A seasonal period of frequent rainfall in Japan, typically occurring from early June to mid-July, marking the transition between spring and summer.
English Term: Rainy Season
Japanese (Kanji): 梅雨（つゆ）
Hiragana: つゆ
Romaji: Tsuyu
A seasonal period of frequent rainfall in Japan, typically occurring from early June to mid-July, marking the transition between spring and summer.
Rainy Season（梅雨 / つゆ / Tsuyu） is a seasonal weather pattern in Japan characterized by continuous rain, high humidity, and overcast skies.
The rainy season usually begins in early June and lasts until mid-July, although the exact timing varies depending on the region.
The name tsuyu (梅雨) literally means "plum rain," because the season coincides with the time when Japanese plums (ume) ripen.
During this period, weather conditions are often humid and unstable, with alternating periods of rain, light drizzle, and cloudy skies.
Although the rainy season can make daily life inconvenient, it has become a recognizable part of Japanese seasonal culture.
Common sights during tsuyu include:
The season also influences everyday life, as people adjust routines to frequent rain and humidity.
Stores often sell rain-related items such as umbrellas, rain boots, and waterproof bags during this time.
The rainy season marks the transition between spring and summer in the Japanese seasonal calendar.
In schools, tsuyu occurs shortly after the beginning of the academic year.
This timing often coincides with:
Because outdoor activities can be limited, daily life during this season often shifts toward indoor spaces.
Rainy season scenes are frequently used in anime to create a calm, reflective atmosphere.
Typical tsuyu imagery includes:
Rain scenes often emphasize mood and atmosphere.
For example, quiet rainy environments appear in films such as The Garden of Words, where rain plays an important role in shaping the emotional tone of the story.
In anime storytelling, rain often symbolizes introspection, emotional distance, or quiet connection between characters.
The rainy season is an essential part of Japan's annual rhythm.
Although it can be inconvenient, it also contributes to the lush greenery that defines Japan's summer landscapes.
In visual storytelling such as anime, tsuyu provides a distinctive atmosphere that highlights mood, quiet moments, and subtle emotional interactions.
Because of this, rainy season imagery has become one of the recognizable seasonal motifs in Japanese animation.