What is Risshun? The Beginning of Spring in Japan
Japan's spring officially begins in March, when plum blossoms bloom and daytime temperatures gradually rise.
On average Japan is a temperate country that experiences all four seasons, but its length spreads across several climates. Okinawa is much hotter in March than Hokkaido, for example. Most places in Japan, though, experience warm afternoons and cool evenings in spring.
In Tokyo, March afternoons average at about 13°C (55°F) and 5°C (41°F) in the mornings and evenings. Mid-April starts to get a little warmer with highs at 18.5°C (65°F) and lows at 10.5°C (51°F). May is the warmest month of spring in Tokyo with temperatures rising to 23°C (73.5°F) in the afternoons, and cooling to around 15°C (59°F) in the mornings and evenings.https://www.group-shinka.com/culture/usui-japan
It’s usually recommended for visitors to bring heavy coats if they’re visiting Japan in March, and light jackets later into the season. Despite the temperature swings, springtime in Japan has some of the sunniest days with hardly any humidity. It’s no wonder most people spend their time outside during the spring, especially for flower viewing.
Japan’s 24 solar terms commence with Risshun （立春） the beginning of spring, on approximately February 4 on the modern calendar. The day before is Setsubun, marking the change of seasons, and known for various traditions to ward off evil, including throwing roasted soybeans, and attaching a grilled sardine head outside the house. Although it is still bitterly cold, sprouts are appearing, and this time is seen as a demarcation in the year. Flower buds are swelling on the trees, and despite the cold, we sense the first signs of spring.
Setsubun
Setsubun (節分) is the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan. The name literally means 'seasonal division', referring to the day just before the first day of spring in the traditional calendar, known as Setsubun; though previously referring to a wider range of possible dates, Setsubun is now typically held on February 3 (in 2021 and 2025 it was on 2nd February), with the day after – the first day of spring in the old calendar – known as Risshun (立春). Both Setsubun and Risshun are celebrated yearly as part of the Spring Festival (Haru matsuri (春祭)) in Japan. Setsubun was accompanied by a number of rituals and traditions held at various levels to drive away the previous year's bad fortunes and evil spirits for the year to come.
According to the traditional Chinese calendar, setsubun marked the divisions between seasons. In Japan, the special day called Setsubun is widely observed on February 3, the demarcation between the end of winter and risshun, or the beginning of spring. Families celebrate with bean throwing and paper ogre masks.
Warm spring winds that blow from the east are called kochi. In New Year’s cards, people use expressions such as shinshun 新春 (new spring) and hatsuharu 初春 (beginning of spring), because Risshun was formerly New Year’s Day. Also, there is a custom of counting 88 days from Risshun to calculate the start of the green tea harvest, on Hachijūhachiya (around May 2).https://www.group-shinka.com/culture/setsubun-japan
Haru ichiban
Strong winds, known as haru ichiban, blow from the east and south from Risshun through to the spring equinox, heralding the arrival of spring. These warmer winds are also notably moister than the winter air.
Uguisu
The uguisu （鶯）or bush warbler, the herald of spring, is known for its distinctive call: hōhokekyo. This is referred to poetically as hatsune (the first note), a kigo or season word used in haiku, waka, and the tea ceremony to allude to spring. The uguisu is viewed as “crossing from valley to valley” as it hops from branch to branch, singing kekyo, kekyo, kekyo.
Blooming of Plum Blossoms
Japanese has various metonyms for plum blossoms, including harutsugegusa 春告げ草 (“grass that heralds spring”), kazamachigusa 風見千草 (“wind-waiting grass”) and nioigusa 匂い草(“fragrant grass”). The season begins with white plum blossoms, resembling popcorn, followed by crimson and scarlet blossoms, which exude a faint aroma, unlike cherry blossoms. In modern times, hanami 花見(“flower viewing”) refers to cherry blossoms, but in the Nara period (710–794), it was associated with plum blossoms, brought to Japan by missions to Tang China. The eighth-century Man’yōshū anthology contains 43 poems about cherry blossoms, but 110 about plum blossoms. At the time, aristocrats held poetry-reading plum blossom viewing parties, the predecessor to modern hanami.
Both Japanese and international people think of the cherry blossoms in full bloom when they think about spring in Japan. Pink petals floating through the breeze on a lazy day somehow fills you with nostalgia for the past and excitement for the present. Most foreign tourists that come for cherry blossom viewings enjoy taking long walks through places like Ueno Park in Tokyo to take pictures.
Japanese people, on the other hand, take this time to enjoy hanami where they sit under the trees, have a picnic, and spend time with family or friends. For Japanese people, hanami is about spending time with each other and viewing the flowers. Both Japanese people and foreign tourists can enjoy seasonal sakura (cherry blossom) flavored treats.
When is the best time to go to Japan for cherry blossoms?
How long a cherry blossom tree blooms varies by species, climate, and annual weather, but Tokyo’s sakura season usually starts around March 25th and peaks on April 6th. Cherry blossoms aren’t the only flowers to look out for, and there are plenty of other spring holidays to enjoy during this time.
If you miss the short, usually ten-day, cherry blossom season make sure you get a chance to see other flowers. Plum blossoms pioneer into spring before cherry blossoms, then narcissus flowers and tulips, and wisteria usually finish out the season. Recently, Ibaraki’s breathtaking Baby Blue Eyes flower display in Hitachi Seaside Park has become the new must-see event in springtime. In addition to flower viewing, spring is a time for holidays and festivals.Plum orchards across Japan stage festivals from mid-February to late March. Kairakuen in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, boasts 3,000 plum trees of 100 varieties, which are lit up in the evenings.
Seasonal Fish
The Japanese archipelago has an abundance of forests, streams, gorges, rivers, and lakes. Yamame (cherry salmon) and amago trout are protected from October, their breeding season, but the fishing season opens from February or March, attracting anglers to mountain streams in droves. Along with char (iwana) 岩永, these river fish are popular salted and grilled, or deep-fried. Kotsuzake, broiled char in hot sake, is a unique drink of the season.
Yukimagusa
Some seasonal edible wild plants are called yukimagusa 雪間草 (herbs peeking through the snow). The fuki (butterbur) is the first to bud in spring. The bittersweet plant is often served as tempura, and is popular fare.
Umeboshi
Salted pickled plums, or umeboshi 梅干し, have a distinctive mix of sour and salty tastes. They are also said to relieve exhaustion, and aid the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems.
Valentine’s Day
February 14 was originally a festival honoring Saint Valentine, an early Christian martyr. In Japan, the tradition developed for women to express their love for men, particularly through gifts of chocolate, in a custom popularized by chocolate manufacturers.https://www.group-shinka.com/culture/valentines-day-japan
Summary
Discover the profound meaning of Risshun, Japan's official start of spring, celebrated annually around February 4th. Japan's Risshun (Beginning of Spring) features various events. If you're interested, feel free to contact us.
