From Oct 27, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026, the corresponding solar term in the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) is 霜降(Soukou), and the corresponding microseason in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is 霎時施(Kosame tokidoki furu).

What Is “Kosame tokidoki furu” (霎時施)?

"Kosame Tokidoki Furu (霎時施, Occasional Light Rain)" is one of the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons), the traditional Japanese calendar that divides the year into 72 finely tuned seasonal periods. It is the second microseason of "Sōkō (霜降, Frost Descent)", one of the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms), and typically falls between October 28 and November 1 each year. The word kosame refers to a brief shower or light rain, and the name conveys the idea that "the season has arrived when light rain falls from time to time." The Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is an ancient Japanese calendar system that divides the year into 72 short seasons, each lasting about five days. It reflects the Japanese people's keen observation of nature and their deep appreciation for the subtle changes that occur throughout the year. During the period of "Kosame Tokidoki Furu", the advancing autumn brings more frequent cool rains across Japan. In the mountains, autumn foliage reaches its peak, and rain-soaked leaves glow with vivid shades of red, orange, and gold, creating breathtaking scenery. With the crisp, clear air making mountain ridgelines stand out sharply against the sky, this is also one of the best times of year for photography and autumn leaf viewing. The light rain that falls during this season is often referred to as "shigure" (時雨), a term that has long been cherished in the world of traditional Japanese poetry, including waka and haiku, as a symbol of autumnal beauty and melancholy. The Japanese language contains numerous expressions describing different kinds of "shigure", such as "kita-shigure" (北時雨, "northern autumn shower") and "mura-shigure" (村時雨, "scattered local shower"), reflecting the remarkable sensitivity with which people in Japan have observed and appreciated the natural world. In modern life, opportunities to notice the changing seasons have become less common. Yet through the evocative names of the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons), such as "Kosame Tokidoki Furu", we can rediscover Japan's rich natural heritage and the cultural traditions that have grown from it.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons