Summer in Kansai has its own special atmosphere; the whirr of a million air-cons in the stifling heat, the piercing shrills of giant bugs as children pursue them with big nets, TV's everywhere blaring out nightly baseball broadcasts, and cries of "Atsui Atsui!" (or "It's hot, hot!") as the humidity goes through the roof. Travelers and residents alike seek the shade, and ice-coffees, shaved ices and cool beers are the order of the day. The innards of temples, their courtyard gardens, and Kyoto's riverside restarants are great places cool down and relax. Highlights of summer include the sparkling beauty of the month long Gion Matsuri, a succession of firework displays, and the cormorant fishing in Arashiyama and Uji.