June in Japan: Hydrangeas and the Beauty of Rain

Is there any other country where rainy days are this beautiful?

In Japan, June marks the start of the rainy season, known as “tsuyu”. The air is humid, and the sky often gray—but even in this gloomy weather, there's something uniquely beautiful: hydrangeas (ajisai) blooming across temple gardens and city streets.

Hydrangeas are flowers best enjoyed with the rain.
They look more vivid and graceful when damp—capturing the uniquely Japanese sense of finding beauty in transience and melancholy.

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The Subtle Joy of Listening to Rain

In many parts of the world, rain is seen as something negative. But in Japan, people have long embraced the sound of rain as a soothing, almost meditative presence.

Think of:

• The rhythmic drops on a traditional tea house roof

• The quiet rustling of rain through shoji screens

• The gentle pattering on your umbrella

These moments reflect the Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi"—finding harmony and elegance in simplicity and imperfection.

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Beautiful Japanese Words for Rain

The Japanese language is rich with poetic words for different kinds of rain:

• Konukame (小糠雨) – light, misty drizzle

• Murasame (村雨) – sudden, passing showers

• Samidare (五月雨) – long-lasting rains of early summer

Such expressions show how deeply rain is woven into Japanese life and literature.

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How to Enjoy a Rainy Day, the Japanese Way

If it happens to rain on June 12th, try spending the day like the Japanese do—appreciating rain as part of life:

• Take a walk with an umbrella and admire blooming hydrangeas

• Visit a quiet café and listen to the rain while reading

• Hang a furin (Japanese wind chime) by your window and enjoy the seasonal ambiance

Rain isn't just weather here—it’s part of the culture.

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Closing Thoughts: Loving the Rain

Rather than resenting the rain, the Japanese have learned to welcome it—and even celebrate it.

Maybe that's the heart of Japanese culture:
Not resisting the seasons, but finding beauty in what they bring.

So on this ordinary June 12th, why not treat it as a day to live a little more mindfully, and culturally?