Seasons in Japanese: Haru, Natsu, Aki, Fuyu (with Audio)

The short answer

Spring はる, summer なつ, autumn あき, winter ふゆ.
Season is きせつ. “Which season do you like?” = どのきせつがすきですか.
Spring means cherry blossom viewing (はなみ); autumn means coloured leaves (こうよう).
Japanese culture values きせつかん, the feeling of the season.

The four seasons

はるharu
spring · 春
なつnatsu
summer · 夏
あきaki
autumn · 秋
ふゆfuyu
winter · 冬
きせつkisetsu
season

Spring: cherry blossoms and new beginnings

さくらsakura
cherry blossom
はなみhanami
flower viewing (picnics under cherry trees)
まんかいmankai
full bloom
にゅうがくしきnyūgakushiki
school entrance ceremony

The Japanese school and business year starts in April, so spring is the season of new beginnings. Cherry blossoms in Tokyo typically bloom in late March to early April, and the bloom forecast is national news.

Summer: festivals and fireworks

なつまつりnatsu matsuri
summer festival
はなびhanabi
fireworks
ゆかたyukata
light summer kimono
かきごおりkakigōri
shaved ice dessert
おぼんobon
Obon, festival honouring ancestors (mid-August)

Summer starts with the rainy season and turns hot and humid. See the weather in Japanese for the words you’ll need.

Autumn: leaves and good food

こうようkōyō
autumn leaves (changing colour)
もみじmomiji
maple (leaves)
しょくよくのあきshokuyoku no aki
“autumn of appetite”Autumn is famous as the season of good food.
つきみtsukimi
moon viewing

Winter: hot springs and New Year

ゆきyuki
snow
こたつkotatsu
heated low table with a blanket
おんせんonsen
hot spring
おしょうがつoshōgatsu
New Year

Winter peaks with the New Year holidays. Read Happy New Year in Japanese for the greetings.

Talking about seasons

どのきせつがすきですかdono kisetsu ga suki desu ka
Which season do you like?
あきがいちばんすきですaki ga ichiban suki desu
I like autumn best.
なつはあついですねnatsu wa atsui desu ne
Summer is hot, isn’t it?
はるになりましたねharu ni narimashita ne
Spring has come, hasn’t it?

Seasonal food (shun)

Japanese cooking celebrates しゅん (旬), the time when an ingredient is at its best. Menus, convenience stores and even soft drinks change with the seasons:

Season	Seasonal treats
Spring	さくらもち (cherry blossom rice cakes), たけのこ (bamboo shoots)
Summer	すいか (watermelon), そうめん (cold thin noodles), かきごおり
Autumn	くり (chestnuts), さつまいも (sweet potatoes), さんま (Pacific saury)
Winter	なべ (hot pot), みかん (mandarins), おでん

Seasonal phrases

あたたかくなりましたねatatakaku narimashita ne
It’s gotten warmer, hasn’t it?Spring small talk.
まいにちあついですねmainichi atsui desu ne
It’s hot every day, isn’t it?Summer.
すずしくなりましたねsuzushiku narimashita ne
It’s gotten cooler, hasn’t it?Autumn.
かぜをひかないようにねkaze o hikanai yō ni ne
Don’t catch a cold!Winter.

Notice the pattern adjective (く) + なりました: has become …. It’s perfect for talking about any change.

The year in Japan

The Japanese school and fiscal year begins in April, so spring is linked with fresh starts, new classmates and new colleagues. Summer brings Obon in mid-August, autumn is the season of sports days and culture festivals at schools, and winter culminates in the New Year holidays.

Season check0/3

ふゆ is:
Picnics under cherry blossoms are called:
“I like autumn best.”

Frequently asked questions

What are the four seasons in Japanese?

Spring is 春 (haru), summer 夏 (natsu), autumn 秋 (aki) and winter 冬 (fuyu). Season is 季節 (kisetsu).

When do cherry blossoms bloom in Japan?

It depends on the region. In Tokyo, cherry blossoms typically bloom from late March to early April; further north, later.

What is hanami?

花見 (hanami) means flower viewing, the spring tradition of having picnics and parties under blooming cherry trees.

What is shun in Japanese food?

旬 (shun) means the season when an ingredient is at its peak. Japanese cuisine highlights seasonal ingredients, like chestnuts in autumn or bamboo shoots in spring.