Another Mountain Day

You may know that August 11th is a national holiday called "Mountain Day" in Japan. It is a relatively new national holiday that was only enacted ten years ago, in 2016. However, what you may not know - unless you follow the daily anniversaries and observances in Japan as I do - is that the first Sunday of June annually is also Mountain Day 山の日 (Yama no Hi) in Japan! 

The day was established by an environmental organization in Hiroshima Prefecture to encourage people to appreciate mountains as living ecosystems that support forests, water, and wildlife. Mountains offer more than scenery; they provide clean air, biodiversity, and a place to slow down and breathe. Many people celebrate by hiking, joining forest‑care volunteer groups, or simply taking time to notice the greenery around them.

The timing also reflects Japan’s Environment Month, an ideal period to think of conservation and the role mountains play in daily life. Mountain Day offers an opportunity to rediscover the comfort and clarity that nature brings, and to nurture a sense of responsibility toward the landscapes that sustain us.