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Web Japan > NIPPONIA No.34 > Special Feature*

NIPPONIA No.34 September 15, 2005

Climate and More:
Facts and Figures

Because Japan stretches through many lines of latitude, it has a number of climate zones, from cool temperate in the north to subtropical in the south. The convoluted coastline, the mountains forming the archipelago's backbone, the seasonal winds, and the warm and cold ocean currents all combine to create a rich regional diversity within the general framework of the four seasons. The Japanese people have developed a strong affinity for the changing face of nature, and some of these changes are illustrated through statistics on this page.

Source: Annual Meteorological Science Report, 2005, Japan Meteorological Agency website

Temperature

In Japan, some places can be almost 25°C warmer (or colder!) than other parts of the country. Recently, the mercury has been known to climb above 40°C in mid-summer.

Precipitation

In June and July, the baiu (tsuyu) front moves over Japan, bringing rain to much of the country south of Hokkaido. Typhoons drop plenty of rain on the Pacific Ocean side of the country in September and October. In January, seasonal winds blow from the northwest across the Sea of Japan and drop lots of snow before they cross the mountains.

The "cherry blossom" front moves from south to north

Somei yoshino cherry trees are found everywhere in Japan except in subtropical Okinawa. They begin blossoming in late March in Kyushu and Shikoku, and by early May the pale pink flowers are decorating Hokkaido in the north.

The "blazing maple leaf" front moves from north to south

Autumn invites us to go into the country and see the red maple leaves. The kaede (maple) grows from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. The leaves begin turning in mid-October, and by the end of November the reds have reached the south.

Learn more about Japan on the Web

·	Festivals of Japan: A month-by-month listing of some of the country's favorite festivals (Japanese-language website) http://www.todays.jp/maturi/
·	Japan Meteorological Agency: Information on climate and more (English-language website) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
·	Japan Wagashi Association: Learn about Japanese confectionaries, from their history to individual characteristics (Japanese-language website) http://www.wagashi.or.jp/
·	Web Japan: Information on politics, economics, culture, traditions and more, in English and many other languages http://web-japan.org/
·	Travel and lifestyles: This English-language website from japan-guide.com has plenty of travel tips, plus information on life in Japan http://www.japan-guide.com/

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