Of all the Nintendo games that have made it over to the west, Animal Crossing is probably one of the most heavily localized titles I can think of. Which is funny, because no one complains about localization in Animal Crossing. 😛

Various holidays were changed or removed to compensate for cultural differences (like Japan’s Bean Throwing Festival, for example), and a Bell Shrine was replaced by the Wishing Well, among other things.

But despite all the changes made to make the game more familiar for us Westerners, they didn’t change everything! Here’s a rundown of my three most favorite Japanesey moments from Animal Crossing.

1.) 桜吹雪 (Sakurafubuki)

Nothing says “spring” in Animal Crossing quite like the arrival of the Cherry Blossom Festival. All the trees turn pink and petals tumble everywhere; it seems pretty fanciful. But as it turns out, the Animal Crossing version is actually way less spectacular than the real thing!

The arrival of the cherry blossoms, or 桜 (sakura), in Japan, is a really, really big deal. Towards the beginning of the year, as winter starts winding down, the Japanese Weather Association unveils its annual Cherry Blossom Forecast, which predicts the arrival dates of the blossoms in the various regions of Japan. There’s also a Cherry Blossom Weathermap, if you want a second opinion. The Japan Meteorological Association releases cherry blossom forecasts too, and also tracks and records the cherry blossom front as it moves from the southern reaches of Japan through Hokkaido.

The cherry blossoms don’t last long — usually only two weeks at best — so people flock to premium viewing spots in droves all over the country. Typically, the merrymaking involves spreading out blue tarps under a sakura tree and drinking lots of 酒 (sake), a practice called 花見 (hanami), literally “Flowering Viewing.” After the blossoms reach their peak, the petals begin to fall away, in a beautiful phenomenon called 桜吹雪 (sakurafubuki), literally a “cherry blossom blizzard.” This video showcases the sakurafubuki, and the crowds, at Ueno Park in Tokyo:

Standing in sakurafubuki is one of the coolest things ever, so it’s no wonder it’s so popular. If you ever plan a trip to Japan in the spring, be sure to check the sakura forecast and plan accordingly! (May I recommend Yoshinoyama?)

2.) セミの鳴き声 (semi no nakigoe)

Bug hunting in Animal Crossing is a pretty good way to make a few extra bells. It’s also educational. 😀

I don’t know what was wrong with my brain as a kid, but since I’d never heard a cicada make those strange noises the ones on Animal Crossing made, I assumed it was an Animal Crossing sound as opposed to a Japanese one. I was floored the first time I visited Japan in the summer and heard the セミの鳴き声, the cicada song, for real:

Cicada song is an instantly recognizable symbol of summer in Japan. It calls to mind sweltering days full of humidity (spent sprawled out on a tatami mat begging for DEATH. Did I mention summers are really hot there?). This video showcases several common Cicada songs (you’ll have to watch it on YouTube directly):

Check out this great article on Tofugu all about Japanese Cicadas, their significance, and their song, if you want more info.

3.) 花火大会 (hanabi taikai)

In the first Animal Crossing, the only days you could see fireworks coincided with holidays, but in Wild World, City Folk, and New Leaf, there are fireworks shows every weekend during certain summer months. Every wonder why? 🙂

Well! Every summer, Japan hosts hundreds of spectacular installments of the 花火大会 (hanabi taikai), or Fireworks Festival, during weekends through July and August. It is amazing and everyone in the world should experience it at least once! Viewers wear yukata, eat awesome vendor food, and enjoy a relaxed evening before the show begins. And they do not mess around (watch it in HD!):

Admittedly, the fireworks from Animal Crossing just do not do the whole event justice. But it is a wonderful and spectacular tradition in Japan, and that’s why they have it during the summer weekends in the game.

Those are my favorite Japanesey things in Animal Crossing! Share yours in the comments!

Thanks for reading.