Mountain Day ¨Yama no Hi – 山の日¨ is a new holiday in Japan held on August 11th, officially announced in 2014 but began to be celebrated for the first time in 2016. It was created to give people the opportunity to get closer to the mountains and to give thanks for the benefits they offer, although most people consider it as just another day off.
If August 11th falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be transferred to Monday.
- Why was this date chosen?
Because the kanji eight (八) looks a bit like the sides of a mountain, and the kanji 11 looks a bit like two trees. Furthermore, there are no other public holidays in August, so people are expected to stop working to enjoy the mountains.
- How is Japan Mountain Day celebrated?
Being such a new addition, there are no established customs to honor this day. However, the general recommendation is to spend some time exploring and enjoying the mountains, hiking, or climbing.
National Holiday: Mountain Day