Mountain Day is a public holiday in Japan celebrated annually on August 11th. The special holiday, known as 'Yama no Hi', was established in 2014 and first officially observed in 2016. The day is set aside for celebrating and appreciating the gifts from mountains such as natural resources and beautiful sceneries. Recognizing it as an opportunity to become closer to mountains and appreciate blessings from nature, Mountain Day is one of the newer holidays in Japan’s calendar.
Traditionally, on Mountain Day, many Japanese people take the opportunity to escape the often oppressive summer heat and humidity of the cities, to enjoy the cooler temperatures of the mountainous regions. Families organize hiking trips and spend time amidst the serenity of these highland locales. The fact that Japan is a highly mountainous country with over 70% of its landmass classified as mountains, makes this holiday even more significant.
Mountain Day also reflects the historical and cultural significance of mountains to the Japanese populace. Mountains have frequently been depicted in local art and literature and are often associated with spirituality in Japan. For example, the Mount Fuji is not only an iconic image associated with Japan globally but is also worshipped as a deity in the Shinto faith. Hence, Mountain Day not only offers physical respite but also provides an avenue for spiritual reflection and renewal.