The rainy season is upon us in most parts of Japan. It is called "baiu" or "tsuyu," which literally translates as "plum rainy season" — so-called because plum get ripe around this time of the year.

While the name is rather exotic, it is the month when we have so much rain. Because of that, June is not the ideal month for tourists to visit Japan. Two other months I strongly recommend avoiding are July and August as it is so hot and humid in Tokyo — though there are some places like Hokkaido that are spared from the rainy season and remain comfortable.

Even though this may not be the ideal month to visit Japan, tourists from overseas might find people's behavior here rather interesting. That is, how so many people carry around umbrellas.