Japan sweltered through dangerous heat Monday as temperatures climbed above 35 degrees Celsius across much of the country during the three-day weekend, emptying playgrounds and pushing crowds toward air-conditioned spaces.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also declared that the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions had officially ended as of Monday. It said the season ended one day later than average in both areas, but more than three weeks later than last year.

According to the agency, the temperature reached 30 C by 8 a.m. in Tokyo.

The Japan Weather Association said that the temperature in the city exceeded 35 Celsius at 11:09 a.m., marking the capital¡¯s first ¡°extremely hot day¡± of the year.

The extreme heat has come nearly two weeks later than last year, when Tokyo first crossed the threshold on July 7.

By late morning, neighborhood parks were largely deserted despite the three-day weekend, their slides and climbing frames scorching to the touch. Few children could be seen playing outside, while pedestrians sought shade beneath parasols, hurrying from one air-conditioned space to another.

¡°It¡¯s unbearable,¡± said Nene, a nail technician in her 20s living in Nishi-Ogikubo in Suginami Ward who asked to be identified only by her first name. ¡°More and more indoor spots, like movie theaters and aquariums, are doing special campaigns during the summer these days. It¡¯s almost impossible to be outside.¡±

Temperatures were forecast to reach 38 C in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, with 37 C expected in the city of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Authorities are urging people to remain indoors in air-conditioned spaces when possible and to stay hydrated.

Extreme heat is expected to persist in Tokyo through Thursday, accompanied by humid nights with temperatures remaining above 25 C. Such conditions can disrupt sleep and prevent the body from recovering from daytime heat, increasing the strain on people over successive days.

Heat stress is also rising worldwide as human-induced climate change makes heat waves more frequent and severe. Japan experienced record-breaking summer heat for a third consecutive year in 2025 has recorded its hottest summer for three consecutive years.