Summer in Japan

[Mars Man]

Boy, oh boy and girl, do I just love these Japanese Summers ! :relief: And what's really best about them here? For me, it's gotta be more than just the festivals themselves although they really make Japanese summers, I'd say, and not just the girls on the beach--yes, even at my age, they still catch my eye--but I'd say what really makes the Japanese summers are:
The BBQ parties down by the river (or at my spread here in the hills).
All them dadburn bugs that flow into the train every time the doors open at some unmanned station in the middle of nowhere on a late July night.
The elder men in their white pajamas hanging out on the street in front of their house, sipping their Asahi Dry.
The orchestra of frogs in our back yard just as the yuudachi (evening shower) starts to hit.
All the open-ness. . .all the houses seem to have all the windows open and you can imagine that it's just one big happy family divided into different abodes, rather than a bunch of seldom seen, nor heard from next-doorers.
And yes, I even enjoy being able to get out, pull start my 'biiva' (weed eater) and cut all the weeds around the house place and down by the stream at the foot of the hill.

I mean I know the festivals and so on and so forth, and the concerts (Fuji Rock on man !!) but otherwise what makes the Japanese summers for you folks in the big Banana and other areas of built-up Japan? :-)

[Dutch Baka]

japanese summer is to hot /hummit in here hahahaha....

but yeah yesterday i went to Universal studio's and to get wet in there and this nice sun, is great!!!!!!!!!!

[Mike Cash]

Come to work with me and see how much you love Japanese summers then.

[Mars Man]

Come to work with me and see how much you love Japanese summers then.


Well, mikecash, I would be willing to give it a shot (not that I logistically/financially could) :p but I wonder, just what is it you do? I have to do a fair bit of outside work about the homestead here, and I'm presently remodeling the dozo. Wait, are in the roofing trade? In that case, brother, my hardhat's off to you !! :-)

Oh, and I forgot to mention grilled eel, unagi, that really makes a Japanese summer a Japanese summer.

[Harvey]

just what is it you do?
Everyone knows that Mikecash is a truck driver! He's famous for that!

[Mike Cash]

Shhh! I don't want my mother to find out.

[Mars Man]

:cool: Shhh! I don't want my mother to find out.


O.K. I'll keep it a secret. But hey, if that be the callin', then I think I'd enjoy it, actually--only the time schedule. . .

Anyway, I hope all of you can really enjoy the best of summer Japan can give us, this time 'round again. Today I'll have some 23-25 people (mostly students from the uni) over for an all-dayer. BBQ, soccer (yes, I put up two goals, and there is a mowed pitch of some 16 meters by 6 meters), badminton (in a lawned out tanbo some three tanbos up from the soccoer jo),
and in the dozo, darts, cards, and chess. Frisbee's in the front yard outside the gatehouse. Mikecash, my man, why don't you swing that 18 wheeler up Shinshu ways some bright sunny Summer day, stop by and sit over night out under these stars with the flames dancing to the rythym of some low down dirty blues ( if you're into that genre--I got others) while we praise the master brewers over at Yebisu !! Hey, It's on me, my friend !!

[Jack]

Shhh! I don't want my mother to find out.

so what does your mum think you do?

[Mike Cash]

so what does your mum think you do?

She thinks I have a respectable job, playing piano in a cathouse.

[Mars Man]

She thinks I have a respectable job, playing piano in a cathouse.


O.K. I've got a keyboard here, and I play the blues on the 6-string, and we've got three felines at our place, so why not drop on by sometime--before the summer runs out--and enjoy some eats and drinks. :gohan: :beer:

ps. bring the whole family !! :wave:

[Pachipro]

You bring back alot of memories Mars Man.

Alot of people think I am crazy, but I just love Japanese summers, humidity and all. The sound of cicadas, cold mugi-cha, zaru-soba, beer gardens, fireworks, festivals with lamune, watermelon with salt (!) baseball games- both professional and high school, and the smell of the ever-present katori senko incense to kill mosquitos. And the usually twice a summer jaunt to Niijima Island or Shimoda to enjoy the beach for a few days with a stay at a minshuku.

I remember walking to the station to go to work or school in the morning and being drenched in sweat. Back then there was no air-conditioning on the trains, so you stood by an open window to feel the breeze and cool off. And then you were sweating by the time you walked to your destination. The same on the way back home. As soon as you entered the house and sat down, the sweat would start dripping. Time for a cold shower and then a cold beer and cold edamame. Windows wide open with the sound of crickets outside. At bedtime you just slept under a sheet with the fan blowing.

How I ever survived Japanese summers I don't know. But there was no air-conditioning back then. You just lived with it.

[Mars Man]

Oh Pachipro, don't you just know it !! I mean, we all like to keep relatively cool, of course, but the natural nature of the Japanese Summer is something I feel all should experience at least once in their life. And I would strongly suggest doing it in the countryside, not in the city--esp. the BIG city.

You hit the nail right smack-dab on the head with your description. Boy/girl, let me tell you, I'm sitting right here, right now in our 4.5 jou tatami living room with the window wide open to my back. The bugs are screaming and singing, and just getting down in their short lives. The warm, slightly moist air (remember, I'm at the foothills of the Alps, so the humidity is less than down near the sea) carrying all the sounds of the man out plowing his field, then three or four house up the hill, someone with their weed-eater out (you'll never hear that in the winter, and seldom in the States, I'd think.) Another thing you'll probably recall, is the summer gift-giving thing; and the postcard sending thing (twice a year in Japan, but the summer 'chugen' card sending thing is much less than the New Year's sending thing).

We do not use a cooler at our place--I wouldn't have one--only the fans. Well, I've gotta run into the kitchen and take out that big jug of mugicha (barley tea) and do some chugging. Catch you later !! :wave:

[Ewok85]

What I love most about summers in Japan is being the ONLY person to be wearing shorts, ah they have no idea what they are missing out on :)

[Mars Man]

Interesting point there. When were you in Japan last?

I'd agree, you see probably fewer shorts wearers here than in the 'West', but I'm not so sure that that isn't changing these days. The younger guys are often wearing the kind of 'surfer' long shorts these days. The girls, well, that's a different story. Here in Matsumoto we have a 'bon' dance at the beginning of every August. Half of the city center is closed to traffic, and many troupes dance in the streets to bonbon music. All the girls are in those short, shorts with the happis, right along with the boys. That's nice (there was one thread on Japanese girls' legs; that poster should come here at that time if 'he' wanted to investigate further) to admire, I must admit.

Where in Japan were you at that time, if I may ask? :wave:

[ArmandV]

When we toured Japan last summer, I only packed one pair of slacks and the all I mainly wore were shorts and t-shirts. The humidity is something else, but after a while you get kind of used to it.

[Ewok85]

Tokyo, I've got some pics of me in Asakusa during a festival there, those guys know how to dress! :D
Last there in 2003, should be there again in 3months time.

[nice gaijin]

have the cicadas died yet? We'd walk down the sidewalk and everyone's like "ahh my ears are bleeding, must be the sounds of summer!"

[Mars Man]

have the cicadas died yet? We'd walk down the sidewalk and everyone's like "ahh my ears are bleeding, must be the sounds of summer!"

No they haven't. In fact while I was out digging today, in order to lay another line from the switchbox to the dozo (kura), one suddenly zipped out of the large bush that was rubbing up against while swinging that pick. The cats get one from time to time too. I guess they'll be around for another two weeks tops.

Now the dragonflies are starting to become a bit more noticeable. They'll increase until late Fall, then fly off--so to speak.

Yo! Ewok85, if you happen to make up this way at all, by all means give me a call. If you need a place to crash out for a night or two, we've got it. :sleep:

[Ewok85]

I went up to Nagano for a gasshuku in summer, it was BEAUTIFUL up there, very different to what I'm used to here in Aus :) Up early for a jog throught the mountains, playing in the mountain rivers, nights in a otenburo followed by beer and bbq bits and pieces. Great way to lose some stress from being in the big city, I'll keep it in mind :D

[Mars Man]

O.K. Please do keep it in mind. But at the same time, please keep it in mind that November will be a bit chilli--we still may be able to enjoy a BBQ out beside the kitchen, but it'll be c-c--col-l-ld!

Anyway, drop by if you're in the area. Before you leave to come to Japan, let me know and I'll private msg you my cell phone no. and address. :wave:

[blade_bltz]

What I love most about summers in Japan is being the ONLY person to be wearing shorts, ah they have no idea what they are missing out on

Ahh someone else who's noticed this. I was in Japan earlier this summer and it always stunned me how many people I saw walking around with jeans and other long pants on. Jeans!!!! That's madness. I'm essentially unperturbed by most of Japan's more striking peculiarities, but I don't understand this one. Are shorts that unfashionable?

[ArmandV]

Ahh someone else who's noticed this. I was in Japan earlier this summer and it always stunned me how many people I saw walking around with jeans and other long pants on. Jeans!!!! That's madness. I'm essentially unperturbed by most of Japan's more striking peculiarities, but I don't understand this one. Are shorts that unfashionable?


Apparently so. Last year, when we were planning our group tour to Japan, we were asked if wearing shorts are okay since Japanese men (or women) don't seem to wear them. We took the position that "we're not Japanese" and just told everyone to dress comfortably. I did see a few Japanese men wearing shorts, not many.

If any of us got gawked at by the locals, we didn't notice or cared.

[Mars Man]

Apparently so. Last year, when we were planning our group tour to Japan, we were asked if wearing shorts are okay since Japanese men (or women) don't seem to wear them. We took the position that "we're not Japanese" and just told everyone to dress comfortably. I did see a few Japanese men wearing shorts, not many.

If any of us got gawked at by the locals, we didn't notice or cared.

:shock: You well traveled people are givin' me some teachin' there !! Wow, I think I may have had more rub off on me in these some past twenty years than just the wood from the low door frames. I mean I now have been made aware of the fact that I may have been a bit guilty of gawking as well; right along with my Japanese mates. And I don't mean gawking at the occasional Japanese shorts wearer (& I mean female here)f but at the 'forgeign' shorts wearer (ibid) !! Oh no...... :silly: :winklove:

[ArmandV]

:shock: You well traveled people are givin' me some teachin' there !! Wow, I think I may have had more rub off on me in these some past twenty years than just the wood from the low door frames. I mean I now have been made aware of the fact that I may have been a bit guilty of gawking as well; right along with my Japanese mates. And I don't mean gawking at the occasional Japanese shorts wearer (& I mean female here)f but at the 'forgeign' shorts wearer (ibid) !! Oh no...... :silly: :winklove:

Can you spot the gaijin? :-)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b275/ArmandV/PeacePark.jpg


Our group in Peace Park in Hiroshima.

[Mars Man]

:bravo: :hihi: That was a nice one !! Way to go. And I dig that large size. One of these days I've gotta figure out how to put pics on these posts like that. Thanks a whole lot there !! :cool:

OH, and by the way everybody, we have a cool and cloud covered sky hiding all the mountain peaks today. What has happened to our wonderful summer? Is it slowy blowing in the wind--off to the south? Well, a hunch says not just yet. :-)

[Pachipro]

You hit the nail right smack-dab on the head with your description. Boy/girl, let me tell you, I'm sitting right here, right now in our 4.5 jou tatami living room with the window wide open to my back. The bugs are screaming and singing, and just getting down in their short lives. The warm, slightly moist air (remember, I'm at the foothills of the Alps, so the humidity is less than down near the sea) carrying all the sounds of the man out plowing his field, then three or four house up the hill, someone with their weed-eater out (you'll never hear that in the winter, and seldom in the States, I'd think.) Another thing you'll probably recall, is the summer gift-giving thing; and the postcard sending thing (twice a year in Japan, but the summer 'chugen' card sending thing is much less than the New Year's sending thing).
Makes me wish I were there with you Mars Man sharing a tall, cold glass of mugi-cha, sitting on the tatami at the small table fanning ourselves with the paper fans, a fan blowing in the corner, the windows wide open, and just the sound of nature behind us. And just a slight breeze blowing. And of course the ever present katori-senko. :wave:

Yes, I still follow the gift giving custom in summer by sending gifts of melons and such to family members and friends in Japan through a Japanese company here. Also, cannot ever forget the New Years time also.

[Mars Man]

Makes me wish I were there with you Mars Man sharing a tall, cold glass of mugi-cha, sitting on the tatami at the small table fanning ourselves with the paper fans, a fan blowing in the corner, the windows wide open, and just the sound of nature behind us. And just a slight breeze blowing. And of course the ever present katori-senko. :wave:

Yes, I still follow the gift giving custom in summer by sending gifts of melons and such to family members and friends in Japan through a Japanese company here. Also, cannot ever forget the New Years time also.

Fantastic !! :cool: I mean, like, you really, really know the Japanese Summer !! That's great that you carry on with that chugen (summer gift giving, for those who didn't catch it) !! More power to you !! :cracker:

I'll tell you what I'll do. Probably we'll be having another outdoor BBQ here at the house in the up-coming week or so, & not only will I eat and drink in your honor and on your behalf--as though you were right here with us--I'll snap a few pics, and do my darnedest to get them on a post here, or in the gallery or what have you. (If you have any tips on how to do that, I'd appreciate it.) Then, on that night, it'll be good ole Asahi that I'll be a chug-a-lugging !! I can taste it already. :beer:

[Pachipro]

I'll tell you what I'll do. Probably we'll be having another outdoor BBQ here at the house in the up-coming week or so, & not only will I eat and drink in your honor and on your behalf--as though you were right here with us--I'll snap a few pics, and do my darnedest to get them on a post here, or in the gallery or what have you. (If you have any tips on how to do that, I'd appreciate it.) Then, on that night, it'll be good ole Asahi that I'll be a chug-a-lugging !! I can taste it already.
Very kind of you Mars Man. I'll be there with you in spirit, but I hope the Asahi beer is 'Asahi Super Dry' with a side of cold edamame and the BBQ includes some squid, some fried bean sprouts, and maybe some yakisoba along with the meat. Man I miss those BBQ's in Japan. A few Marudai weiners w/stone ground mustard also sounds good. Afterwards, when everyone goes home you and I can knock back a few more cold Asahi's. I'll broil some dried ika, mix some Qpi mayonaise and soy sauce together for dipping the squid in, and maybe slice a few cucumbers with a dash of miso. Of course there will be edamame and maybe some kaki-pi for munching on. Heck we might even switch to "chu-hai" before the night is done.

With the scent of the katori senko filling the air, the windows open, the fan blowing and the breeze causing the wind chimes to clink their familiar chime of summer, we'll say "compai" a few more times before crashing on the tatamis. Then we'll awake to the morning sun, maybe have some miso soup, broiled fish, rice, oshinko, green tea and start a new day again.

Man do I miss summers in Japan. :(

You can insert a few images in a post by clicking on the 'insert image' icon above or you can just e-mail them to me. I'll be glad to receive them. If you use 'insert image' I think they have to be a certain size which you can re-size in any photo editor.

[Kara_Nari]

Oh Pachipro, you're making me regret spending my summer here in Korea, when I could have been a couple of hours away in Japan!
Im hoping that it will still be of considerable suitability for barbecues when I get there... in oh! 23 days :D Im sure not too much would have changed in that time. But I have taken to carrying around another layer to wear if im out at night.
Anybody want to join me for a BBQ in Fukuoka?

[Pachipro]

I'm making myself regret it also Kara_Nari after posting that. I shoud visit more often in the summer instead of usually in the winter/spring time.

BBQ's should still be going where it is warm when you get there. I do hope you are meeting some friends or people there and that you enjoy your stay. Will you be staying permanently or is it just a visit?

If I were in Japan at the moment I would definetly invite you to stay at my place for a BBQ and such. In fact even if it were cold outside I would still have one in your honor! Good luck in your visit.

[Kara_Nari]

Thanks :D! Well this is just going to be a very quick visit, initially it was going to be a long winter visit, but comitments are starting to arise, and I should be here so as not to tarnish any future possiblities.
I think I will just make my visit a quiet one, and stay with a friend who lives in Fukuoka, but she is very busy, so there might be a lonely Gaijin on the streets of Japan drinking an Asahi Super Dry for Pachipro and of course a few more for herself hhahaha. Is drinking outside of the Combini popular here? I have made it one of my hobbies here in Korea, much to my korean friends distaste hahaha.
Its so much cheaper to buy your booze form the Combini and sit outside, order delivery and eat your food. Saves at least 50,000Won AND you get to watch as people pass by! Everynow and then a local will come and chat, share a beer and then wander on their way. Sometimes I get dragged off somewhere to do something else which is also fun. But I will always like sitting outside the trusty dairy to drink Beer.
I think it started in Thailand, because it was so hot, and you could only buy beer from 7 Eleven in some parts, because the bars would close at 1.

BBQ's in Nz are good fun too, but I dont miss them yet, because its too cold there at the moment to enjoy outside dining.
Outside dining is one of my favourite things.
When I have my own place in Korea, you will have to pop over on one of your visits :D

[Mars Man]

Pachipro sama, your wish is my command !! :bow: Ashai Dry it will be--the edamame will come fresh from the garden, and the sprouts and squid will be the best we can get here. The yakisoba will be mixed with good karubi and vegies. The weiners, well, I cheat a bit there--you see I always buy the ones they have a rather nearby (25 min. by car) Brazilian food shop, nice and spicy and cheap. That miso mix is new to me, but I'll give it a shot, I usually just use the hot miso, and sometimes mix hot pima with it.

Kara Nari sama, have no fear !! Even if you don't have the time to do it right, you can stop by the local Yakinikuya and do your thing--environment is not as good though. I have BBQs up until the end of October or so. After the eating is pretty much done, I throw some fairly large logs on the fire, and get it all warm and romantic-like to finish off the evening. Oh yeah, I always have music going; sometimes when my music friends are here, we do it ourselves.

The Summer has not fizzled out yet, and we're still enjoying every sweaty minute of it !! :atsui: :beer:

[Pachipro]

Makes my mouth water as I read it Mars Man.

The cucumbers and miso is called "moro kyu" in Japanese. It is often served in snacks as a side to whatever you are drinking. It is made by slicing raw cold cucumber lengthwise and dipping it in into a dollop of raw miso. Nice treat on a summer evening.

[Kara_Nari]

I like outside bbq's I can inside ones anytime :(
Mars man, watch out for a strange looking New Zealand girl lurking around your garden stealing your edamame, hahhha, best be sure that the fire is out before going inside too.... otherwise you might have that same somebody sleeping next to your fire mwahahahhahahaah.... you have been warned. :D

[Mars Man]

Thanks for the info there Pachiro. I've been eating the treat all this time and never really knew what the mouth-watering mix was called.

O.K. Kara Nari, I'll be sure to put up one of those net fences that we use to keep the racoon dogs out, but I'll put up a sign, in English, pointing to where the edamame plants are located. Oh, and the fireside thing is free and open, if you don't mind the cats we have curling up beside you !! :lol: That was a nice one there, Kara Nari !!! See you guys later on !! 'gotta go mow some lawn. :wave: