May 9, 2026
Japan Round-Trip Passport Day
Today, and May 9th annually, is Japan Round-Trip Passport Day 日本一周パスポートの日. But it is also paired with another date - July 1st. "Japan Round-Trip Passport Day" was established by 47arounders who also introduced an anniversary encouraging travel in October. S/he is also behind the brand 47arounders and created the beautifully designed Japan Round-Trip Passport.
"Japan Round-Trip Passport day" encourages people to travel all 47 prefectures of Japan. If you do the challenge through 47arounders and buy the Round-Trip passport, it has a dedicated page to each prefecture. It is a great way to record your travel memories in what will become a personal album that grows richer with each journey and gives you a permanent record of your trips.
According to the Japan Anniversary Association, the dates of May 9th and July 1st were chosen to promote travelling the 47 prefectures of Japan, because together 5/9 and 7/1 read as "ko (5) ku (9) na (7) i (1)", the Japanese for "domestic", symbolizing the spirit of traveling domestically across Japan.
Do you have a Japan Round-Trip Passport?
*The photo is from a textbook and not related to the Japan Round-Trip Passport.
Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com
2 Comments
TonetoEdo
on May 9
I've been to some prefectures that many Kanto and Kansai people haven't been to! Ehime, Kochi, Kagawa, and Tokushima. One of my friends has the Starbucks app on her phone. Each prefecture she visits, she gets a stamp emblematic of the prefecture, appearing on a digital map.
BigfamJapan
on May 9
@TonetoEdo I'd say that is a popular feature for many. I like to journal the old-fashioned way though, so I really like the sound of the passport. I may even get it in the future.