Marine Day (Umi no Hi)
Marine Day, also known as Ocean Day or Sea Day (海の日, Umi no Hi) is a public holiday in Japan dedicated to expressing gratitude for the role of the sea in the country's culture and prosperity. It is part of the Happy Monday System (ハッピーマンデー制度, Happī Mandē Seido) and is celebrated on the third Monday in July.
This holiday was originally called Marine Memorial Day (海の記念日, umi no kinen bi) and took place on 20 July. It was established in 1941 by the Minister of Communications Shōzō Murata (村田 省蔵) to commemorate (Mutsuhito) Emperor Meiji's (明治天皇) voyage aboard the Meiji Maru (明治丸) sailing ship. Emperor Meiji reigned from 1867 until his death in 1912.
In 1976, the Emperor's voyage took him through Tohoku (東北地方) and Hokkaidō (北海道), ending at the port of Yokohama (横浜港). He also visited landmarks such as the lighthouse in the Aomori prefecture (青森県, Aomori-ken) and the city of Hakodate (函館市). In 1996, the day became a public holiday and was renamed Marine Day. From 2003 it became part of the Happy Monday System, giving workers a long weekend.
In Shintoism, which strongly influences Japanese traditions, nature plays an important role, and water is considered essential for purification rituals. Given Japan's geography of thousands of islands, the sea has provided not only sustenance and good health but also strategic advantages as a maritime power. Marine Day symbolises people's gratitude to the sea for ensuring a prosperous life.
As the holiday is relatively new, specific traditions are still developing. However, some unspoken customs have emerged. Marine Day marks the end of the rainy season and attracts many holidaymakers to the beaches and resorts. Some of the best beaches to visit are:
- Shirahama Beach (白浜大浜海水浴場), Shimoda (下田市), Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県)
- Shōnan Kaigan Park (湘南海岸公園), Fujisawa (藤沢市), Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県)
- Yonehara Beach (米原ビーチ), Ishigaki Island (石垣島), Okinawa Prefecture (沖縄県)
In the evening, fireworks (hanabi) are popular on the beaches. A highlight is the Marine Day Nagoya Port Festival (海の日名古屋みなと祭), where thousands of people gather to watch spectacular fireworks.
For outdoor enthusiasts, boat races, yacht races, and fishing competitions are held along the coast.
Another popular event is the Sea Day Lantern Festival in Odaiba (海の灯まつりin お台場) on Tokyo Bay (東京湾), where residents release paper lanterns into the water to pray for security on their journeys.
Food, of course, plays an important part in the celebrations. On Marine Day, many people enjoy seafood dishes as a gesture of appreciation for the bounty of the sea. Restaurants offer special seafood menus featuring fish, prawns, octopus and scallops, adding a culinary touch to the festivities.