Dear Piqniq-ers,
Rain Rain Rain! Japan's 5th "distinct season" is upon us with the ferocity of... well, to be honest, something like a newborn lamb. I realize that by saying this I will be jinxing us all, but in terms of actual rainfall, the TSUYU has been pretty tame so far.
But what factors actually determine when the rainy season begins and ends anyway? Ever tried to ask that to anyone? I was curious myself so I consulted a truth-seeker's best friend; Wikipedia. Some parts have been paraphrased.
The "rainy season" is caused by the BAIU (another way to say rainy season in Japanese) front, a persistent east-west zone of disturbed weather during spring which is quasi-stationary and stretches from the east China coast, across Taiwan, and eastward into the Pacific south of Japan. The rainy season will usually last from June to July in Japan.
The front forms when the moist air over the Pacific meets the cooler continental air mass and results in prolonged precipitation and sometimes flooding. The rainy season ends when the warm air mass associated with the subtropical ridge is strong enough to push the front north and away.
In June, Tokyo experiences an average of 176.0 mm of rain, more than any month other than September. (Even though more rain falls in September, those rain totals are caused by typhoons, which are nowhere nearly as regular and predictable as the rains in June.) The islands of Okinawa, Japan are the first to receive rain, though all islands are eventually affected. However, the rain front normally does not bring much rain to Hokkaidō as it weakens on its way north.
And there you have it. To summarize, it seems the rainy season is caused by a lot of rain. And when the rain stops, the rainy season is over.
Site News and Stats
As of the writing of this newsletter on June 25th, Piqniq has just over 2100 registered members. Between May 20th to June 20th, 48% of Piqniq visits (including non-registered members) were from within Japan with the U.S. once again coming in at a distant 2nd with approximately 21%. For those of you that are curious, #3 was the UK with about 5%.
It is worth noting, however, that our visitors in Japan have a much higher Pages/Visit ratio - more than twice that of any other country in fact. Visitors in Japan also spend much more time on the site - about 5 times more than other countries. I suppose that makes sense though doesn't it? ^ ^
Before moving on to the next section, I just wanted to express thanks once again for those of you that took time to fill out our surveys that were mentioned in The Piqniq Basquet April and May editions. No survey this month though!
Blog & Forum Highlights
And now a recap of some of the more interesting and active blog entries and forum topics from the last few weeks.
Helping your child learn Japanese (Blog entry by mamajoy)
"Recently there was a question from a parent who just moved here and wants to help her 4 year old son learn Japanese a bit at home since he seems to be struggling some at the local school he is in. She is in a home, like ours, where English is the language at home- but still she wants to have things around in Japanese that might help her child a bit with his Nihongo."
Special Holidays in Tokyo (Blog entry by mihoi)
"Where are you gonna take your friends if they come to Japan?? I am Japanese but still new to Tokyo....so I guess you might know much more about Tokyo than I do!! There are so many places to visit here, but it is hard to go everywhere within 4-5days... So I would appreciate if you can introduce me your 'Special Holiday in Tokyo'!!"
Life in Japan with a toddler (Forum entry by Gillian)
"Hi - My husband and I have an opportunity to re-locate to Tokyo for a few years. we have lived in Japan before and love it but now we have a 16month old son and life is different. I would love to hear from people with feedback about life in Tokyo with a toddler as we don't have to move and we a struggling to amke a good decision. We are not super wealthy and won't be on some super expat package. Where is a good place to live?"
Do you really care about blood type? (Poll by Rob)
Piqniq's current Poll asks your opinion about the whole blood type "thing" in Japan. Click the link above to see results or cast your vote on the BLOG page on the bottom right side of your screen.
Upcoming Events!
Finally we'd like to let you know about a few fun events that are coming up in the next few weeks. Please note that some of the links below will lead to external web sites.
FOURTH OF JULY PITCH PARTY (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club)
"On Sunday, July 1st the YC&AC (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club)will be celebrating the 4th of July (due to it's mid-week timing) out on the main field with a full on BBQ, live music, kids & adults games and more. We'll have hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and chicken grilled out on the pitch as well as corn on the cob, watermelon and other favorites."
Canada Day Gotemba Daytrip (Gotemba Kogen Resort)
"Pack up the family and head out to the Gotemba Kogen Resort for Canada Day. The event, run by the Tokyo Canadian Club and Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is centered around a three-hour BBQ with all you can drink microbrew beer as well. Big Jim Lewis, will provide musical entertainment for the buffet. The Canada Day event is open to all for 5,000 a head. To reserve your family's space at the party, click the link above or email Sales and Marketing Director Bennett Galloway at bennett@gkb.co.jp or tel. 090-8475-4512."
Hydrangea/Lotus Viewing (Osaka - Nagai Park)
"Located in Nagai park, home of the Natural History Museum and wave pool, this garden boasts a flower field and a primeval forest. The hydrangea and lotus are in full bloom during the rainy season and both can be enjoyed here as well as the 550 species of plants that bloom vigorously in the open without the protection of a greenhouse. Both flowers are associated with Buddhism. Buddha is often portrayed sitting on the lotus flower and the different hues of the hydrangea is said to reflect the metamorphosis of Jizo-bosatsu and the transience of life. Time: 9:30am-4:30pm
Admission: ･200. Children free
Tel: 06-6696-7117"
Nagoya Sumo Tournament (Aichi-ken Taiikukan)
"Sumo is Japan`s national sport, its existed since ancient times and is still very popular today. There are six tournaments per year and they are held every July in Nagoya.You might see many sumo wrestlers all over the city! The Nagoya Sumo Tournament will start on July 8th and finish on the 22nd and be held at Aichi-ken Taiikukan. Tickets starting from 3,200 Yen are being sold at Circle K convenience stores, Family Mart, Ticket Pia, Playguide outlets and are available to purchase on the internet in English."
We are still having difficulties finding out about events outside of the Kanto Area. If you know of any events, festivals, exhibitions, etc. in or around Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, or Sapporo, suitable for a family outing, please let us know.
Rain Rain Rain! Japan's 5th "distinct season" is upon us with the ferocity of... well, to be honest, something like a newborn lamb. I realize that by saying this I will be jinxing us all, but in terms of actual rainfall, the TSUYU has been pretty tame so far.
But what factors actually determine when the rainy season begins and ends anyway? Ever tried to ask that to anyone? I was curious myself so I consulted a truth-seeker's best friend; Wikipedia. Some parts have been paraphrased.
The "rainy season" is caused by the BAIU (another way to say rainy season in Japanese) front, a persistent east-west zone of disturbed weather during spring which is quasi-stationary and stretches from the east China coast, across Taiwan, and eastward into the Pacific south of Japan. The rainy season will usually last from June to July in Japan.
The front forms when the moist air over the Pacific meets the cooler continental air mass and results in prolonged precipitation and sometimes flooding. The rainy season ends when the warm air mass associated with the subtropical ridge is strong enough to push the front north and away.
In June, Tokyo experiences an average of 176.0 mm of rain, more than any month other than September. (Even though more rain falls in September, those rain totals are caused by typhoons, which are nowhere nearly as regular and predictable as the rains in June.) The islands of Okinawa, Japan are the first to receive rain, though all islands are eventually affected. However, the rain front normally does not bring much rain to Hokkaidō as it weakens on its way north.
And there you have it. To summarize, it seems the rainy season is caused by a lot of rain. And when the rain stops, the rainy season is over.
Site News and Stats
As of the writing of this newsletter on June 25th, Piqniq has just over 2100 registered members. Between May 20th to June 20th, 48% of Piqniq visits (including non-registered members) were from within Japan with the U.S. once again coming in at a distant 2nd with approximately 21%. For those of you that are curious, #3 was the UK with about 5%.
It is worth noting, however, that our visitors in Japan have a much higher Pages/Visit ratio - more than twice that of any other country in fact. Visitors in Japan also spend much more time on the site - about 5 times more than other countries. I suppose that makes sense though doesn't it? ^ ^
Before moving on to the next section, I just wanted to express thanks once again for those of you that took time to fill out our surveys that were mentioned in The Piqniq Basquet April and May editions. No survey this month though!
Blog & Forum Highlights
And now a recap of some of the more interesting and active blog entries and forum topics from the last few weeks.
Helping your child learn Japanese (Blog entry by mamajoy)
"Recently there was a question from a parent who just moved here and wants to help her 4 year old son learn Japanese a bit at home since he seems to be struggling some at the local school he is in. She is in a home, like ours, where English is the language at home- but still she wants to have things around in Japanese that might help her child a bit with his Nihongo."
Special Holidays in Tokyo (Blog entry by mihoi)
"Where are you gonna take your friends if they come to Japan?? I am Japanese but still new to Tokyo....so I guess you might know much more about Tokyo than I do!! There are so many places to visit here, but it is hard to go everywhere within 4-5days... So I would appreciate if you can introduce me your 'Special Holiday in Tokyo'!!"
Life in Japan with a toddler (Forum entry by Gillian)
"Hi - My husband and I have an opportunity to re-locate to Tokyo for a few years. we have lived in Japan before and love it but now we have a 16month old son and life is different. I would love to hear from people with feedback about life in Tokyo with a toddler as we don't have to move and we a struggling to amke a good decision. We are not super wealthy and won't be on some super expat package. Where is a good place to live?"
Do you really care about blood type? (Poll by Rob)
Piqniq's current Poll asks your opinion about the whole blood type "thing" in Japan. Click the link above to see results or cast your vote on the BLOG page on the bottom right side of your screen.
Upcoming Events!
Finally we'd like to let you know about a few fun events that are coming up in the next few weeks. Please note that some of the links below will lead to external web sites.
FOURTH OF JULY PITCH PARTY (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club)
"On Sunday, July 1st the YC&AC (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club)will be celebrating the 4th of July (due to it's mid-week timing) out on the main field with a full on BBQ, live music, kids & adults games and more. We'll have hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and chicken grilled out on the pitch as well as corn on the cob, watermelon and other favorites."
Canada Day Gotemba Daytrip (Gotemba Kogen Resort)
"Pack up the family and head out to the Gotemba Kogen Resort for Canada Day. The event, run by the Tokyo Canadian Club and Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is centered around a three-hour BBQ with all you can drink microbrew beer as well. Big Jim Lewis, will provide musical entertainment for the buffet. The Canada Day event is open to all for 5,000 a head. To reserve your family's space at the party, click the link above or email Sales and Marketing Director Bennett Galloway at bennett@gkb.co.jp or tel. 090-8475-4512."
Hydrangea/Lotus Viewing (Osaka - Nagai Park)
"Located in Nagai park, home of the Natural History Museum and wave pool, this garden boasts a flower field and a primeval forest. The hydrangea and lotus are in full bloom during the rainy season and both can be enjoyed here as well as the 550 species of plants that bloom vigorously in the open without the protection of a greenhouse. Both flowers are associated with Buddhism. Buddha is often portrayed sitting on the lotus flower and the different hues of the hydrangea is said to reflect the metamorphosis of Jizo-bosatsu and the transience of life. Time: 9:30am-4:30pm
Admission: ･200. Children free
Tel: 06-6696-7117"
Nagoya Sumo Tournament (Aichi-ken Taiikukan)
"Sumo is Japan`s national sport, its existed since ancient times and is still very popular today. There are six tournaments per year and they are held every July in Nagoya.You might see many sumo wrestlers all over the city! The Nagoya Sumo Tournament will start on July 8th and finish on the 22nd and be held at Aichi-ken Taiikukan. Tickets starting from 3,200 Yen are being sold at Circle K convenience stores, Family Mart, Ticket Pia, Playguide outlets and are available to purchase on the internet in English."
We are still having difficulties finding out about events outside of the Kanto Area. If you know of any events, festivals, exhibitions, etc. in or around Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, or Sapporo, suitable for a family outing, please let us know.
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