From Jul 1, 2026 to Jul 6, 2026, the corresponding solar term in the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) is 夏至(Geshi), and the corresponding microseason in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is 半夏生(Hange sho).

What Is “Hange sho” (半夏生)?

"Hangeshō" (半夏生) is one of the seasonal markers in the traditional Japanese calendar known as the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons), and it usually falls between around July 1 and July 6 each year. Within the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms), it corresponds to the final microseason of "Geshi" (夏至, "the summer solstice period"). "Hange" (半夏) refers to the medicinal plant "karasu-bisyaku" (烏柄杓, "crow-dipper"), and "Hangeshō" literally signifies the time when this plant begins to sprout. The Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is an ancient Japanese calendar system that divides the year into 72 finely observed seasonal phases to reflect subtle changes in nature. Among them, "Hangeshō" is known as a seasonal expression that signals the arrival of full summer. This period falls near the end of the rainy season, when the weather is typically hot, humid, and muggy. The season of "Hangeshō" is also closely connected to traditional agricultural life. In the past, farmers believed that rice planting should ideally be completed by Hangeshō, after which it was customary to take a period of rest. In the Kansai region, there is also a well-known custom of eating octopus during this time, with prayers that the rice plants will develop strong, firmly rooted stalks. "Hangeshō" is a beautiful seasonal term that reflects Japan's deep connection with nature, the changing seasons, and its agricultural traditions.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons