Mountain Day
A day to get familiar with mountains and appreciate their blessings
Yama no Hi (Mountain Day) is a national holiday celebrated on August 11th. Its purpose is "to provide opportunities to get familiar with mountains and to appreciate their blessings."
Japan's Newest Holiday
Enforced in 2016, Mountain Day is the newest addition to Japan's public holiday roster. With forests and mountains covering nearly 70% of Japan's landmass, mountains have played a central role in Japanese culture, religion (mountain worship), and ecology.
Why August 11th?
The date was chosen for a mix of visual and practical reasons. The kanji character for eight (八) resembles the shape of a mountain, while the number 11 resembles two trees standing side by side. Furthermore, placing it in mid-August allows it to connect with the traditional Obon holiday period, giving people a longer continuous break to travel or enjoy nature.