Sea Day Japan, the History Behind Umi no Hi
Sea Day looks, on the surface, like a simple day of beaches and fireworks. The real history behind Japan's Umi no Hi, the only national holiday in the world dedicated specifically to the sea, from a Meiji-era lighthouse ship to a 1941 naval commemoration.
Photo: Liz Yang / Pexels
Plenty of countries mark World Oceans Day with statements and beach clean-ups. Only one gives its entire workforce an actual paid day off specifically to honour the sea. Japan's Umi no Hi, Sea Day, falls on the third Monday of every July, and its real history is considerably stranger and more revealing than the beach photos and firework displays that now define it.
The ship at the centre of it was not built for conquest
The date traces back to 20 July 1876, when Emperor Meiji returned safely to Yokohama aboard a vessel called the Meiji Maru, concluding a tour of Japan's northeastern Tohoku region. The ship itself is a detail worth sitting with. It was not a warship or a symbol of naval power. It was a lighthouse tender, a working vessel built to service and supply the lighthouses guiding other ships safely along the coast. The holiday's founding image is not a fleet projecting strength. It is a single steamer doing the unglamorous, essential work of keeping sailors from running aground, and it survives today as a preserved cultural asset at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.
This article is for members only
Become a member to unlock this article and all premium content.
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief of Rich Woman Magazine, founder of Sovereign Magazine, author of many books, Dr Marina Nani is a social edification scientist coining a new industry, Social Edification. Passionately advocating to celebrate your human potential, she is well known for her trademark "Be Seen- Be Heard- Be You" running red carpet events and advanced courses like Blog Genius®, Book Genius®, Podcast Genius®, the cornerstones of her teaching. The constant practitioner of good news, she founded MAKE THE NEWS ( MTN) with the aim to diagnose and close the achievement gap globally. Founder of many publications, British Brands with global reach Marina believes that there is a genius ( Stardust) in each individual, regardless of past and present circumstances. "Not recognising your talent leaves society at loss. Sharing the good news makes a significant difference in your perception about yourself, your industry and your community."