Thick clouds conceal the tip of Mt. Katsuga in Kozai, Takamatsu.
Just like Scotland, then.
Grey skies above.
Mist and rain.
For prefectures like Kagawa (an especially dry prefecture that lacks water reserves), it can be a real boost for farmers growing their rice crops. In Japan, many people have little rice paddies scattered within the suburbs and the countryside where they grow their own rice crop. Rice needs a lot substantial amount of water to grow, and so the rainy season can really help these guys out. The water-filled rice paddies (called 水田 or "Suiden") and the farmers tending to them are an iconic image of early Summer in Japan.
Water-filled rice paddies.
The small openings at the side of the road flow rapidly during the rainy season.
Systems like this allow for control.
There's a few other iconic images of this time of year besides just rain and rice. As well as the grey skies and rain itself, the mountainous terrain of Japan takes on a distinct seasonal appearance as the peaks of hills and mountains disappear into the clouds. Many small drain systems run down the side of the road, flowing with a constant stream of water. Elementary school children walk home with bright yellow umbrellas - a parade of which is very iconic on a rainy day.
Large puddles like this are commonplace in June.
Shougakkou students walking with their umbrellas.
Image stolen from Flickr.
Frogs ("kaeru" in Japanese) are so commonplace that they can be heard on masse as soon as you leave the house in the evening - and sometimes they're so load that you wont even have to leave their home to hear the croaking! They turn up in the unlikeliest of places, including my local Aeon department store. You can also - if you're lucky - see small little crabs running around (I live next to a harbour, so there's been quite a few for me!).
A Japanese tree frog. Image taken from InterestingEverything.com.
A frog climbs a window at my friend's flat in Wakayama.
Crabs!
Unfortunately, it's still hot. I've spoken a lot about how hot Summer in Japan can be, and the rainy season may see a slight drop in temperature but still maintains a fairly high heat and humidity. It's a very odd experience to step outside into rain and to not cool down. That said, it is a lot cooler than the intensity of Summer at it's peak, and it's definitely easier to stay hydrated.
Rapids in the river.
This year, the rainy season hasn't been so rainy. There have been a few days of rain here and there (and in some cases intense storms with the heaviest thunder and lighting I've heard in my life), but for the most part it hasn't been as bad as it is said to usually be. Unfortunately, it decided to rain on almost all of the days I've wanted to hang my washing on the line. Regardless, the "season" will be over soon, and we'll head into the blistering heat of Japanese summer at it's peak.
That is something that I'm very much not looking forward to.
