Day of the Sea in Japan 海の日　うみのひ

The Day of the Sea in Japan occurs on the third Monday of July every year. A public holiday for enjoying a trip to the beach!

A Day to Celebrated and Appreciate the Gifts of the Sea

Day of the Sea is the third Monday of July every year. It commemorates emperor Meiji taking his first sea voyage on Japan’s first iron steamship, which was constructed in Scotland, called the Meiji Maru. Today people are supposed to think of the importance of the ocean to Japan as an island nation. But mostly people go to the ocean and play. It usually coincides with the end of the month long rainy season.

How to Enjoy Day of the Sea

Normally the Day of the Sea in Japan is a time to go to the beach. As it always comes on a Monday instead of July 20th in olden days before 1996, there is a three day weekend to take advantage of.

Tokyo Kasai Rinkai Park Beach

Near Tokyo is the Kasai Seaside Park with a wide artificial beach and a nearby aquarium which should be free on this day.

Enoshima Beach, Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo

Further afield in Kanagawa is E-no-Shima (or Enoshima), which is very near large natural, beautiful, and extremely popular beaches extending the rest of the way to Atami in next door Shizuoka prefecture.

A board walk next to Enoshima beach during a very not busy time.

Tottori Sand Dunes Beach, Tottori Prefecture

For those who like deep, deep cuts of Japan, there are the enormous and amazing sand dunes along the northern shore of Tottori prefecture, not far from Tottori city.

Tottori sand dunes with a camel and ocean in the background.

Kotogahama Beach, Kochi Prefecture

Another deep cut of Japan’s pristine seaside wilderness are the beaches along the south shores of Kochi prefecture. These are wonderful and somewhat lonely dark grey sand beaches.