Marine Day in Japan

Marine Day in Japan

By Sharon Schweitzer

Since 2003, Marine Day in Japan has been observed on the third Monday of July. Marine Day is a Japanese national holiday that aims to thank the ocean for its bounty. Considering that Japan is a maritime nation, the country and its people are heavily dependent on the ocean. On this day, many Japanese people make a trip to the beach and enjoy ocean-related festivities. Called ‘Umi no hi,’ the date of Marine Day also generally coincides with monsoons in mainland Japan. It is also known as “Sea Day.” 

Communications Minister Shozo Murata established the day in 1941 to commemorate the Meiji Emperor and his 1876 voyage on the Meiji Maru, an iron steamship built in Scotland in 1874. The excursion included a trip across the Tohoku region, boarding a lighthouse boat in Aomori, and stopping briefly in Hakodate before returning to Yokohama on July 20th that year. It was not, however, designated as a national holiday until 1995, when it became the first summer holiday. The day was also established as a festival to express gratitude for the sea’s blessings, to recognize its significance, and to pray for Japan’s success as a maritime nation.

Before 1996, it was known as Marine Memorial Day and was not a federal holiday. Water is undeniably essential to our survival. As a result, ‌we should be grateful for our oceans, lakes, and rivers. According to studies, taking the time to consciously practice thankfulness can make us happy, reduce our blood pressure, and do other things. Japan is the world’s only country with a public holiday dedicated to ocean blessing.

An additional objective of the holiday was to express gratitude for the gifts of the sea and to pray for Japan’s prosperity. It is seen as the official start of the summer season for students, and the three-day weekend allows families to spend time with each other whilst celebrating the day. On this day, families visit beaches to swim, snorkel, surf, dive, or simply spend time on the shore. People also participate in events like mud-ball throwing, which helps break down and eliminate sea grime. 

If the weather isn’t in your favor, then a trip to one of Japan’s sea life centers is a great indoor alternative. The spectacular Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa is the largest sea life center in the world, showcasing a huge range of species and also serving as a marine study center.

Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market is the largest fish market in the world and a tourist attraction in its own right. If you get there at the crack of dawn you can experience the hustle and bustle of morning trade, and sample tasty, fresh, affordable seafood.

Photo by tokyotreat.com/blog

Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business,  Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.

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