June in Shizuoka Prefecture

June is usually rainy - it is the rainy season, after all. Some years are more rainy than others. There are earthquakes somewhere in Japan every day, often just small ones, but sometimes bigger ones. Where I live, typhoons usually happen from June through October, with the worst later in the season. 

This year we are off to a big start. At the beginning of June, Typhoon 6 passed through, cancelling a planned three day trip to Tokyo, unfortunately. A few days later, a big earthquake in the Philippines set off tsunami warnings along the coast of Japan. I live fairly close to the coast, but not so close that it is usually scary. I read afterwards that the water came up one meter here.

Here are some earthquakes we felt this month where I live. Mid-month, with epicenter in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Last week, another earthquake that we felt, epicenter off the coast farther north.

The last few days we’ve been watching two typhoons - 7 and 8, travel toward us. They came from different directions, then their projected paths overlapped some hours apart. Where I live, Typhoon 8 arrived first, overnight Friday to Saturday and T7 Saturday. (Screenshot below from Friday evening).

About 10:30 pm Friday, while watching the storm, there was an earthquake that lasted longer than the usual little quakes.

I keep an emergency backpack near my door in case I have to leave quickly. Luckily, I’ve never had to do that. Sometimes I add things or take things out, or just check what’s in there because I forget. Being prepared is taken seriously in Japan. 

What will July bring?

(Screenshots from the Japan Meteorological Agency website.)