Summertime in Japan

Duration: 600

Year Published: 1980

Creator: Japan National Tourist Organization

Complete Record: SUMMERTIME IN JAPAN 16mm, color/sound, about 20 mins., 1980s? This film shows beautiful sights in Japan, under the theme of how the Japanese stay cool during the hot summer months. The “story” is framed by showing school children leaving for summer vacation, then returning. Kids leave school for summer vacation. Nature scenes. The summer is hot in Japan. Traditional houses allow natural airflow. The breezes sound wind chimes. Home gardens and hand fans are shown. In Tokyo city, a street is closed to allow only pedestrian use. Ice sculptures are created in the street. Snow cones are sold. Sushi is served on ice. An outdoor beer restaurant is shown. The city at night. The next day, a flower market sells Morning Glories. The Bone Festival - sacred fires are lit at homes where Buddhist priests visit and chant. Paper lanterns on the water. Festivals in the street. Various sales, shopping in department stores. Incense burning ceremonies in temples. Eating eels is believed to prevent heat exhaustion. A traditional music performance. A parade with portable shrines of gods. Water is sprayed on the participants to cool them off. Children play. A fireworks display. Fireworks with puppets on ropes. Cityscape. Offices and the street scenes. Apartment living is shown. Two hours from Tokyo, beautiful beaches. A huge outdoor swimming pool with crowds of people and artificially generated waves. River bathing in mountain regions. Children camping and cooking their own meals. A mountain resort, four hours from Tokyo. Volcano. Sulfur hot springs. A common spa in the country. A beach on the east coast. Fisherman, nets of fish. Rice fields. Night insects. A gathering of people for the summer insect sounds. Large grasshoppers in a cage. Summer vacation is over and Japanese children return to school.