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The Gentle Shift of Late August: Experiencing "Shosho" in Japan

As the end of August approaches, you can feel a subtle shift in the air across Yokohama and Tokyo. The intense, burning heat of mid-summer slowly softens, and a faint coolness begins to mingle with the evening breeze.

Japan has a traditional calendar system called the "24 Solar Terms" (Nijushi-sekki). This system divides the year into 24 beautifully named seasons, capturing the delicate changes in nature.

We are currently in the season known as "Shosho." Literally translated, it means "the heat stops" or "the heat subsides."

During the Shosho period, the sights and sounds of the city begin to change. The deafening buzz of the daytime cicadas gradually quiets down, replaced by the echoing call of the Higurashi (evening cicada) as dusk approaches.

For Japanese people, the sound of the Higurashi is deeply nostalgic—it is the sound of summer waving goodbye. Personifying the season in this way perfectly reflects the unique sensibility of the Japanese people.

Just as nature gradually prepares for autumn, our bodies also begin to ready themselves for the new season.

While every country has its own way of perceiving and feeling the end of summer, I believe that the way we bid farewell to the season in Japan—a country blessed with four distinct seasons—is truly unique and beautiful.

Soon, a beautiful autumn will arrive. Turning leaves, breathtaking landscapes, and incredibly delicious seasonal foods are waiting for you here in Japan.

I hope that experiencing these gentle seasonal transitions makes your daily life in Japan even richer and more fulfilling.