Swallows Return

In 2026, the 13th micro season of the year starts on April 5th. It is the first micro season of the solar term "Seimei" "Pure and clean". The 13th micro season / first of "Pure and Clean", is called Swallows Return 玄鳥至 Tsubame kitaru. 

As the name suggests, this micro season marks the period when swallows return from the south, beginning their nesting season in Japan. For many, their return is a sign that spring has fully awakened. They often return to the same nest they used the previous year, making them a welcome seasonal neighbor. 

Swallows may be the headline of this micro season, but there are many other changes too. For example, daylight lengthens and small flies and gnats emerge. We also see a change in the clouds. And it often marks the period when somei yoshino start to shed their petals, or in some places, turn to green leaves (photo foreground) and the yaezakura (photo background) are starting to bloom.