So what’s the difference?

It’s Obon period.

For those of you who don’t know what Obon is, you can read more about Obon from this article: Japanese Obon.

If you need to drive anywhere in Japan during Obon, avoid the major highways and toll roads. They will be most traveled.

To get anywhere you want to go faster, drive on smaller highways. While the speeds may not be the fastest, you will most likely get to your destination much quicker nonetheless…even with all the stoplights!

During Obon, traffic on major highways and toll roads can take hours to travel as short a distance as 20 kilometers because of congestion.

Drive safely, or as they say in Japanese English, Safety Drive!

It’s exciting now, but in a few days the enjoyment of going to school will be a watward thought of the past. They won’t enjoy going to school again until their next break is over, winter, and then once they begin working full-time as they think back over their youthful years.

For the past several years, high humidity always seems to come and stay right after the first typhoon passes through the Kansai region. From that point on, it is here for the duration of the summer and doesn’t go away until autumn begins coming around.

The difference between now and then is the nights. Right now, the nights are relatively pleasant to sleep through with the windows open. There’s a cool breeze that can still be felt and the air is cool enough one can sleep with a light blanket. However, after that first typhoon comes blowing through, sleeping through the nights with the windows open will be unbearable, at least for those who don’t mind sleeping and sweating at the same time.

The good news about the high humidity in Japan is that it doesn’t last long. It usually comes and goes in about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on when the typhoon comes and leave its nastiness behind.

When the area becomes mushi atsui, thick with humidity, the best way to battle it is with a nice fan with the windows open – make sure you have good window screens to keep out the pesky mosquitoes (another story) – or you can close the windows and definitely keep the mozzies out and turn on the air conditioner.

For people who have joint problems, before you go to sleep make sure the air conditioner is pointing up or away from your body so the air doesn’t blow directly on you. If you sleep with the air blowing right on you, you may wake up in the morning stiff. Cool air tends to make joints and muscles stiff, and may cause some people to cramp at night. Air conditioners can also over-dry air which could potentially bother asthmatics or those with sinus or snoring problems.

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A large majority of visitors to Gion dress up in traditional yukata and jimbe, summer kimonos, and walk around enjoying the festivities, eating, drinking and having fun.

Because it is so popular, no matter what time of the day you go, you are bound to run into large crowds of people. So prepare yourself and take liquids with you because the weather during Gion is usually pretty hot and humid.

To fully enjoy the parade, seat reservations are recommended and are available along Oike Street. Reservations are accepted from June 3rd. Reservations are 3,100 yen.

For more information, call Kyoto City Tourist Association at (075) 752-0227 between 9:00am and 5:00pm. You can also visit their website.