Four Seasons In Kyoto
As in any other parts of Japan, Kyoto has four distinct seasons
Located in the basin, Kyoto is very hot and humid in summer and cruelly cold in winter. Winter lasts from December to February. The weather is in particularly cold in January and February. People feel as if they were in a refrigerator. The coldness may be unbearable for those who are not accustomed to it. Cold air masses from the continent is responsible for it.
The average temperature of March is about 8 degrees Celsius. Around this time of the year plum blossoms start to bloom. They tell the advent of spring in Kyoto. People feel relieved to feel a long winter is finally over. For people who endure a cruel winter, cherry blossom viewing is a special event they look forward to. They burst their joy in cherry blossom viewing by singing and dancing, eating and drinking. Cherry blossoms may be a reward from Kami (Japanese God) to the people who bear a cruel coldness.
In the middle of June the rainy season starts. The rain falling in the rainy season is called samidare. During the season it rains on and off.
When summer comes, people experience sweltering heat in the midst of afternoon and have to endure a humid, sleepless night at night.
In the old days they didn't have cooling devices. They made a terrace over a river and enjoyed eating dinner in the cool breezes. Along the Kamogawa river in Kyoto, you can see many wooden terraces called yuka.
Towards the end of September, Kyoto becomes comfortable again. Autumn is the second best season for tourists. Kyoto is crowded with many people from home and abroad. In late November, autumn leaves turn into a Japanese silk brocade. Mountains and hills look like a gorgeous landscape picture.
Again in December people are prepared to live in a refrigerator.
