Umi no Hi
Japan may have an image as an all-work and no-play sort of place, but you’ve got to give the country credit for coming up with Umi no Hi. Observed on the third Monday of July, Umi no Hi literally means “Ocean Day,” but “Marine Day” and “Beach Day” would also be acceptable translations. It’s a national holiday expressly created to give everyone a day off to go have fun at the beach, and it just might be the greatest socially accepted reason ever for blowing off work.
This year, Japan got so into the spirit of the holiday that even people in prefectures with no coastline swore they could smell the sea. But was this just a summery olfactory hallucination, or a legitimate Umi no Hi miracle?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Pokémon Christmas village event taking place nightly in Yokohama
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Adorable dog plushie from Japan looks 100-percent like actual dog, but nothing like you’d expect
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Weekly
- Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort- Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods- Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings- Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
Giant new nine-floor arcade opens in Tokyo, wants to welcome new and old games fans alike
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Adorable dog plushie from Japan looks 100-percent like actual dog, but nothing like you’d expect
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
“Bear” voted Japan’s Kanji of the Year for 2025 in extremely close race
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Indulge in some ’90s anime nostalgia with Ranma ½ 30th anniversary line of apparel
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
Japanese people demand that Gackt taste the government’s old old old rice
-
