New country, new job, new people, new experience & new seasons too.
When I decided to move to Japan for work, I was very excited as it was my dream country. When I was first working with Hitachi, A Japanese company I learnt basic Japanese language and dont know how but I started loving this country unknowingly. I used to tell my friends how much I love japan and after hearing the news of job, finally it turned into reality.
When first landed into Narita airport, Tokyo, A very warm welcome was done by one of my Japanese friend Hiromi. She along with her family, came to airport just to receive me. Her husband bought some food and water for me and she gave a train/bus card with certain amount filled. It was so surprising for me that in the country where you dont know the language as well , someone coming to receive you and making you feel at home. And on this note my journey started with very happy and positive note with full of confidence. I reached and stayed in shared house for few months and then moved to my apartment.
When I landed it was the month of august, a summer season of Japan. Too much humidity and burning heat. Whoever coming from mumbai can feel the similarity of humidity but in additional to it heat was very much. Usual temperature during summer in Japan is around 35-36 degrees.Summer period starts in July mid and ends in august end, almost 1.5 months. It is the best season to go for hiking. Especially Mount Fuji which is very famous hiking destination among everyone during summer. Another best location to visit during summer is beach to cool down the heat. Japan is an island and hence has lots of beaches. One can just go to any beach and relax. I was very new to the country so could not go out to the mentioned places. Was just adjusting myself to the climate/country and environment. Air conditioner is must during this season. Here people use table fans/hand fans/battery operated hand fans as well to cool down oneself. Luckily trains and buses are accustomed with AC so not much issues during travel.
End of august was approaching and I got to know that now typhoon season would start. September month and October some days are full of typhoon season. Its not a defined season in Japan but generally during these months typhoons come. It was totally new for me as in India I never experienced typhoons. I was bit terrified but no other option but to face it. Initially 2-3 typhoons hit Tokyo but they were not much strong and passed with very little/no damage. Everywhere instructions are given where to go and what to do when typhoon hits your area. There is one good alarming system as well run by government. Whenever major typhoon/earthquake is about to occur, this national alarm system starts ringing on everyone's phone and you dont have option to switch off the alarm. After experiencing these initial typhoons I got some idea what it is and how it is. But major typhoon was yet to come. Typhoon Hagibis which hit Tokyo very badly and I literally experienced the terror of typhoon. (Refer my another blog to details). It was never forgetting experience.
During my stay of initial 2-3 months once I felt an earthquake. It was of magnitude 3. Suddenly in night everything started shattering and I was terrified, Was not knowing what to do whom to call. But within 30 seconds everything was okay. It was my first earthquake experience in country. And from then I have experienced so many earthquakes that I am used to it. From magnitude 2 till 6.3. Earthquake happens any time any season. This is another unique experience I got after coming here. Earthquakes/typhoons/tsunami are very common for this country. Being the first land in east side, usually everything hits this country first.
After those terrified typhoon months, finally some relaxed soothing days were here. An autumn season which usually starts from Oct mid lasts till Nov end. The climate is very pleasant. Temperatures are between 10-20 degrees. Nature has its own beauty. In India we dont experience this season much. Here I had a chance to see beautiful change nature colors. Leaves changes its colors from green to orange to yellow gradually and then fall down. Wonderful season to roam around. As November end approaches chill started feeling in. It gives hint of starting of winter season.
Winter season starts here from December till February/mid march. Temperature goes below 0 degrees. sometimes in Tokyo it snows. In Mumbai I never seen winter season so again this was another new experience for me. initially I felt lots of cold and shiver but then I got used to it. North japan gets lots of snow and there are snow festivals happen. People here are very crazy about skiing. I also had a chance to experience Skiing and ice skating. It was my first time to do all these things so bit worried but managed somehow and enjoyed as well. Winter months all tree leaves fall down and you can see only wood which is bit boring and people say it is depressing month. But one should know how to enjoy during those months too which I did. In Japan during winter monthds they decorate all trees with lights and call it as winter illumination to remove darkness in life.
From mid march spring season starts. Again this was new for me. During this season initially till mid april climate remains cool but after that it becomes pleasant. This is very famous season for sakura. Lots of foreigners visit Japan during this season. I could experience this Sakura blossom but not to the fullest due to Covid-19. This season lasts till May. During this season you get to see variety of flowers along with Sakura. This season is kind of happy season for everyone. Lots of festivals happen during this season.
And unfortunately during this season Covid-19 started spreading and I got to experience this pandemic as well. During this pandemic I observed here due to discipline and cleanliness it was under control. Every business and each and every person was following social distancing norms. Another unique experience. and it still continues.
Spring ends in May and another season starts from June till mid july is rainy season. Again this not official season. Some days go dry but many of the days its either cloudy or rainy. Temperature is sometimes high and sometimes pleasant. Usually it remains between 17-28 degrees.
So overall if you see there are 6 seasons in Japan but 2 hidden typhoon and rainy thus title says 4 seasons
I had got this wonderful chance to experience all seasons in Japan which completes my entire one year within this new country. In just one year along with these natural seasons, I had all kind of life experiences as well which had to be faced single handed which made me even stronger person. One of the biggest typhoons (hagibis), exposure to totally different world of sports/hikes,lots of earthquakes with some major ones (over magnitude 5.5+), extreme hot whether,COVID situation, MY grandmother's death (I couldnt even think of going due to COVID) and some values like discipline, perfectness, timeliness,workaholic,politeness,patience,listening,social distancing,cleanliness,hygiene,respecting self country,kindness,helpfulness and many more.
Some are covered in blogs (https://amoghakutumbe.wixsite.com/jplive/post/culture-shift-india-japan) and some are covered in Vlogs. Don't forget to visit my channels on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvcMm4d7BRqQ2Xd4f7RXRMw/videos?view_as=subscriber) and subscribe it. Hoping to continue my wonderful journey ahead till many years.
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