Japan is generally a rainy country with high humidity. Because
of its wide range of latitude, Japan has a variety of climates,
with a range often compared to that of the east coast of North
America, from Nova Scotia to Georgia. Tokyo is at about 36 north
latitude, comparable to that of Tehran, Athens, or Los Angeles.
The generally humid, temperate climate exhibits marked seasonal
variation celebrated in art and literature, as well as regional
variations ranging from cool in Hokkaido to subtropical in
Kyushu. Climate also varies with altitude and with location on
the Pacific Ocean or on the Sea of Japan. Northern Japan has
warm summers but long, cold winters with heavy snow. Central
Japan has hot, humid summers and short winters, and southwestern
Japan has long, hot, humid summers and mild winters. Two primary
factors influence Japan's climate: a location near the Asian
continent and the existence of major oceanic currents. The
climate from June to September is marked by hot, wet weather
brought by tropical ai