About this Holiday
Marine Day (Umi no Hi) honors the ocean's blessings and celebrates Japan's identity as a maritime nation. The holiday was originally set on July 20, commemorating Emperor Meiji's return to Yokohama Harbor on July 20, 1876, after a voyage along the Tohoku coast. Japan, surrounded by the sea on all sides, has a deep cultural connection to the ocean — from fishing and seafood culture to its maritime trade history. Marine Day falls on the third Monday of July, often marking the start of summer holidays.