Travel

Cooling Off Ideas for the Scorching Holiday Weekend

CHIBA, Sep 13 (News On Japan) - As the intense late-summer heat lingers, Kamogawa Sea World in Chiba Prefecture is drawing attention for extending its popular “Summer Splash” event until October 1st.

Known for its thrilling killer whale performances, the marine park originally scheduled the splash-heavy attraction only through August. But with temperatures remaining high, the show—where orcas drench the audience with massive sprays from their tail fins—will now continue into early autumn, allowing visitors to enjoy a dramatic and refreshing experience longer than expected.

The extension comes just in time for the three-day weekend starting September 13th, when scorching temperatures are expected to return. At Kamogawa Sea World, visitors responded with enthusiasm: “Got totally soaked! It was freezing,” “I’m drenched,” and “It’s so fun because even adults can go wild—adults don’t usually get this wet!”

Kamogawa Sea World General Manager Kenji Nakahashi explained, “Since the intense late-summer heat is expected to continue through September, we’ve decided to extend the event through our anniversary on October 1st to help guests stay cool.”

For those seeking a more traditional way to enjoy the season while staying comfortable, the “Katsuura Great Harvest Festival” is another recommended outing. Held over four days starting September 12th, the festival originated in the late Edo period as a prayer for a bountiful catch and features lively mikoshi (portable shrine) parades through the streets.

To help visitors beat the heat while enjoying the festivities, organizers are offering a GPS-based web service called “Matsuri NOW.” The tool shows the real-time location of the mikoshi, allowing festival-goers to plan their movements and avoid waiting in the sun.

One attendee remarked, “Wow, I had no idea! It’s super convenient since once I go home, I never know where the mikoshi are.”

With a hot three-day holiday approaching, destinations like Kamogawa and Katsuura are adapting to ensure visitors can enjoy Japan’s lingering summer in comfort.

Source: FNN

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