Summer in Tokyo
Your guide to sunny days in this vibrant city
In Summer as the temperature rises in Tokyo, so does the city’s excitement for longer days, balmy nights and escapes to nature, seasonal cuisine and cultural festivals.
Temperature and Clothing
Summer in Japan begins in June and continues on until the month of August. The average daytime temperature in June comes in at around 22 degrees Celsius while July and August sit at around 27 and 26 degrees respectively. The season can be hot and comparatively more humid than your home country, but staying comfortable during your stay is possible with the help of a few handy local tips.
We recommend packing light clothing made out of breathable material. Cotton t-shirts, blouses and shorts are great for day-time exploration while a linen shirt or summer dress makes for a smart evening look without compromising on cooling ability. If you are sensitive to the sun, a hat, sunscreen or mist spray might be useful to carry around to ensure you don’t feel overheated. Some train stations will hand out uchiwa, a plastic Japanese fan, which are a simple but effective in keeping the heat at bay. You can also plan your itinerary so that the outdoor components such as visiting parks, occur earlier in the day or towards the evening, leaving you indoors during midday for shopping in Ginza or appreciating the samurai museum in Shinjuku.
Seasonal Produce and Cuisine
Japan is a country that is known for adhering closely to the seasonality of their produce. This philosophy supports the agricultural industry while empowering chefs and kitchens across the nation to utilize only the best fruits, vegetables and seafood that are available. You can expect delicious Japanese food to reach an even higher level of tastiness, through embracing the best produce of the season.
Examples of delicious Spring delicacies include, unagi (eel), uni (sea urchin) and hirame (flounder) which you will find gracing the menus of most sushi restaurants and izakayas (Japanese-style bar) throughout Tokyo. Vegetables such as eggplant and tomatoes are also best during these months, but don’t miss the opportunity to try some quintessential Japanese vegetables such as bitter melon, myoga (Japanese ginger) and shiso leaves. Fruits of this season like the muskmelon, peach and yuzu (Japanese citrus) will be available at most groceries or departmental stores, but do check out dessert cafes that will have entire menus dedicated to these seasonal fruits. A popular Japanese summer dessert is kakigori or shaved ice. You can find simply-made kakigori topped with syrup at festivals but for a gourmet experience, visit a specialty store that utilizes powdery soft ice paired with high quality fruit.
Festivals and Things to Do in Tokyo
The heat of summer in Tokyo can be overwhelming but the trade-off is that there is a plethora of activities to do during this season. Hanabi or fireworks festivals are a key highlight to summer. You can participate like a local by wearing a yukata (summer-style kimono), and enjoying Japanese street food, while appreciating fireworks that brilliantly light up the sky. There are also modern-day music festivals such as Summer Sonic and Fuji Rock which yearly attract crowds of music lovers from all over the world.
Island and beach trips are also very popular during this time of year and Tokyo is the perfect gateway to some of the best. Tokyo Bay, Chiba and Kanagawa are great beach side locations within Tokyo, and offer a quick and easy break from the bustling city life. Similarly, the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is just a few hours away by ferry. Surrounding the peninsula are dozens of volcanic islands, of which nine are inhabited and make for a great vacation that combines both a stunning coastline with soaring mountains and lush greenery.
MORE THAN AN ESCAPE. WE ARE A CONTINUATION OF YOUR TOKYO JOURNEY.
ANA InterContinental Tokyo mirrors the rich diversity of this city. The dynamic buzz of the lobby calls to mind some of Tokyo’s famous street scenes. The hotel’s exceptional food experiences evoke the city’s world-class dining reputation and the urban sophistication of Club InterContinental reflects the sanctuary to be found in the many local temples and shrines here. All this, whilst history is quietly being written inside its elegant Japanese banquet halls.
Our Rooms
Classic, Executive Deluxe and Premier guest-rooms offer a choice of views to Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Gardens or to Roppongi. Refurbished, luxury Club InterContinental guest-rooms and suites complement the exceptional experience offered in the hotel´s Club InterContinental Lounge.
Our Location
Our Akasaka location in the heart of the city is walking distance to Tokyo Tower, The Imperial Palace and The Diet, the seat of Japanese government. The famous shops of Ginza and the nightlife of Roppongi are nearby. Three Tokyo Metro stations in the neighbourhood, connect guests with the rest of Tokyo and beyond.
