Japan Seasons Calendar: Encyclopedia of the 72 Microseasons
- Shinya Yamada
- Sep 24
- 6 min read
What Is the Japan Seasons Calendar?
The Japan Seasons Calendar is not just a way of marking time—it is a poetic encyclopedia of nature itself. Known as the 24 sekki and 72 microseasons, this ancient calendar transforms the year into 72 chapters, each recording delicate changes: a bird’s first song, a flower’s first bloom, the moment rice seedlings sprout. In this guide, we introduce all 72 Japanese seasons, making it the most comprehensive resource for travelers who wish to see Japan through the lens of its traditional seasonal rhythm.
Beyond the familiar 4 seasons in Japan, this system—originally from China and refined during the Edo period to fit Japan’s unique climate—was never just an abstract construct. It served as a practical guide rooted in rice cultivation, sericulture, and the everyday lives of farmers and townspeople.
For modern travelers, the Japan seasons calendar is like a hidden key. It reveals how subtle natural shifts are woven into culture, from food to festivals. Take ohagi, for instance: a humble sweet rice cake with red bean paste, enjoyed during Shūbun (the Autumnal Equinox). This single confection embodies gratitude for the harvest, reverence for the autumn hagi flower, and the practice of honoring ancestors.
This sensitivity to seasonality remains vibrant today. You can experience it in wagashi (traditional sweets) that change with each bloom, or in ryōtei (traditional Japanese restaurants) where menus are updated every two weeks, and even the rice (gohan) reflects the harvest cycle.
The calendar shows when. But to truly understand how and why this spirit of seasonality is expressed so artfully, one must turn to the karyūkai (geisha districts). In Kagurazaka, for example, geisha dances, kimono patterns, and even sake cups mirror the current micro-season. For that cultural story, we invite you to read our companion article. For now, use this encyclopedia of 72 Japanese seasons to discover which poetic moment your Japan journey falls into.
春 | Spring
立春 | Risshun (Beginning of Spring)
東風解凍 (Harukaze Kōri o Toku): The spring breeze melts the ice. Around February 4-8.
黄鶯睍睆 (Uguisu Naku): The bush warbler sings, heralding spring's arrival. Around February 9-13.
魚上氷 (Uo Kōri o Izuru): Fish emerge from beneath the thinning ice. Around February 14-18.
雨水 | Usui (Rainwater)
土脉潤起 (Tsuchi no Shō Uruoi Okoru): The rain moistens the soil. Around February 19-23.
霞始靆 (Kasumi Hajimete Tanabiku): Mist begins to trail across the landscape. Around February 24-28.
草木萌動 (Sōmoku Mebae Izuru): Grasses and trees begin to sprout. Around March 1-5.
啓蟄 | Keichitsu (Insects Awaken)
蟄虫啓戸 (Sugomori Mushi To o Hiraku): Hibernating insects open their doors. Around March 6-10.
桃始笑 (Momo Hajimete Saku): The first peach blossoms smile open. Around March 11-15.
菜虫化蝶 (Namushi Chō to Naru): Caterpillars transform into butterflies. Around March 16-20.
春分 | Shunbun (Spring Equinox)
雀始巣 (Suzume Hajimete Sukuu): Sparrows begin to build their nests. Around March 21-25.
桜始開 (Sakura Hajimete Hiraku): The first cherry blossoms begin to open. Around March 26-30.
雷乃発声 (Kaminari Sunawachi Koe o Hassu): Distant thunder rumbles, a sound of spring. Around March 31 - April 4.
清明 | Seimei (Clear and Bright)
玄鳥至 (Tsubame Kitaru): Swallows return from the south. Around April 5-9.
鴻雁北 (Kōgan Kaeru): Wild geese fly north to their summer homes. Around April 10-14.
虹始見 (Niji Hajimete Arawaru): The first rainbows appear after spring showers. Around April 15-19.
穀雨 | Kokuu (Grain Rains)
葭始生 (Ashi Hajimete Shōzu): Reeds begin to sprout by the water. Around April 20-24.
霜止出苗 (Shimo Yande Nae Izuru): The last frost passes and rice seedlings grow. Around April 25-29.
牡丹華 (Botan Hana Saku): Peonies bloom with their large, beautiful flowers. Around April 30 - May 4.
夏 | Summer
立夏 | Rikka (Beginning of Summer)
蛙始鳴 (Kawazu Hajimete Naku): Frogs begin to sing in the paddies. Around May 5-9.
蚯蚓出 (Mimizu Izuru): Worms emerge from the earth. Around May 10-14.
竹笋生 (Takenoko Shōzu): Bamboo shoots sprout from the ground. Around May 15-20.
小満 | Shōman (Lesser Fullness)
蚕起食桑 (Kaiko Okite Kuwa o Hamu): Silkworms awaken and feast on mulberry leaves. Around May 21-25.
紅花栄 (Benibana Sakau): Safflowers bloom in vibrant color. Around May 26-30.
麦秋至 (Mugi no Toki Itaru): The time for the wheat harvest arrives. Around May 31 - June 5.
芒種 | Bōshu (Grain in Ear)
蟷螂生 (Kamakiri Shōzu): Praying mantises hatch. Around June 6-10.
腐草為螢 (Kusaretaru Kusa Hotaru to Naru): Fireflies appear in the damp grass. Around June 11-15.
梅子黄 (Ume no Mi Kibamu): The plums ripen to a golden yellow. Around June 16-20.
夏至 | Geshi (Summer Solstice)
乃東枯 (Natsukarekusa Karuru): The self-heal plant withers. Around June 21-26.
菖蒲華 (Ayame Hana Saku): Irises bloom. Around June 27 - July 1.
半夏生 (Hange Shōzu): The crow-dipper plant sprouts. Around July 2-6.
小暑 | Shōsho (Lesser Heat)
温風至 (Atsukaze Itaru): Warm winds begin to blow. Around July 7-11.
蓮始開 (Hasu Hajimete Hiraku): The first lotus flowers open. Around July 12-16.
鷹乃学習 (Taka Sunawachi Waza o Narau): Young hawks learn to fly. Around July 17-22.
大暑 | Taisho (Greater Heat)
桐始結花 (Kiri Hajimete Hana o Musubu): Paulownia trees begin to form seed pods. Around July 23-27.
土潤溽暑 (Tsuchi Uruōte Mushiatsushi): The earth is damp and the air is heavy with heat. Around July 28 - August 1.
大雨時行 (Taiu Tokidoki Furu): Great rains fall from time to time. Around August 2-6.
秋 | Autumn
立秋 | Risshū (Beginning of Autumn)
涼風至 (Suzukaze Itaru): Cool winds begin to blow. Around August 7-12.
寒蝉鳴 (Higurashi Naku): Evening cicadas sing their melancholic song. Around August 13-17.
蒙霧升降 (Fukaki Kiri Matou): Thick mist descends upon the land. Around August 18-22.
処暑 | Shosho (Manageable Heat)
綿柎開 (Wata no Hana Shibe Hiraku): Cotton flowers bloom. Around August 23-27.
天地始粛 (Tenchi Hajimete Samushi): The summer heat finally begins to subside. Around August 28 - September 1.
禾乃登 (Kokumono Sunawachi Minoru): The rice grains ripen. Around September 2-7.
白露 | Hakuro (White Dew)
草露白 (Kusa no Tsuyu Shiroshi): The dew on the grass shines white. Around September 8-12.
鶺鴒鳴 (Sekirei Naku): Wagtails begin to sing. Around September 13-17.
玄鳥去 (Tsubame Saru): Swallows depart for the south. Around September 18-22.
秋分 | Shūbun (Autumn Equinox)
雷乃収声 (Kaminari Sunawachi Koe o Osamu): The sound of thunder ceases. Around September 23-27.
蟄虫坏戸 (Mushi Kakurete To o Fusagu): Insects hide underground, sealing their doors. Around September 28 - October 2.
水始涸 (Mizu Hajimete Karuru): Water begins to dry up in the rice paddies. Around October 3-7.
寒露 | Kanro (Cold Dew)
鴻雁来 (Kōgan Kitaru): Wild geese return from the north. Around October 8-12.
菊花開 (Kiku no Hana Hiraku): Chrysanthemums bloom. Around October 13-17.
蟋蟀在戸 (Kirigirisu To ni Ari): Crickets chirp by the door. Around October 18-22.
霜降 | Sōkō (Frost Descent)
霜始降 (Shimo Hajimete Furu): The first frost descends. Around October 23-27.
霎時施 (Kosame Tokidoki Furu): Light, intermittent rains fall. Around October 28 - November 1.
楓蔦黄 (Momiji Tsuta Kibamu): Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow and red. Around November 2-6.
冬 | Winter
立冬 | Rittō (Beginning of Winter)
山茶始開 (Tsubaki Hajimete Hiraku): The camellia flowers begin to open. Around November 7-11.
地始凍 (Chi Hajimete Kōru): The earth begins to freeze. Around November 12-16.
金盞香 (Kinsenka Saku): Daffodils bloom with their sweet scent. Around November 17-21.
小雪 | Shōsetsu (Lesser Snow)
虹蔵不見 (Niji Kakurete Miezaru): Rainbows hide from view as the sun weakens. Around November 22-27.
朔風払葉 (Kitakaze Konoha o Harau): The north wind sweeps the leaves from the trees. Around November 28 - December 2.
橘始黄 (Tachibana Hajimete Kibamu): The tachibana orange tree's fruit turns yellow. Around December 3-6.
大雪 | Taisetsu (Greater Snow)
閉塞成冬 (Sora Samuku Fuyu to Naru): A sense of blockage fills the air, and true winter arrives. Around December 7-11.
熊蟄穴 (Kuma Ana ni Komoru): Bears retreat into their dens for winter. Around December 12-15.
鱖魚群 (Sake no Uo Muragaru): Salmon swim upstream in schools to spawn. Around December 16-21.
冬至 | Tōji (Winter Solstice)
乃東生 (Natsukarekusa Shōzu): The self-heal plant sprouts once more. Around December 22-26.
麋角解 (Sawashika no Tsuno Otsuru): Deer shed their antlers. Around December 27-31.
雪下出麦 (Yuki Watarite Mugi Nobiru): Wheat sprouts beneath the snow. Around January 1-5.
小寒 | Shōkan (Lesser Cold)
芹乃栄 (Seri Sunawachi Sakau): Water dropwort flourishes. Around January 6-9.
水泉動 (Shimizu Atataka o Fukumu): Springs thaw and begin to move. Around January 10-14.
雉始雊 (Kiji Hajimete Naku): Pheasants begin to call. Around January 15-19.
大寒 | Daikan (Greater Cold)
款冬華 (Fuki no Hana Saku): Butterbur shoots begin to appear. Around January 20-24.
水沢腹堅 (Sawamizu Kōri Tsumeru): Ice thickens on the streams. Around January 25-29.
鶏始乳 (Niwatori Hajimete Tosu ni Tsuku): Hens start to lay eggs. Around January 30 - February 3
Use this calendar not just as a list, but as a lens. When you visit Japan, see if you can spot the subtle signs of the current micro-season around you. You might find that a simple walk through a park or a meal at a restaurant becomes a much deeper, more meaningful experience.
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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.
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