Only in Japan; a day for beautiful intestines!

Every month on the 8th, Japan marks Beautiful Intestines Day スッキリ美腸の日 (Sukkiri bicho no hi), what we might call "a clean and healthy gut" in English. It is a health‑focused observance created by the Japan Beautiful Intestines Association.

The date was chosen for two reasons: first, gut health requires continuous, year‑round care, and second, the shape of the intestines resembles the number 8, making the eighth day a symbolic reminder to check in with your digestive wellbeing. 

On the one hand, I am impressed by how even the most bizarre things have an anniversary in Japan. On the other, I am grossed out by the idea of beautiful intestines! We rarely pair beauty with internal organs, with maybe the exception of a "beautiful heart", which is more metaphorical than literal. Meanwhile, beautiful intestines is literal.