Forest and Lake Appreciation Week

While fact checking for my previous about Japan's Natural Park Day, I came across information for Forest and Lake Appreciation Week 森と湖に親しむ旬間 in Japan. It starts today, July 21st and is on until July 31st. Moreover, it is a well-established annual occurrence. 

It was started in 1987 as a national outreach initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in conjunction with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. For the occasion, they organize different events. Such as tours inside dam structures, recreational events in surrounding areas, and information outreach programs. Each year they use various different slogans. This year they include:

• Forests and Lakes: Refreshing Encounters
• Forests and Lakes: Discovering Your Hometown
• Forests and Lakes: A Refreshing Oasis for the Soul

The week encourages the public to enjoy forests and lakes to refresh both the body and mind, while deepening understanding of the importance of forests, dams and water resources. However, the problem is, as highlighted in my previous post about Natural Parks Day, that it is far too hot to be outdoors this year, with most of the country under a heatstroke alert for much of the period!