Things I love about summer in Japan: greenery

Growing up in Australia, I remember distinct periods of drought conditions where big parts of the country had to contend with water restrictions. This meant that you weren't allowed to do things like water your garden, meaning that the landscape looked very dry. Sure, there was some natural greenery, but I often refer to it as a brownish-green, not the vivid greens of summer in Japan.

A permanent display from the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale in the Niigata countryside.

It's why I'm grateful for the vivid greens of summer here. Sure, we have a rainy season to contend with, and I know a lot of folks aren't really a fan of that (and it can come with its own challenges of flooding/landslides in certain places) – but it does result in some really verdant landscapes that I'm ever-grateful for. I feel like the greenery is extra-pronounced out here in the countryside, but I know you can still find pockets of summer's greenery even in urban areas.