Japan is a country that boasts four distinct seasons and in most parts of the country people can enjoy spring, summer, autumn and also winter. My favorite season is spring, when the weather is just best and outside in nature everything is still so fresh and pleasant. Of course, I can also appreciate the other seasons and actually I like it all year round here in Japan, the archipelago in the Far East that even after a few years is still so exciting and stimulating.

And that's why I also love summer, although it can quickly become a bit too much. Week-long temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius and very high humidity were a big challenge for me, especially in the beginning. But over the years I have started to get used to it and just try to make the best of the circumstances. After all, I can't change the weather, so I might as well try to enjoy it as much as possible.

And where spring and autumn lures and invites me to many hikes and walks, in summer I am increasingly drawn to the beach. At least at the end of the day I can find a little cooling in the waters of the Japanese sea. And also in terms of cuisine, there is so much to discover in the summer, so that I really appreciate this time of year.

But also the traveler to Japan does not have to avoid summer. On the contrary, the Buddhist Obon event finally gives many Japanese a few days off and many people use this chance to travel a bit. Even if it is the hottest time of the year, but especially in Japan you can't choose your vacation time.

And if you plan a little ahead, you can often find a little refreshment even during these hot days. Some people prefer to spend most of the day in air-conditioned rooms, but fortunately the wise traveler is not limited to that. Even outside the air-conditioner-packed metropolises, you can often find a shady and cool spot, and in addition, you're finally out of the cities and in nature and the countryside. Because of all the rain in June and July, it still grows and greens so lush everywhere in August, an atmosphere that contributes a lot to being able to enjoy this time of year.

In today's post, I kinda look back on a part of my first trip here in Japan, when we took a ride around the main island of Honshu in the middle of mid-summer, and when I was still a complete greenhorn here in the land of the rising sun. And even though I sweated more than I would have liked, we always found wonderful cool and refreshing oases to relax and rewind.

And today I want to look back on that...

Some time ago, during my first trip to Japan, we were hitting the the road with a rental car and were exploring the area near Mt. Fuji, among many other places. From Tokyo it only takes a 1 or 2 hour ride to Mt. Fuji, the highest and most famous mountain of Japan, and around there are some famous tourist destinations. We had stopped in the town of the same name and then had a little look around the area. As I mentioned before, it was my first trip to Japan, so almost everything was somehow exciting and fascinating for me. Even such a map as on this picture, had to be absolutely photographed. Somehow it was all making sense and coming together later

First we headed for Ohishi-ji, which turned out to be my first temple which I visited here in Japan. After some first hot days in gigantic metropolitan Tokyo it was very pleasant to drive around and to have a look at the country and the people. And even if it was just as hot and humid as in the city, the impressions I was able to gather there were amazing. And the many green in this temple had at a very relaxing and also refreshing and lasting effect on me.

Already the entrance gate made an impact and made me look like a little dwarf. And also the following walk over paved ways between numerous stony pillars and the different residential buildings made me feel exactly the way many would have painted their picture of Japan.

And the best thing of all was that the whole complex was almost deserted and it seemed as if it had been arranged perfectly for our visit. And so we were able to leisurely stroll and look around the various paths and gardens and enjoy this lovely ensemble. Sometimes it just works out.

On me the whole complex made the impression of a monastery, and I had thought that some people would live here after all. Even though we just could not discover them anywhere. Everything was super well-kept, and has had a very special appeal to me.

I like visiting Monasteries but also temples as they are always very relaxing, probably for this very reason I visit such places over and over again and look around quietly and breathe in the atmosphere. Although I have not much to do with Buddhism, as with all other religions, this first temple had not missed its effect. And on this sunny and hot day, this shady and also green temple complex could also provide some nice cool down. Even if only temporarily.

And we continued our round and it became a little more mountainous and forested. Japan is for the most part covered by mountains and can therefore also score with a lot of nature. Even though many places in the country are quite difficult to access, there are still some beautiful spots to discover, especially in the area around Mt. Fuji.

At these temperatures, people are always drawn to the water, and not only at the sea, but also in the mountains. Such as at the Shiraito-no-Taki, an ensemble of waterfalls in the middle of the mountains that pour into a cool valley. A truly magical place.

On the far left, the widest of the many falls rushes down, which not only carries the most water, but also makes for a nice soundscape.

To the right, the many small falls spread out like a fan, and their water vapors provide a welcome cooling.

Of course, the Shiraito-no-Taki are no longer an insider's tip, especially not during the peak tourist season. Many people and especially many children seem to appreciate this place, for a short or even longer break, which you can also spend in the restaurant or at some of the shops outside.

Shiraito-no-Taki 白糸の滝, the White Threads Waterfall, is on the list of Japan's top 100 waterfalls, and is very easy to reach from the parking lot not far away. At a total width of 200 meters and a height of about 20 meters, the water masses rush down into the valley and offer a wonderful sight that makes you not want to leave so soon.

Doesn't it look wonderful how the waterfalls really look like white threads. With this sight, who would be in a hurry to move on? We and many other people around us certainly not, and therefore we took the time to enjoy this spectacle and the refreshment which this place offers so freely.

Near Mt. Fuji there are also several caves, some of which can be visited. The most famous are the wind cave and the ice cave, we had then decided for the latter, because we were still up for some more refreshment.

Narusawa Ice Cave is about 137.2 meters long and the deepest bottom of the cave is about 21 meters below the surface. It is a lava tube formed by the eruption of Mt. Fuji in 864 AD. The temperatures in there fluctuate around the freezing point all year round, and you can see impressive stalactites made of ice . The ice was "harvested" during the Edo period and used to cool food, then later the cave served as a natural cold storage room for silk moth cocoons.

After entering the cave, a tour leads past various ice deposits that seem to have been stored here for a long time. Outside the sun sizzles at over 30 degrees and here a few meters underground you would get quite cold after a while. Fascinating!

For Central Europeans people room heights in Japan take a bit of getting used to, and even here underground you have to be careful not to hit your head. But if it would come to an accident like that, at least you would have enough cooling material at hand and you would be able to give first aid yourself.

The ice blocks are neatly lined, as if a few giants were about to throw a cocktail party. The walk down here made me briefly forget what the temperatures were like outside. Down here we were in a cold and icy paradise.

Or was it rather a wonderland? Because in many places you could see these magnificent stalactites growing down from the ceiling longer and longer. A great sight, and at the end of this little tour I was wonderfully refreshed and even after we arrived at the top and outside again, the summer weather that afternoon couldn't bother me anymore. On the contrary, I felt wonderfully refreshed physically and also mentally and my batteries were fully charged. And I was already full of anticipation about what the next day would bring.

And since I was able to experience a lot more, I will be back soon to share with you more impressions and pictures from the land of the rising sun. As for now, I wish you all a wonderful and stress-free week, no matter how hot or cold it will be.

またね matane

[//]:# (!pinmapple 35.478432 lat 138.666765 long Summer in Japan may be hot - but there is always a place to stay cool d3scr)