Summer in Japan

Hydrangeas bloom in the rainy season. People hang teruteru bōzu dolls made from white paper or cloth to express their wish for fine weather. (© Photolibrary)

Uchimizu helps cool the ground. (© Photolibrary)

Hunting the elusive watermelon. (© Photolibrary)

Players from Shimonoseki Kokusai High School collect infield dirt after losing in the quarterfinals to Nichi-Dai San in August 2018. (© Jiji)

A mosquito coil and traditional pig-shaped holder. (© Pixta)

Morning glories at the Iriya festival. (© Nippon.com)

Beer, edamame, and hiyayakko (chilled tōfu). (© Pixta)

Kakigōri served in a watermelon bowl. (© Nippon.com)

Sōmen, dipping sauce, negi, and ground ginger. (© Pixta)

The Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival is one of Japan’s biggest, with some 40,000 shells launched into the sky. (© Photolibrary)

Scooping for yo-yos. (© Pixta)