Hello. As we finally head into the second half of July, the season of fireworks festivals that beautifully color the Japanese summer is arriving. There are many wonderful fireworks festivals in Japan, but the one I highly recommend foreign residents experience at least once is the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival held in Tokyo.

Japan's Oldest Fireworks Festival The origins of this festival date back to 1733, about 300 years ago during the Edo period. It originally began as a way to console the souls of those who died from famine and epidemics, and to pray for the eradication of plagues. Today, with the beautiful night view of the Tokyo Skytree in the background, about 20,000 colorful fireworks are launched, drawing over a million visitors annually and making it one of Japan's largest summer festivals.

The Wish of the 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune The 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, is a very famous historical figure in Japan—almost like a superstar of the Edo period. In modern times, he is widely loved across the country as the model for the popular TV drama Abarenbo Shogun.

During his time as Shogun, the country faced many hardships, and he worked to solve them through various policies. For one, there was a severe crop failure known as the Great Kyoho Famine. In addition, a deadly epidemic, similar to cholera, swept through the densely populated city of Edo, claiming many lives.

Thinking about these historical events, we can see some parallels with our modern world in 2026—such as the fear of infectious diseases and the physical and mental toll caused by the rising cost of living.

Calming negative emotions born from anxiety or the fear of war, and using the fireworks to light a positive fire in our hearts—in that sense, the fireworks festival late this month might be a wonderful opportunity. It might be unfamiliar for foreign residents, but wearing a Yukata (a casual summer kimono) while enjoying the festival would also be a fantastic experience.

As we reach mid-July, the blue of the sky above us has grown even deeper. Today, I would like to explore the feeling of a Japanese summer through our literary expressions.

In Haiku, a traditional Japanese short poem, there is a strict rule that you must include one Kigo—a word that signifies a specific season. I would like to introduce three beautiful and highly evocative Kigo that color the Japanese summer.

1. Semishigure (Cicada Shower) This word compares the overwhelming, synchronized chorus of countless cicadas to a sudden, heavy downpour of rain (shigure). It is a uniquely Japanese expression that finds the power of nature and the true essence of summer within an almost deafening noise.

2. Kumo no Mine (Peaks of Clouds) This refers to the massive, towering cumulonimbus clouds that billow up in the summer sky, looking like giant mountain peaks. Their overwhelming, towering presence makes us feel the intense vitality of mid-summer.

3. Yusuzumi (Enjoying the Evening Cool) This is the practice of stepping out onto a porch or near the water at dusk to enjoy the refreshing breeze after the severe daytime heat has subsided. Entrusting oneself to the transition of nature and savoring this pleasant moment is a luxurious time in the Japanese summer.

Just as a haiku captures the delicate changes of nature in only 17 syllables, the Japanese heart holds a deep appreciation for living life in harmony with the changing seasons. To all the foreign residents in Japan: I completely understand the feeling of thinking, "The Japanese summer is too hot and unbearable," but I would be delighted if you could open your hearts just a little to the unique emotions hidden within it.

Let me share a few famous haiku that use the words I just introduced.

"Furiidete / iyoyo takanaru / semishigure" (Pouring down, the cicada shower rings louder and louder.)

This poem describes the cicadas' chorus echoing louder and louder, as if a rainstorm has just begun. It is an expression that finds the raw power of nature and the scenery of summer in the midst of a noisy chorus. When you read this haiku, you look at the letters with your eyes or hear the words with your ears, but immediately after, the sound of the cicadas undeniably echoes within your mind. Accessing another sense through sight or hearing—this sensory crossover is the fascinating part of haiku.

Let me introduce one more:

"Kumo no mine / ikutsu kuzurete / tsuki no yama" (How many peaks of clouds have crumbled away, to reveal the mountain of the moon.)

I wonder how many giant cloud peaks that surged up during the day have crumbled away to reveal this quiet, beautiful, moonlit mountain at night? This haiku depicts the grand transition of nature from the overwhelming vitality of summer during the day to the deep silence of the night.

Living in the city, we often tend to forget the emotional beauty of the seasons. But if you just look up, you will notice the beauty of the vast sky and the grandeur of the giant clouds. Furthermore, when listening to the sound of cicadas, one might emotionally wonder, "Could this be the reincarnated soul of a dear friend or family member who passed away, calling out to me?" I believe this kind of sensitivity is very characteristic of the Japanese people. This is rooted in the fact that reincarnation has been believed in Japan since ancient times.

To all the expats and foreign visitors in Japan: there will be many times this summer when the heat feels unbearable, but I hope we can find joy in the season together by embracing these subtle emotional experiences.

The Mystique of the Lotus and Morning Activities Summers in Japan get incredibly hot during the day, but there is a magical sight that can only be witnessed in the early hours of the morning. Lotus flowers begin to bloom at dawn and close around noon, making this a beautiful event well worth waking up early for. Blooming beautifully from the mud, the lotus is a highly symbolic flower. In Buddhism, it even serves as the pedestal (lotus throne) upon which the Buddha sits.

I highly recommend the Kanrenkai (Lotus Viewing) at Sankeien Garden here in Yokohama. This is a special event held from around 6:00 AM on summer weekends at this traditional Japanese garden. For a limited time during the summer, the garden opens its gates early, allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning combination of historical architecture and elegant lotus flowers. It is easily accessible by bus, making it highly recommended for those living in Yokohama.

For those living in Tokyo rather than Yokohama, I highly recommend Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park. The overwhelming scale of the entire pond covered in giant green leaves and vibrant pink flowers is truly a must-see.

I read in the newspaper recently that summers in Japan are becoming increasingly tropical, much like Southeast Asia. It is said that the average working hours lost due to the extreme heat amount to hundreds of millions of hours annually. Global warming is genuinely beginning to impact economic activities. Among the expats here in Japan, there are likely many from Europe, and I hear the heatwaves there are absolutely fierce this year—with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F), it's apparently hot enough to fry an egg using only the sun and a frying pan!

Considering all this, taking a walk in nature during the cool, early morning hours might just be the most logical and beneficial way to spend the summer season. Lotus viewing helps regulate your autonomic nervous system and brings balance to your mind. Why not give it a try this weekend?

Today, I would like to introduce a Waka (traditional Japanese poem) associated with the Chinowa-kuguri (passing through a woven grass ring) and Nagoshi no Harae (summer purification) rituals.

"The wind rustles through the oak leaves, and the evening air by the stream feels cool like autumn. Yet, the purification ritual taking place reminds us that it is still the height of summer." (Kaze soyogu / Nara no ogawa no / yugure wa / misogi zo natsu no / shirushi narikeru)

This poem beautifully expresses the delicate sensibility of the Japanese people, who have historically lived in harmony with nature, finding a sense of "coolness" in the sound of rustling leaves and the murmuring of a stream during the hot Japanese summer.

Just the other day, June 30th, was the exact day of Nagoshi no Harae. It is a misogi (purification) event held to reset the physical and mental fatigue and impurities (kegare) accumulated over the past six months, and to pray for good health for the remaining half of the year.

The Japanese summer is hot and humid, making it a season where fatigue from the dampness can easily build up. How is everyone from overseas holding up?

The Waka poem mentioned earlier has a deep charm the more you learn about it. The setting of this poem is Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, a World Heritage site. "Nara no Ogawa" is the name of the sacred river that flows through its grounds. At this sacred river, which still exists today, the very same Chinowa-kuguri and Nagoshi no Harae rituals were being performed over 1,000 years ago.

The poet who captured this ancient lifestyle of harmony with nature is Fujiwara no Ietaka. He was a very close friend of Fujiwara no Teika, the compiler of the famous Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) anthology. Ietaka's work is characterized by a generous, passionate style that dynamically captures the changing of the seasons.

The true appeal of Ietaka's poetry lies in his ability to capture nature using all five senses—not just sight, but also hearing and touch, such as the sound of rustling leaves or the coolness of the wind on the skin.

For those of us living in today’s busy world, taking a moment to feel the wind on our skin, or to listen to the murmuring of a stream and the rustling of leaves—turning our attention to this kind of mindfulness—might just bring a little healing and comfort to our daily lives.

Counting 11 days from the Summer Solstice brings us to a period starting around July 2nd, which is known in Japan as Hangesho. This time of year marks a major turning point, signaling the long-awaited end of the rainy season and the beginning of the true, intense summer.

In fact, Japan has a unique, ancient custom of eating octopus during Hangesho. This tradition, which is especially deeply rooted in the Kansai region, holds the earnest prayers of farmers from long ago. For farmers in the past, it was extremely important to finish all rice planting by Hangesho. After finishing the planting, it is said that they started eating octopus with the prayer, "May the roots of the planted rice grip the earth as deeply and firmly as the eight legs of an octopus." In modern terms, this is the very concept of "grounding"—connecting with the earth.

Eating octopus, a summer superfood that aids in fatigue recovery, is not just for good luck. In Eastern dietary wisdom, octopus is a wonderful food that replenishes "Qi" (vital energy) and "Blood," while strengthening fatigued muscles and bones. Rich in taurine, octopus helps recover a digestive system exhausted by the humidity and barometric shifts of the rainy season, providing the stamina needed to overcome the upcoming intense summer heat.

There are also some other interesting facts about Hangesho besides the octopus. For example, Hange (Pinellia tuber). This is the exact time when the medicinal herb known as Hange begins to grow. It is highly effective for ailments caused by seasonal changes, such as mental stress, and serves as the foundation for the herbal medicine of the same name.

Furthermore, Hangesho was a crucial time for farmers; it was the absolute deadline for rice planting. There was a saying, "Hange Hansaku" (Half Hange, Half Crop), reflecting the belief that planting rice after Hangesho would reduce the autumn harvest by half. Because of this, farmers fought hard to ensure all planting was completed by this time, no matter how bad the weather was.

While eating octopus on Hangesho is mainly a Kansai tradition, customs vary by region. For instance, there is a custom of eating udon noodles in Kagawa Prefecture, and yaki-saba (roasted mackerel) in Fukui Prefecture. In this way, people historically ate specific foods tailored to their regional characteristics to build stamina for the coming summer.

Now that the summer solstice has passed, the season with the longest days and shortest nights of the year has arrived. Today, I would like to introduce a famous poem from the classical Japanese poetry anthology Hyakunin Isshu that beautifully captures the fleeting nature of nights during this time of year.

"The summer night is so brief, it breaks into dawn while it still feels like early evening. Where among the clouds might the moon be hiding?"

To translate this into modern terms: "The summer night is so short; it has already dawned while I thought it was still early evening. Having had no time to set behind the western mountains, where among the clouds might the moon be hiding right now?"

Even aristocrats 1,000 years ago captured the brevity of summer nights in such elegant poetry. The fact that people preserved their memories and sceneries in such a beautiful form long before photos or videos existed is truly a symbol of beautiful human culture, regardless of East or West.

The poet who composed this verse about the short summer night and the hidden moon is Kiyohara no Fukayabu. He was a nobleman of the mid-Heian period and one of its most outstanding poets.

Furthermore, he is the great-grandfather of the famous Sei Shonagon (the author of the world-renowned The Pillow Book). His sharp, artistic sensibility was clearly passed down to his great-granddaughter. He was also a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, maintaining close friendships with the compilers of the Kokin Wakashu (Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry).

The fascinating part of this poem lies in its playful exaggeration—that the summer night is so short it doesn't even give the moon time to set—and the way it gives the moon a somewhat comical, character-like quality, as if it has a will of its own to go hide in the clouds.

It might be highly interesting for people from overseas to see that this short, ancient poem shares elements of personification and character-building commonly found in modern Japanese anime and manga.

Under this brief night sky, how will you spend your summer evening? I hope a fruitful and deeply restorative summer night visits each and every one of you.

The sticky, uncomfortable days of the rainy season continue. During this time of year, many patients visit our clinic suffering from what is known as "meteoropathy" (weather-related fatigue)—experiencing symptoms like heavy headaches, severe lethargy that makes it hard to get out of bed, and fatigue that won't go away no matter how much they sleep.

Having lived and worked abroad for several years, I have experienced many different climates firsthand. It made me realize just how uniquely intense Japan's hot and humid climate is compared to the rest of the world. Among all the different environments, Japan's "Tsuyu" (rainy season) is exceptionally harsh on the human body.

It’s not just about the rain. The rollercoaster-like fluctuations in barometric pressure send the autonomic nervous system—which controls functions like body temperature—into a state of panic. Furthermore, the inescapable humidity prevents sweat from evaporating from the skin. Excess water accumulates inside the body, stagnating like muddy water, which weighs you down and cools your core from the inside out.

In Western medicine, these symptoms are often brushed off as "general malaise." However, in Eastern medicine, it is crucial to properly eliminate this internal dampness and build a body that can withstand barometric changes.

Here are some highly recommended foods that act as natural dehumidifiers to help flush out excess water from your system:

• Foods to Drain Excess Water: Corn, Black Beans, and Adzuki Beans Beans and corn act like internal dehumidifiers. I particularly recommend "corn silk" (the fine threads at the top of an ear of corn). It has a strong diuretic effect and is excellent for flushing out retained water.

• "Yakumi" (Japanese Herbs) to Improve Circulation and Warm the Gut: Ginger, Shiso (Perilla), and Myoga (Japanese Ginger) Excess internal water damages your stomach and weakens your digestive power. Herbs and spices like ginger, shiso, and myoga help warm a gut that has been chilled by cold drinks, promote sweating, and get stagnant energy moving again.

While some of these ingredients might be unfamiliar to expats living in Japan, incorporating them into your daily diet is a powerful technique for surviving Japan's severe hot and humid season.

As we head into July, beautiful lotus flowers are beginning to bloom in Japanese gardens and temples, including Sankei-en Garden right here in Yokohama.

The lotus is a unique flower; it cannot produce its magnificent large blossoms in clear water, but only in murky, muddy ponds. In Buddhism and Eastern philosophy, there is a famous phrase: "A lotus in the mud" (No Mud, No Lotus). It is a philosophy that teaches us we can truly blossom into beautiful, healthy beings precisely because of the hardships and stress (the mud) we face.

The "mud," of course, is a metaphor. Throughout history, people have always faced the struggles and stress of their respective eras. The lotus reminds us that it is exactly by pushing through these muddy waters that we can bloom into something beautiful.

So, what is the "mud" for us living in the modern world? Navigating life as an expat in Japan, managing a high-pressure work environment, and dealing with the physical stress of Japan’s extremely hot and humid climate. For busy professionals today, all of these represent the "mud" surrounding your mind and body. However, the thicker the mud, the more beautiful the flower that blooms from it.

To bloom a beautiful flower on the water's surface, caring for the "unseen roots" deep in the mud is absolutely essential. Please prioritize your daily self-care and make sure to rest when you can. Especially during this hot and humid season, your body will break down if you don't take the time to truly rest.

During this season, I also highly recommend attending a "Kanrenkai" (Lotus Viewing Gathering). While the lotus carries some Buddhist connotations in Japan, it is an incredibly beautiful flower that anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, can deeply appreciate.

Every summer, I go with my family to the Kanrenkai at Sankei-en Garden. It is a wonderfully enriching experience that brings a deep sense of peace to the mind. If you are looking for a beautiful way to experience the Japanese summer, I highly recommend it!