy season

2. From around early June to mid-July, as spring gives way to summer, most of Japan is subject to a period of rainy weather called つ ゆ. Day in and day out, the sky remains gloomy, and temperatures and humidity rise. It is probably the least pleasant time of the year.

3. The rainy season; why?? The rainy season is caused by the collision of cold northerly and warm southerly air masses, which results in a relatively stable bad weather front over the Japanese archipelago for several weeks.

4. The table shows the average starting and ending dates of the rainy season for selected regions of Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency RegionStartEnd おきなわ May 8June 23 きゅうしゅう May 29July 13 おおさか June 6July 14 とうきょう June 8July 20 とうほく June 12July 27

5. During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles.

6. Rain is important! The early summer rain has many positive aspects, of course. It helps plants grow and flourish, and it's a valuable source of drinking water. Insufficient rainfall during つゆ usually means water shortages in mid- summer.

7. Rice planting is the act of transplanting rice seedlings from the seedbed to a rice paddy. In Japan, it usually takes place from around the end of April to late June, depending on the region.

8. The fact that mould grows easily in humid weather is a big plus in making certain foods, such as miso, soy sauce, and sake, which are important parts of the Japanese diet.

9. あじさい あじさい (hydrangea) あじさい (hydrangea) is one of the symbols of the rainy season in Japan. The flower changes its colour slightly depending on the time or climate of the day. Kamakura and Hakone are famous for あ ああ あじさい flowers.

10. Japanese children make dolls called てるてるぼうず with tissue paper or white cloth and hope to have a sunny day the next day

11. Mt.Koya Rainy weather and fog make for a most atmospheric visit to the wooded temple mountain of Koyasan and Okunoin,KoyasanOkunoin in particular.

12. Hakone, Mt Fuji The chances of viewing Mount Fuji may be low, but the lush vegetation and hydrangea flowers are double as intensive in rain than in dry weather.Mount Fuji

13. Let’s watch Japanese weather forecast! 天気予報が見ら れるサイト Yahoo! 天気情 報 ---> http://weather.y ahoo.co.jp/weat her/ 約 3 分の動画も 見られます。 http://weather.y ahoo.co.jp/weat her/