Quick Note: It’s Semi Time!

It’s July, and the semi are buzzing here in the Kansai Area – and around much of Japan.

Wait, Semi who?

Ah yes, semi are the famous cicadas, a sure sign to anyone raised in or familiar with Japan that summer is upon us.

Unlike cicadas in parts of the United States, for example, which only come out every X number of years, semi are an annual tradition in Japan.

And folks, these semi can make some noise!

How loud do they get?

At their maximum buzz, in a cluster in the trees for example, semi are said to be at similar decibel levels as a jet airplane.

They started up the semi symphony in the first week of July this year here in the Kansai area, pretty close to the calendar norm.

That’s refreshing, for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that it’s been a kind of odd rainy season this year.

Japan’s rainy seasons are notorious, bringing moisture not only in the form of precipitation but oppressive walls of humidity that hit you when you walk out the door.

I’m always careful to inform people about the rainy season in Japan. Not that you shouldn’t visit, but it’s not the ideal time for everyone and it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into.

Though rainy season typically runs from around June 1 to July 15 in this part of Japan, this year the rainy pattern didn’t really start until the third week of June, and even then we didn’t get a whole lot of rain.

The semi’s annual (not semiannual) appearance, more or less right on time, coincided with sunny days and soon enough the rainy season was declared over by the Japan Meteorological Agency. 

For the next 6 weeks or so, we can expect major heat, along with much of the humidity hanging around for a while. Around the first week of September, nature takes the foot off the gas pedal, and the heat begins to subside, slowly making way for autumn (which around here means the first or second week of November, at least for fall color to begin).

In the meantime, we get to enjoy classic summer in Japan.

Obon is coming, the annual pilgrimage to hometowns.

The annual high school baseball tournament takes place at Koshien stadium in these parts, too.

And a wide array of summer foods appear, many said to have the power to refresh and rejuvenate during the summer heat. Cold soba noodles are a popular dish, as are natto (fermented soybeans), unagi (eel), and a variety of summer vegetables that are fresh from the farm.

For now, we’ll listen to the semi make their music, and enjoy summer in this fabulous part of Japan.

Until next time, greetings from the Kansai Region of Japan!