August is the season of Obon（お盆）, one of Japan’s most important holiday periods. It is also the peak of summer, with hot and humid weather continuing throughout the month.
Many festivals and fireworks displays are held across the country during this time. At the same time, August is also the season when heavy rain and typhoons are more likely to occur.
Around August 8, the traditional Japanese calendar marks Risshu（立秋） (the Beginning of Autumn). However, in recent years, intense summer heat has often continued well after this date.
By late August, you may begin to hear the songs of higurashi cicadas, and cooler evening breezes gradually signal the approaching autumn.
August is also the best season to enjoy delicious watermelons, grapes, pears, and peaches.
Obon Holiday
Many companies in Japan have an Obon holiday (summer vacation), usually from August 13 to 16.
Although Obon is not a national holiday, many businesses close for several consecutive days. This tradition of taking an extended summer break during Obon is unique to Japan.
Obon is a traditional Buddhist and folk custom during which the spirits of ancestors are believed to return home to visit their families.
Long before Buddhism arrived in Japan, Shinto ancestor worship included the belief that ancestral spirits returned during the New Year and summer. Over time, these beliefs merged with the Buddhist Urabon-e ceremony, creating the Obon traditions we know today.
One uniquely Japanese custom is displaying Shoryouma (Spirit Animals) made from cucumbers and eggplants.
A cucumber horse is believed to help ancestors return home quickly, while an eggplant cow allows them to return slowly to the spirit world while carrying many offerings. These customs symbolize hospitality and gratitude toward one’s ancestors.
It is also said that during the Edo period, servants were allowed to return to their hometowns twice a year—during New Year and Obon—and that this tradition influenced today’s summer vacation culture.
Many people travel back to their hometowns to spend time with family, while others enjoy domestic or overseas vacations. During this period, train fares, airline tickets, and hotel prices are often higher than usual.
Festivals and Fireworks
August is one of Japan’s biggest festival seasons.
The Aomori Nebuta Festival (August 2–7), Akita Kanto Festival (August 3–6), and Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6–8) are collectively known as the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku.
Other famous events include the energetic Yosakoi Festival in Kochi (August 9–12) and the lively Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima (August 12–15).
Many local communities also hold Bon Odori, traditional dance festivals where people gather in circles to dance together at shrines, temples, schools, and parks.
Fireworks festivals are held throughout Japan during August.
Among the most famous are the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival (August 2–3), known for its spectacular Phoenix Fireworks, and the Omagari National Fireworks Competition, held on the last Saturday of August.
Summer Internships
While many people are enjoying their summer vacation, August is also one of the busiest times of the year for university students looking for jobs.
Many companies place significant emphasis on summer internship programs, accepting large numbers of students.
Most Japanese university students participate in internships during the summer of their third year.
Although internships are officially intended as educational programs rather than recruitment activities, many companies use them as part of their hiring process. As a result, job hunting in Japan effectively begins during the summer of a student’s third year.
JLPT
Applications for the second JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) of the year, scheduled for December 6, begin on August 17.
The application period runs until September 7, but some test locations reach capacity within about two weeks after registration opens.
If you plan to take the exam, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible.
Immigration offices and municipal government offices remain open during the Obon holiday. However, some procedures may take longer than usual due to staff taking vacations.
If you applied for a job just before Obon, it is also common for companies to contact applicants only after the holiday. Don’t worry if you don’t receive an immediate response.
Finally, be careful of heatstroke, stay hydrated, and watch for heavy rain and typhoons during this season.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
