Beyond Four Seasons: Understanding Japan's 24 Sekki and 72 Microseasons
- Shinya Yamada
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 26
Why Revisit Japan’s Ancient Seasonal Calendar?
Everyone knows that Japan has four seasons, but what if we told you the year is actually divided into 72 subtle shifts of nature? Imagine the world changing every five days—that’s the essence of the Japanese seasonal calendar.
This system is called Nijūshi Sekki Shichijūni Kō (24 sekki and 72 kō). The 24 sekki divide the year into 24 solar terms of about 15 days each, while the 72 kō refine these further into micro-seasons of around 5 days. Originally created in ancient China more than 2,000 years ago, the calendar was revised to fit Japan’s unique climate and finalized in 1874.
Today, one of the places where this seasonal spirit is most vividly alive is in the karyūkai (geisha districts) of Tokyo’s Kagurazaka. Here, seasonality is not just observed—it’s celebrated daily in kimono patterns, dance programs, kaiseki menus, and even flower arrangements. For travelers, this ancient calendar becomes a “hidden key” to experiencing Japan’s cultural depth.
So, how do you mark the beginning of a season in your own country? Keep that thought in mind as you read on.
What Are the 24 Sekki and 72 Microseasons?
The 24 sekki and 72 microseasons represent one of the world’s most refined ways of marking time. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, the 24 sekki are based on the movement of the sun along the ecliptic, dividing the year into precise seasonal milestones such as Risshun (Beginning of Spring), Shunbun (Spring Equinox), and Geshi (Summer Solstice).
Even today, Japanese weather reports often reference them: “According to the calendar, today is Risshun…” Additionally, the equinox days (Shunbun no Hi and Shūbun no Hi) are national holidays in Japan.
The 72 microseasons, meanwhile, poetically describe subtle natural phenomena:
Kōō kenkan (The bush warbler sings)
Kasumi hajimete tanabiku (Mists begin to trail)
Sakura hajimete hiraku (Cherry blossoms begin to bloom)
These Japanese adaptations reflect a unique sensitivity to seasonal change, contrasting with the more dramatic Chinese originals of the same periods (e.g., “Insects awaken” or “Thunder sounds”). Comparing them reveals how different climates shape cultural perspectives on time.
A Traveler’s Journey Through the Seasons
To give you a taste, here are a few evocative examples from the year:
Spring: The first peach blossoms smile open (Momo hajimete saku).
Kōō Kenkan: Bush warblers begin to sing (Feb 9–13)
Kasumi Hajimete Tanabiku: Mist drifts in the sky (Feb 24–28)
Momo Hajimete Saku: Peach blossoms smile open (Mar 11–15)
Namushi Chō to Naru: Caterpillars transform into butterflies (Mar 16–20)
Sakura Hajimete Hiraku: Cherry blossoms begin to bloom (Mar 26–30)
Tsubame Kitaru: Swallows arrive from the south (Apr 5–9)
Shimo Yande Nae Izuru: Frost ends and rice seedlings sprout (Apr 25–29)
Summer: Frogs begin to sing in the paddies (Kawazu hajimete naku).
Kawazu Hajimete Naku: Frogs begin to sing (May 5–9)
Takenoko Shōzu: Bamboo shoots emerge (May 15–20)
Kaiko Okite Kuwa o Hamu: Silkworms wake and eat mulberry leaves (May 21–25)
Benibana Sakau: Safflowers bloom (May 26–30)
Kusaretaru Kusa Hotaru to Naru: Fireflies appear (Jun 11–15)
Ayame Hana Saku: Irises bloom (Jun 27–Jul 1)
Hasu Hajimete Hiraku: Lotus flowers open (Jul 12–16)
Autumn: The rice ripens (Kokumono sunawachi minoru).
Higurashi Naku: Evening cicadas sing (Aug 13–17)
Fukaki Kiri Matou: Dense fog appears (Aug 18–22)
Wata no Hana Shibe Hiraku: Cotton flowers bloom (Aug 23–27)
Kokumono Sunawachi Minoru: Rice ripens (Sep 2–7)
Sekirei Naku: Wagtails sing (Sep 13–17)
Tsubame Saru: Swallows return south (Sep 18–22)
Mizu Hajimete Karuru: Water drains from rice paddies (Oct 3–7)
Winter: Bears retreat into their dens (Kuma ana ni komoru).
Tsubaki Hajimete Hiraku: Camellias bloom (Nov 7–11)
Kinsenka Saku: Narcissus flowers open (Nov 17–21)
Tachibana Hajimete Kibamu: Citrus fruit ripens (Dec 3–6)
Kuma Ana ni Komoru: Bears enter hibernation (Dec 12–15)
Sake no Uo Muragaru: Salmon swim upstream (Dec 16–21)
Yuki Watarite Mugi Nobiru: Wheat sprouts beneath snow (Jan 1–5)
Fuki no Hana Saku: Butterbur buds appear (Jan 20–24)
(💡 Tip: On your website, these seasonal lists could work beautifully in an accordion format, letting readers explore each season interactively.)
Which microseason does your birthday fall into? Discovering it can be a fun way to connect personally with Japan’s cultural calendar.
Experiencing Seasonality in Tokyo: Kagurazaka’s Karyūkai
While the 72 microseasons originated in agricultural communities, their spirit is alive in modern Tokyo—most strikingly in the karyūkai. For over 300 years, geisha districts have embodied seasonality with unparalleled precision.
Kimono and hair ornaments change every month to reflect seasonal motifs.
Dance programs feature seasonal songs and themes.
Ryotei (traditional and exclusive Japanese restaurants) showcase seasonality in everything: flowers, scrolls, tableware, and especially food. Kaiseki cuisine divides ingredients into hashiri (early season), sakari (peak), and nagori (trailing end), with major menu changes every two weeks and daily fine-tuning based on the freshest market offerings.
This sensitivity to seasonality is considered the ultimate form of hospitality. Just as the 72 Japanese seasons mark nature’s rhythms, Kagurazaka’s karyūkai translates them into living culture.
Conclusion: A Calendar That Enriches Your Travels
So, does Japan have 4 seasons—or something much more? The truth is that while Japan is often described as having four seasons, its culture recognizes 24 seasons of Japan, further refined into Japan's 72 seasons.
For travelers, knowing about the Japanese 72 seasons transforms an ordinary trip into an extraordinary one. Whether noticing a single flower on a stone-paved street or savoring a seasonal sweet at a ryotei, you’re engaging with a timeless cultural rhythm.
Next time you visit Japan, keep this ancient calendar in mind. And if you want to truly feel it come alive, there is no better place than Tokyo’s Kagurazaka, where the Japanese 72 microseasons calendar finds daily expression in the elegance of the karyūkai.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.