Why Is the Japanese Summer So Incredibly Loud? (The “Semi” Soundtrack)

The Symbol of Summer

This is the sound of “Semi” (Cicadas). For Japanese people, summer hasn’t officially started until they hear this intense bug chorus. It is the ultimate soundtrack of the season, and you will hear it in the background of almost every summer anime or Japanese movie ever made.

The Fleeting Life

There is a poetic reason why Japanese people love them. Cicadas spend years living quietly underground in the dark, only to emerge, grow wings, and sing at the top of their lungs for about one short week before they die. This dramatic, short-lived existence aligns perfectly with the Japanese appreciation for fleeting beauty.

The Eco-Friendly Treasure Hunt

While kids in the US might collect baseball cards, Japanese kids have a wilder hobby: collecting empty bug shells! When cicadas molt on tree trunks, they leave behind perfectly intact, brown empty shells called “Nukegara.” Hunting for these crunchy shells in the local park is an unforgettable childhood summer memory.