A day that feels like the islands are calling you

Today, and July 14th annually, is A day that feels like the islands are calling you 離島に呼ばれている気がする日 (Ritō ni yoba rete iru ki ga suru hi). The anniversary was created by an individual who created the brand "47arounders", which is a Japan Round Trip Passport Book.

The reason 47arounders created this anniversary is because the population of remote isalnds continue to decline. The aim is to increase "relationship population".  That is, people who maintain ongoing connections with island communities even if they don’t live there. Remote islands are special, healing, and deeply appealing travel destinations, and the hope is that more people will become interested in visiting them.

The date was set as July 14th as it is the day before “Domestic Shipping Day”. The hope is that someone might suddenly feel inspired and take a ship the very next day and visit a remote island!  This is at least the third anniversary they have created in a calendar year. The other two are:

• Japan Round-Trip Passport Day
• Let's take paid leave and go on a trip Day