Miyama, Month by Month

February

Average 2°C　High 7°C　Low -2°C

February is the coldest month of the year in Miyama.
Snow settles deeply across the valley.
Cold winds descend from Siberia and sharpen the air.
Yet the days slowly begin to lengthen.
A faint shift toward spring can be felt.
Owls call quietly at night.
Winter still rules, but change is preparing.

Seasonal Food

Sukiyaki hotpot

72 Micro-Seasons

Jan 30–Feb 3　Hens begin to lay eggs
Feb 4–8　East wind melts the ice
Feb 9–13　Bush warblers sing in the mountains
Feb 14–18　Fish emerge from the ice
Feb 19–23　Rain moistens the soil
Feb 24–28　Mist begins to linger

March

Average 6°C　High 12°C　Low 1°C

Spring begins to stir in the mountains.
White magnolia blossoms appear against still-bare trees.
The air softens, though mornings remain cold.
Wild edible plants push through the soil.
Mugwort and butterbur mark the season’s turning.
Birdsong returns to the valley.
After the long silence of winter, sound comes back to life.

Seasonal Food

Wild mountain vegetables (Tempura)

72 Micro-Seasons

Mar 1–5　Grass sprouts, trees bud
Mar 6–10　Hibernating insects awaken
Mar 11–15　First peach blossoms
Mar 16–20　Caterpillars become butterflies
Mar 21–25　Sparrows begin nesting
Mar 26–30　Cherry blossoms begin to open
Mar 31–Apr 4　Distant thunder begins

April

Average 11°C　High 18°C　Low 5°C

Spring arrives fully in Miyama.
Cherry blossoms bloom later than in Kyoto City.
Cool mountain air delays their opening until mid-April.
Picnics and bicycle rides fill the village roads.
Horsetails and fresh greens appear along fields and rivers.
Frogs awaken from winter sleep.
Evenings carry the first chorus of the season.

Seasonal Food

Spring mountain vegetables

72 Micro-Seasons

Mar 31–Apr 4　Distant thunder begins
Apr 5–9　Swallows return
Apr 10–14　Wild geese fly north
Apr 15–19　Rainbows begin to appear
Apr 20–24　First reeds sprout
Apr 25–29　Frost ends, rice seedlings grow
Apr 30–May 4　Peonies bloom

May

Average 16°C　High 23°C　Low 10°C

Rice planting begins across the valley.
Young seedlings reflect the sky in flooded fields.
Fresh green leaves cover the mountainsides.
This season is called Shinryoku, the light of new foliage.
The air is warm but not yet humid.
Frogs sing loudly at night.
Life expands in every direction.

Seasonal Food

Temaki sushi

72 Micro-Seasons

Apr 30–May 4　Peonies bloom
May 5–9　Frogs begin singing
May 10–14　Earthworms surface
May 15–20　Bamboo shoots sprout
May 21–25　Silkworms begin feeding
May 26–30　Safflowers bloom
May 31–Jun 5　Wheat ripens

June

Average 20°C　High 26°C　Low 15°C

Early summer begins gently.
Hydrangeas bloom along village paths.
Fireflies appear in quiet streams at dusk.
Tourism slows, and the valley feels spacious.
Mid-month, the rainy season arrives.
Humidity rises and rain softens the landscape.
The air grows heavy, but deeply alive.

Seasonal Food

Hoba gohan

72 Micro-Seasons

May 31–Jun 5　Wheat ripens
Jun 6–10　Praying mantises hatch
Jun 11–15　Rot sets in on grass
Jun 16–20　Plum rains fall
Jun 21–25　Self-heal withers
Jun 26–30　Irises bloom

July

Average 24°C　High 30°C　Low 20°C

The rainy season gives way to deep summer.
Blue skies rise above the valley.
Heat and humidity settle into the fields.
Rivers become places of refuge.
Cicadas begin their relentless chorus.
Afternoons move slowly in the shade.
Summer life unfolds at its fullest intensity.

Seasonal Food

Saba zushi

72 Micro-Seasons

Jul 1–6　Crow-dipper sprouts
Jul 7–11　Warm winds blow
Jul 12–16　Lotus blossoms open
Jul 17–22　Hawks learn to fly
Jul 23–27　Paulownia seeds scatter
Jul 28–Aug 1　Earth grows damp

August

Average 25°C　High 31°C　Low 21°C

Summer reaches its peak in August.
Heat shimmers above the rice fields.
Festivals and holiday gatherings fill the evenings.
Tomatoes and cucumbers ripen in village gardens.
Fishing is popular, and grilled Ayu is in season.
Nagashi soumen is a summer favorite, served in cool flowing water.
After Obon, you can feel the air begin to soften as autumn approaches.

Seasonal Food

Grilled Ayu and Nagashi soumen

72 Micro-Seasons

Jul 28–Aug 1　Earth grows damp
Aug 2–6　Heavy rains fall at times
Aug 7–11　Cool winds arrive
Aug 12–16　Evening cicadas sing
Aug 17–22　Dense fog descends
Aug 23–27　Cotton flowers bloom
Aug 28–Sep 1　Heat begins to fade

September

Average 21°C　High 27°C　Low 17°C

The heat begins to ease in September.
Humidity drops and the air becomes clearer.
Cicadas fade and autumn crickets take over the night.
Rice fields turn golden and harvest begins.
Freshly harvested rice, Shinmai, appears on the table.
Tourists are few and the climate is ideal.
It is one of the best months to explore Miyama slowly.

Seasonal Food

Freshly harvested rice (Shinmai)

72 Micro-Seasons

Aug 28–Sep 1　Heat begins to fade
Sep 2–7　Dew glistens white
Sep 8–12　Wild geese return
Sep 13–17　Swallows depart
Sep 18–22　Thunder ceases
Sep 23–27　Insects burrow underground
Sep 28–Oct 2　Fields begin to dry

October

Average 15°C　High 21°C　Low 10°C

October is calm and balanced.
The air turns crisp in the mornings.
Rice harvest continues across the valley.
Mountains slowly shift from green to rust and gold.
Fragrant kinmokusei blossoms scent the village paths.
The sky feels higher and clearer.
Autumn settles deeply into daily life.

Seasonal Food

Shinmai and autumn vegetables

72 Micro-Seasons

Sep 28–Oct 2　Fields begin to dry
Oct 3–7　Water begins to shrink
Oct 8–12　Wild geese arrive
Oct 13–17　Chrysanthemums bloom
Oct 18–22　Crickets chirp by the door
Oct 23–27　First frost descends
Oct 28–Nov 1　Light rains fall at times

November

Average 9°C　High 15°C　Low 5°C

November brings quiet clarity.
Mountain forests turn deep red and gold.
Leaves fall and gather along the village roads.
Persimmons ripen on bare branches.
The air grows sharper each morning.
Smoke from wood fires drifts slowly upward.
Winter approaches with calm certainty.

Seasonal Food

Persimmons (Kaki)

72 Micro-Seasons

Oct 28–Nov 1　Light rains fall at times
Nov 2–6　Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow
Nov 7–11　Camellias bloom
Nov 12–16　Land begins to freeze
Nov 17–21　Daffodils bloom
Nov 22–26　Rainbows hide from view
Nov 27–Dec 1　North winds blow leaves away

December

Average 4°C　High 9°C　Low -1°C

December is spare and quiet.
Leaves have fallen and the valley feels open.
The first snow often arrives mid-month.
Fields rest beneath pale light.
Winter vegetables are harvested before deep frost.
Preparations for the New Year begin.
The year closes in stillness.

Seasonal Food

Mochi and winter vegetables

72 Micro-Seasons

Nov 27–Dec 1　North winds blow leaves away
Dec 2–6　Orange blossoms scent the air
Dec 7–11　Cold sets in
Dec 12–16　Bears begin hibernating
Dec 17–21　Salmon gather
Dec 22–26　Parsley thrives beneath the snow
Dec 27–31　Deer shed their antlers