Contents

    1.What is Risshū? The Ancient Beginning of Autumn in Japan

    Risshū (立秋) marks the traditional beginning of autumn in the Japanese seasonal calendar. Falling around August 7th or 8th each year, it is part of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気, Nijūshi sekki)—a system inherited from ancient China that divides the year into finely tuned seasonal markers. While modern meteorology still places August firmly in the middle of summer, Risshū is more symbolic than scientific. It represents a turning point, a quiet moment when the energy of summer begins to wane, even if the temperatures haven’t dropped yet.

    • The term 立秋 is made up of two kanji:
    • 立 (Ritsu) – to stand, to begin
    • 秋 (Shū) – autumn

    Together, they poetically mean: “autumn begins to stand”.

    This moment is less about dramatic change and more about subtle anticipation. In Japan, noticing small seasonal shifts is part of everyday mindfulness—a cultural value known as kisetsukan (季節感), or sensitivity to the seasons.

    So while the sun may still blaze and cicadas still scream, Risshū invites people to pause, look closer, and feel the first breath of autumn in the air.

    2.Autumn in August? Understanding Japan’s Seasonal Mindset

    If you’re visiting Japan in early August, you’ll likely be sweating under the blazing sun, seeking shade, and wondering:
    “How can this possibly be autumn?”

    It’s a fair question—and one that reveals a fascinating difference between traditional seasonal perception and modern climate reality.

    2-1.Traditional Calendar vs. Modern Weather

    Japan’s traditional calendar, adapted from the Chinese lunisolar system, divides the year into 24 solar terms, each lasting about two weeks. These terms don’t necessarily match modern meteorological seasons, which are based on temperature averages.

    Risshū, arriving around August 7th, doesn’t mean it feels like autumn—it simply signals that the peak of summer has passed and that nature is slowly beginning to shift.

    In fact, there’s a saying in Japanese culture:

    • 「秋来ぬと 目にはさやかに 見えねども」- 「あききぬと　めにはさやかに　みえねども」
      “Though I cannot clearly see that autumn has come, I feel it all the same.”

    2-2.A Season of Transition, Not Drastic Change

    For the Japanese, seasonal change is about nuance. It’s not about suddenly pulling out sweaters and scarves. Instead, it’s:

    • The angle of sunlight becoming softer
    • Evenings growing slightly cooler
    • Changes in insects’ songs—like the fading cicadas and arrival of bell crickets (suzumushi)

    This poetic approach to seasons reflects a national appreciation for impermanence (無常, mujō)—a key element of Japanese aesthetics and life philosophy. So yes, Risshū may fall in the hottest month of the year, but culturally, it’s the moment autumn quietly begins to stir.

    💡 Travel Tip: If you're in Japan during Risshū, consider visiting Toyama Prefecture (富山県). Nestled between the Japan Alps and the Sea of Japan, Toyama offers cooler mountain breezes even in early August. It’s a great place to feel the changing season—especially in rural areas like Gokayama, where misty forests and early morning dew hint at autumn before the rest of the country.

    3.Sensing the Shift: Signs of Early Autumn in Nature and Life

    From Cicadas to Seasonal Greetings
    While the calendar says "autumn" and the thermometer still screams "summer," the arrival of Risshū (立秋) invites people in Japan to tune into the subtle signs that the season is beginning to turn.

    3-1. Nature's Gentle Clues

    In Japan, the change of seasons isn't marked by dramatic shifts—it’s about noticing the small details in the natural world. Around Risshū, people begin to sense autumn’s quiet arrival through:

    • The fading of cicadas (蝉, semi) — Their once-deafening chorus grows softer as species begin to die off or go quiet.
    • The return of evening insects, like the gentle ringing of bell crickets (鈴虫, suzumushi).
    • Shifting skies — You may notice clearer blue skies, with high, wispy clouds called 秋の空 (aki no sora), or "autumn skies."
    • Grasses and wild plants begin to turn dry or take on a subtle brown hue.

    These quiet changes are cherished in Japan and often reflected in haiku, seasonal literature, and traditional art.

    3-2.Seasonal Greetings: From Shochu to Zansho

    Another cultural marker of Risshū is the shift in seasonal correspondence etiquette.

    Before Risshū, people send Shochu-Mimai (暑中見舞い) cards. In Japan, it’s customary to send seasonal greeting cards called Shochu-mimai (暑中見舞い) during the peak of summer to show care and concern in the heat. These cards are typically sent until Risshū (立秋), the traditional beginning of autumn. After that, they’re called Zansho-mimai (残暑見舞い) – greetings for the “lingering summer heat” that gently acknowledge the seasonal shift. This thoughtful practice reflects Japan’s deep sensitivity to nature’s rhythms and is a beautiful way to stay connected through seasonal change.

    Travel Tips: Sending Seasonal Greeting Cards in Japan

    1. Buy Them at Local Stores

    Seasonal postcards (mimai-gaki) are widely sold in convenience stores, post offices, and stationery shops like Loft or Tokyu Hands. Look for ones with summer or early autumn designs – goldfish, fans, morning glories, or crickets.

     

    2.Know When to Send What
    • Before Risshū (early August): Send a Shochu-mimai (暑中見舞い)
    • After Risshū: Switch to a Zansho-mimai (残暑見舞い)

    This small detail reflects cultural sensitivity to the shifting season and is appreciated in Japan.

    3. Post One Like a Local

    Use the red mailboxes you’ll find on most streets. A domestic postcard stamp costs just 63 yen (for local post), and you don’t need to write in perfect Japanese—a simple message in English with seasonal wishes is often welcomed, especially by guesthouse hosts or new friends.

    4. A Meaningful Souvenir

    Writing and sending a seasonal postcard while traveling lets you slow down, connect to Japanese tradition, and bring home a story much deeper than any trinket. Some ryokan and cafés even offer free postcards for guests—just ask!

    4.Tastes of Transition: Foods and Customs That Mark Risshū

    What Japanese People Eat and Do to Welcome the Season
    As Japan quietly crosses into Risshū, something magical happens – not in the air (which is still stubbornly humid), but at the dining table. Without fanfare, the menus start to shift. Suddenly, there’s grilled eggplant where there used to be watermelon, and chilled noodles now come topped with shaved ginger and a whisper of autumn herbs. You might not feel fall on your skin just yet, but your taste buds will catch the hint before anything else.

    4-1.Seasonal Ingredients Take the Stage

    While it’s still hot outside, Japanese cuisine gently introduces cooler, earthier flavors:

    • Grilled eggplant (焼きなす, yaki nasu) – A classic late-summer dish that celebrates the richness of eggplant, now at its peak
    • Matsutake mushrooms (松茸) – Though their true season comes a bit later, early varieties sometimes appear, hinting at autumn’s earthy palette 
    • Kabocha (Japanese pumkin) and sweet potatoes begin to appear in soups, stews, and tempura
    • Chilled somen noodles are still popular – but now paired with ingredients like myoga ginger, shiso, or early-season mushrooms

    The Japanese dining experience doesn’t just feed the body – it reflects the changing mood of the natural world.

    4-2.Seasonal Traditions and Subtle Rituals

    Beyond food, Risshū is a time of quiet cultural rituals that honor the turn of the seasons:

    • Families may visit local shrines to pray for health as summer ends
    • Department stores begin switching their displays to feature autumn motifs—crickets, pampas grass, and harvest moons
    • In some regions, households start preparing seasonal pickles (tsukemono) or drying summer herbs for autumn meals

    These small gestures reflect a deep cultural sensitivity: in Japan, the arrival of autumn is not sudden, but sensed—through flavors, textures, and daily habits.

     Travel Tip: For an authentic seasonal meal, look for a kaiseki restaurant or a ryokan offering a multi-course dinner that changes with the calendar. In places like Toyama or Kyoto, chefs often design their August menus to echo the Risshū spirit—with cool dishes served on bamboo trays, garnished with maple leaves or chrysanthemum petals.

    5.Why Risshū Still Matters in Modern Japan

    In today’s fast-paced and convenience-driven Japan, it’s easy to assume that something like Risshū—the “beginning of autumn” in early August—would be forgotten. But it’s not. Quietly, almost invisibly, it still shapes how people speak, eat, dress, and even think.

    You won’t see big festivals or public countdowns. Instead, you’ll notice that your iced coffee is served with a paper maple leaf coaster, or that a friend suddenly switches from “shochu-mimai” to “zansho-mimai” in a message. Stores begin to decorate with pampas grass, crickets replace cicadas in the night chorus, and the evening sky takes on a shade of blue.

    Why does this matter? Because in Japan, seasons aren’t just about weather—they’re about mood, memory, and mindfulness. Risshū isn’t about temperature drops—it’s about learning to sense the moment just before change happens.

    In a way, Risshū teaches us to slow down and pay attention—not just to Japan, but to time itself. And that’s a beautiful lesson to take with you, wherever you're headed next.

    6.Summary

    Risshū is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a cultural lens that helps Japan notice the subtle shift from summer to autumn. From changing greetings and seasonal foods to the quiet sound of crickets, it teaches mindfulness and appreciation for impermanence. By experiencing Risshū, visitors can feel Japan’s unique way of living with the seasons and find beauty in transition itself.

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