Hokkaido

Hokkaido is not included among regions that enter or end the rainy season, and it’s said to have no rainy season at all. The seasonal rain front weakens before it reaches Hokkaido. In June and July, Hokkaido gets little rain and is often described as chilly. It’s important to watch out for temperature fluctuations.

Concrete

Snails feed on vegetables, algae, and mushrooms, but they actually eat concrete, too. They do this to take in the calcium contained in concrete, which nourishes their shells. If you keep a snail at home, give it eggshells so it can get calcium.

soil

The color of hydrangea flowers is determined by the soil—more precisely, by the soil’s acidity. In acidic soil they bloom blue, in neutral soil they bloom purple, and in alkaline soil they bloom pink. By the way, there are also hydrangeas whose color doesn’t change regardless of the soil conditions.

the fact that it rains

Teru teru bozu are hung up to wish for clear weather, but if you hang one upside down, the wish is reversed and it means you’re wishing for rain. When it’s upside down, it may be called “Ruterute bozu,” which reads “teruteru” backward, or “Furefure bozu.”

Japan

Hydrangeas are flowers native to Japan, but they were apparently not very popular at first. They traveled from Japan to China and then to Europe, where they have become especially popular in the United Kingdom. In Europe, they are also called the "Rose of the Orient," and active breeding and cultivation have been carried out.

Rose

On Mother’s Day, people give carnations, while on Father’s Day it’s common to give roses. Traditionally, a red rose is given to a living father and a white rose is offered if he has passed away. In Japan, due to a certain campaign, giving yellow roses has also become mainstream.

the third Sunday of June

Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other countries observe it on the same date. However, countries like Australia and Italy celebrate it on different dates outside of June. Even if it’s hard to say thank you normally, make sure to express your gratitude to your dad on this special day!

Because it’s the season when the plum fruits ripen.

The reason the character for “plum” (梅) is used in the word tsuyu (rainy season) is that this is the time when plums ripen. When the term was brought from China during the Heian period, it was pronounced baiu, but it came to be read tsuyu due to associations with the season of dew—when plants are covered with dew—and with expressions like tsubeiu, referring to crushed plum fruit.

Strawberry Moon

The full moon seen in June is called the Strawberry Moon. It is said to be named by Native Americans to mark the strawberry harvest season. Many people know it for its cute-sounding name, and it is also popular as a moon that brings happiness.

pearl

The birthstone for June is the pearl. Associated with health and longevity, it is cherished as a gemstone with a special meaning due to its mysterious luster and its unique origin of forming inside a shell. Beyond being June’s birthstone, pearls are often worn to mark life’s milestones and are loved by people of a wide range of ages.