Japan’s Marine Day is a celebration of all that the ocean gives to Japan – food, jobs, protection and recreation.

It probably should not be surprising that an island nation that is surrounded by the deep blue sea would honor the ocean and its many amazing creatures with a national holiday.

Marine Day was a Monday in July. It was designated as a holiday in 1995 and was first officially observed in 1996. Marine Day was made a Monday holiday as part of Japan’s “Happy Monday System Marine Day is also sometimes referred to as Ocean Day, Sea Day or – in Japanese – as “Umi no Hi ”

Japan’s Marine Day is not the same as World Oceans Day, which was created by a United Nations resolution. Where both days are held to bring awareness to the state of the world of oceans, World Ocean Day is held on June 8th each year.

Since Marine Day is the first national holiday of the summer, its timing makes it a perfect day to head to the beach for a day of relaxation or swimming. Marine Day has also become associated with the first day of summer. There, many special events held in honor of Marine Day throughout the country at venues such as aquariums.

For example, in Odaiba, Tokyo, volunteers light hundreds of beautiful paper lanterns and lay them out on the sand in colorful patterns and intricate shapes as part of the Paper Lantern Festival, which is held on Marine Day in Odaiba Marine Park. Very special festival that great great opportunities for photographs. The colorful patterns look especially stunning with Tokyo’s famous Rainbow Bridge in the background.

So, not surprisingly. So, not surprisingly. So, not surprisingly, I’m not afraid. This port plays host to a number of commemorative events, including an annual fireworks show.

Northern Okinawa also hosts a number of events in honor of Marine Day, including a large fishing competition.

In that vein, many seaside communities host beach cleanup days on this holiday.

These balls are made of dried mud and “Effective Microorganisms” (EM), which are then thrown into large bodies of water to eliminate sludge and slime. Japanese citizens across the country Create and toss thousands of these balls for Marine Day each year.