Marine Day in Japan
When is Marine Day in Japan?
Marine Day in Japan is on July 21, 2025. It falls on Monday.
How many days until Marine Day in Japan?
There are 239 Days left until Marine Day in Japan.
Is Marine Day a public holiday in Japan?
Marine Day is a national holiday observed in Japan every third Monday of July every year. This day is also called as ‘Ocean Day’, ‘Sea Day’, or ‘Umi no Hi’ in the Japanese language. This holiday is celebrated primarily to express the people’s gratitude towards the blessings acquired from the oceans. It was said that Japan is the only country around the globe which has designated a public holiday in celebration of the bounty given by the oceans. Thus, on this day, several water-related activities are expected to be executed in accordance to its celebration.
Most companies are closed because of the holiday, so are the government offices and other public institutions. Stores, shops, theme parks, museums, resorts, and tourist destinations on the other hand, would remain open. Tourist destinations especially those near the beaches, are in fact going to be extremely crowded on this particular day.
Origin of Marine Day in Japan
During the establishment of this holiday back in 1941, the day was initially called ‘Marine Memorial Day’. It was established to commemorate the day when Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito), on 1876, has safely returned from his voyage on the Northern regions of Japan (Tohoku and Hokkaido). Boarded on the iron ship called Meiji Maru, his return to the Port of Yokohama was dated on the 20th of July of the said year. Even though the day was not considered a public holiday in the earlier years yet, the celebration has still been observed every 20th of July since its establishment.
When did Marine Day officially become a national holiday in Japan?
In 1995, the Japanese government finally acknowledged the day to become a national holiday and at the same time, they decided to change its name from Marine Memorial Day to just ‘Marine Day’. The holiday was then first observed the following year, on July 20, 1996. It was celebrated on that date until 2003.
By 2003, following the ‘Happy Monday System’ (a Japanese system used to modify some laws and move several public holidays in Japan to Mondays), the date of its celebration was altered. From its fixed date of celebration (every 20th of July), it was moved to be celebrated every third Monday of July instead. Since that year up until present, its day of celebration remains the same.
Marine Day Activities and Traditions in Japan
Many people, not just in Japan, always enjoy a day in the ocean. While the mountainside offers a different kind of relaxation, the oceans or seas on the other hand, provides another kind of refreshment that can only be experienced at these places.
Beach Trip and Water-Related Activities
The Japanese people are definitely not immune to the fun activities observed during a trip to the beaches. Hence, with the celebration of the country’s Marine Day, many people throughout Japan spends a day in the ocean. Several water-related events are arranged for this day. Every Japanese family would enjoy this holiday doing activities such as swimming, diving, boat-riding, snorkeling, surfing, and other water-related activities.
Some of the most famous and accessible beaches around Tokyo include those found in Odaiba, Kamakura, Yokohama, Chiba, and Enoshima. However, if you’re not in the Tokyo area, Okinawa and Kerama Islands on the southwestern part of Japan is another fine choice as well. Considering how abundant Japan is when it comes to beautiful beaches, the people have so many choices to pick from in selecting a place for a beach-trip during the Marine Day holiday.
Mud-Ball Throwing
For other people, participating to events that are more environmental-friendly is a better way to celebrate Marine Day. One activity that is specially done on this day is called ‘mud-ball throwing’. Mud-ball throwing has become quite popular in the recent years in Japan. The dried mud-balls used on this event are actually filled up with EMs or Effective Micro-organisms which are proven to help eliminate sea grime. To help clean the oceans and improve its quality, many Japanese people would participate to this activity. Others would even execute beach clean-up events to help maintain the beauty of the beaches as well.
National Aquariums Hosted Events
A number of events are usually organized for a livelier celebration of Marine Day. Water shows, water sport competitions, and other water-related events are typically hosted by the National Aquariums for the enjoyment of the public. In Tokyo, where crowds of people gather, one should allocate some time to visit the Aquariums found in the area. These places would usually host some special events during the holiday. One can choose which Aquarium to visit then. It could be the following:
- Sumida Aquarium
- Sunshine Aquarium
- Tokyo Sea Life Aquarium
Other amazing Aquariums are also located outside the Tokyo area which one can choose to visit instead during the holiday. In fact, the largest Aquarium in the world is actually found in Okinawa. The Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa features a variety of water-species and is definitely a good choice to visit during the Marine Day. Same goes with the Kaiyukan Aquarium in Osaka which is also famous for its whale shark and huge central water tank.
Marine Day Lantern Festival
Another major highlight during the celebration of Marine Day is Marine Day Lantern Festival. Held in Odaiba, Tokyo, thousands of beautiful lanterns (around 50,000) in different colors are displayed on the beach for the public to marvel. Many people would visit the place just to witness the spectacular display of these lanterns, considering that these displays are only seen during this holiday.
Firework-displays are also expected during the celebration. The Yokohama Port in Tokyo would make the necessary arrangements for the observance of these firework-displays. Thus, the Japanese would have an amazing moment watching the view while having a good time with their families and friends.
Parades of Ships and Floats
Another event observed during the celebration of Marine Day is the beautifications done to the country’s ships. It is typical for Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force to put in some decorations like lights, banners, and flags to the ships as part of the celebration. Colorful parades of ships and floats are even done a day before the holiday.
Marine Day Miss Japan Contest
In addition, there is also another event that the Japanese look forward to on this day. It is the Marine Day Miss Japan Contest. Willing ladies from across the country are encouraged to participate. Thus, whoever wins the competition would have the role of promoting marine safety.
Enjoying Japan's seafood delights
In terms of food, Japan’s seafood delights are something one shouldn’t miss out during the celebration. The country’s seafood dishes are basically one of the reasons why Japan is popular worldwide. A fish or a seafood feast is typically prepared on this day. Special dishes serve include: the unagi don grilled eel rice bowls, Temari sushi, tuna poke bowl, seafood noodle salad, crabs, squids, and many other seafood-related dishes.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | July 21 | Monday | Marine Day |
| 2026 | July 20 | Monday | Marine Day |
| 2027 | July 19 | Monday | Marine Day |
| 2028 | July 17 | Monday | Marine Day |
| 2029 | July 16 | Monday | Marine Day |
| 2030 | July 15 | Monday | Marine Day |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 |
| New Year's Eve | December 31, 2024 |
| New Year's Day | January 01, 2025 |
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