 Climate & Holiday Info |
Read the guide below for an idea of what to expect throughout the year in Niigata City, including weather averages, seasonal customs, and national holidays.
A list of national holidays can be found at the bottom of the page.
| Average Temperature: |
3.0oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
203.0 mm |
| Jan. 1: Ganjitsu (New Year's Day) National Holiday |
| |
New Year's is an important time for Japanese. People exchange New Year's
greetings by saying "Akemashite omedeto!" which means "Happy New Year!" The
entrances to houses are usually decorated with a kadomatsu (a pine tree
and bamboo stem decoration) or shimekazari (made of twisted rope and
leaves). Inside the house, kagamimochi (a pair of round rice cakes) are
also displayed and special traditional New Year's dishes called osechi-ryri are
served. Finally, many people visit shrines, and pray for good fortune during the
coming year. |
| Second Monday in January: Seijin no Hi (Coming-of-Age Day)
National Holiday |
| |
This is a special day set aside to congratulate all those who have reached
or will reach the age of 20 during the current school year. A ceremony is held
and many of the young people who attend the ceremony wear traditional Japanese
clothes; men wear haori and hakama, and women wear furisode, a
long-sleeved kimono. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
This is a very cold time of the year. Be careful of colds, frozen pipes,
and fires caused by heating appliances. |
| Average Temperature: |
4.5oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
110.0 mm |
| Around Feb. 3: Setsubun |
| |
This is a practice that originated in China and was later transmitted to
Japan. In order to sweep out bad spirits and get rid of misfortune, soy
beans are scattered around the house while saying, "Oni wa soto! (Out with the evil spirits!) Fuku wa uchi! (In with good fortune!)" |
| Risshun (The Day after Setsubun) |
| |
Risshun is the first day of spring. On what day Risshun falls is determined
by transposing the first day of spring on the Chinese 24 ecliptic cycle calendar
onto the Japanese lunar calendar. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
There is a strong seasonal wind in February, and the weather is very cold.
After the middle of the month, however, the days get longer and the first signs
of spring can be felt. |
| Average Temperature: |
6.4oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
84.0 mm |
| March 3: Hina Matsuri (Doll's Festival) |
| |
On this day, people wish for the future happiness of their daughters. The
former custom was to make paper dolls and, after loading one's troubles on them,
to float them down a river. However, since the Edo period, the custom has been
to display beautiful dolls made of cloth. Although Japanese families will
usually display these dolls in their house, you can also see these dolls
displayed at department stores and hotel lobbies during this time of the
year. |
| Late March: Shunbun no Hi (Vernal Equinox) National
Holiday |
| |
The number of daylight hours and nighttime hours are equal on this day. Buddhists call the seven days falling around the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox higan, and make offerings of flowers and food to their ancestors at their home altars, temples, or graves. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
This is the month during which the school year ends and spring vacation
begins. Not only is March the season for graduations, but it is also the
end of the fiscal year and the period during which the transfer and relocation
of many company employees occurs. The City Office is often crowded and
busy with people filing their paperwork to move into and out of Niigata
City. Ume or plum blossoms often flower during this month, in beautiful shades of
white, pink, and fuchsia. |
| Average Temperature: |
12.0oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
111.5 mm |
| Late April: |
| |
Ohanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) |
| |
Many people visit parks or other spots to appreciate the beautiful cherry
blossoms. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
April is the beginning of the school year as well as the beginning of the
fiscal year. |
| Average Temperature: |
17.5oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
192.5 mm |
| May 5: Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) National
Holiday |
| |
People celebrate the day with wishes that their children will be healthy and
grow up into people of character. This holiday was formerly called "Tango no
Sekku." It was celebrated as the "Boy's Festival" and parents would pray for the
health and success of male children.
Families with young boys put up
koinobori (a carp streamer) outside and display musha-ningyo (a
warrior doll) inside the house to celebrate. Also, sasadango and
chimaki (types of rice cakes wrapped in bamboo leaves) are eaten on
this day |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
There are several successive national holidays from April 29th through
May 5th. This period is called "Golden Week," and roads and popular
sightseeing spots throughout the country get very crowded. With many clear
days, this season is probably the most beautiful in Niigata. The white
flowers of the niseakasia (black acasia) are in full bloom along the coast. |
| Average Temperature: |
21.5oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
132.5 mm |
| June 1: Koromogae (Seasonal changing of clothes) |
| |
Students begin wearing summer uniforms and "cool biz" takes effect
in offices. |
| Mid-June: Tsuyu (Rainy season) |
| |
Rainy weather begins from the middle of June and lasts for about a month.
You should take care to keep your clothing and house dry and clean during this
time. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
Irises and hydrangeas are in full bloom. Because the weather is hot and
humid, it is necessary to take precautions against food poisoning and mold. |
| Average Temperature: |
26.0oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
222.5 mm |
| July 7: Tanabata Matsuri (Festival of the Star
Vega) |
| |
It is said that on this night, the stars kengyu (the herder boy, aka Altair) and shokujo (the weaver, aka Vega) have their annual date in the Milky Way. People,
especially children, write their wishes on tanzaku (strips of
paper) and tie them to bamboo branches. |
| Around July 20: Tsuyu-ake (end of the rainy
season) |
| |
When the rainy season ends, the temperature rises and summer seems to begin
in earnest. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
Elementary schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools begin their
long summer vacations which last from late July to late
August. |
| Average Temperature: |
26.0oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
178.0 mm |
| Aug. 7-9: Niigata Matsuri (Niigata Festival) |
| |
This is Niigata City's largest festival, in which its citizens celebrate and
wish for the prosperity of the city and its ports. The festival features a folk
dance parade, a fireworks show on the Shinano River, and a procession of
portable shrines. |
| Aug. 13-16: Obon (Buddhist All Soul's Day) |
| |
Obon is the Buddhist holiday when family members visit graves and entertain
these souls with offerings of flowers and food. Families return to their
homes for this day when the souls of ancestors return to the house. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
In many towns, summer festivals are held with folk dancing and fireworks
during this month. Because many people take their holidays in August, the
roads and trains are often packed with travelers. As sightseeing locations
are also very crowded, reservations for transportation and accommodations
should be made well in advance. |
| Average Temperature: |
23.6oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
109.0 mm |
| The Third Monday in September: Keiro no Hi |
| |
(Respect for the Aged Day) National Holiday
A holiday to wish for the
long life of the aged. |
| Otsukimi (Moon Watching Festival) |
| |
This festival is held on a night with a full moon in September. This night
usually occurs around September 20th. We can watch the most beautiful full moon
of the year. In order to show thanks for the autumn harvest, susuki
(pampas grass) and rice dumplings are set out during this period. |
| Late Sept.: Shubun no Hi (Autumnal Equinox) National
Holiday |
| |
There are an equal number of daylight and nighttime hours on this day. As
the Vernal Equinox, people visit their ancestor's graves and pay their
respects. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
The rice harvests begin during this month, and the autumn air is cool and
clear. Also, typhoons, heavy winds, and rain are common at this
time. |
| Average Temperature: |
16.5oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
237.5 mm |
| Oct. 1: Koromogae (Seasonal change of clothes) |
| |
Students begin wearing winter uniforms. |
|
Second Monday in Oct.: Taiiku no Hi (Health-Sports Day) National
Holiday
|
| |
This is a day for sports and recreation and fostering a healthy body and
mind. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
Mountains are ablaze with red and gold fall foliage. Various sporting events
can be enjoyed at many places. |
| Average Temperature: |
13.0oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
144.0 mm |
| Nov. 15: Shichi-go-san (7-5-3) |
| |
On this day, parents with three- or five-year-old sons or five- or seven-year-old
daughters take their children to visit shrines. At the shrines, the parents
thank the gods for allowing the children to reach these ages safely, and
pray for the children's continued growth and good health. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
Leaves can be seen changing colors at places of lower altitude during this
month. It is a good idea to begin any winter preparations you may have. |
| Average Temperature: |
6.8oC |
| Average Precipitation: |
193.0 mm |
| Dec. 25: Christmas |
| |
There are few Christians in Japan; however many people exchange presents
and spend the day engaging in festive activities. Christmas is often a
special day for couples. |
| Dec. 31 Omisoka (New Year's Eve) |
| |
People eat long buck-wheat noodles on this night, with the hope of being
able to live a long life. At midnight, the bells at temples are rung 108 times
to ring out the old year and welcome the new one. Many people visit shrines on
both New Year's Eve and the New Year's Day in a practice that is known as
ni-nen mairi. |
| Monthly Note: |
| |
People send New Year's greeting cards in December so that they will be delivered on New Year's Day. In preparation for the new year, people clean the house to sweep away the old year's mess. In addition, special dishes called osechi-ryori are prepared for the New Year's holiday. |
 National Holidays |
The following days are public holidays in Japan. Businesses and schools
have vacations on these days.
| Jan. 1 |
New Year's Day |
Ganjitsu |
| Second Monday in Jan. |
Coming-of-Age Day |
Seijin no Hi |
| Feb. 11 |
National Foundation Day |
Kenkoku Kinen no Hi |
| Late March |
Vernal Equinox |
Shunbun no Hi |
| Apr. 29 |
Green Day |
Midori no Hi |
| May 3 |
Constitution Memorial Day |
Kenpo Kinenbi |
| May 5 |
Children's Day |
Kodomo no Hi |
| Third Monday in July |
Marine Day |
Umi no Hi |
| Third Monday in Sept. |
Respect for the Aged Day |
Keirono Hi |
| Late Sept. |
Autumnal Equinox |
Shubun no Hi |
| Second Monday in Oct. |
Health-Sports Day |
Taiiku no Hi |
| Nov. 3 |
Culture Day |
Bunka no Hi |
| Nov. 23 |
Labor Thanksgiving Day |
Kinro Kansha no Hi |
| Dec. 23 |
Emperor's Birthday |
Tenno Tanjobi |
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