It seems as if summer has finally arrived on our doorsteps. There have been some great days of warm and sun, hopefully there will be more to enjoy soon! It seems like this may be the best time to take a nice walk, or even spend an afternoon in a park for a picnic!

Japan is most definitely in the midst of summer. It's been hot and humid, so it has been important to find ways to cool down to enjoy all the summer festivities. Imagine the lush trees and their leaves blowing in the wind, with the sound of cicadas chirping, it might be one of the best soundscapes of summer. The rainy season was also at its peak, but hopefully coming to an end soon, however it may still be a good idea to keep your umbrella on hand, it may help to protect from the sun.

The season of festivals continues to march on, and the middle of summer means that fireworks festivals are abundant. Coming up tomorrow is one of the most popular festivals in the country, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival. Usually quite a busy affair, make sure to arrive early if you want the best views. Hydrangeas were out in all their beauty, the temple Meigetsu-in in Kamakura is always a top spot to see these stunning flowers. It is also becoming prime time to visit some of the northern islands, Hokkaido is a great place to escape some of the heat during summer, and when the snow is melted you can go on a wide variety of hikes and other outdoor activities. The Hokkaido Shrine Festival and Yosakoi Soran in Odori Park in Sapporo were also held to commemorate the beginning of summer.

This month we have things to see in Oita Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture, artisan works, the islands of Kagoshima, and more - let's get into it!