Though Japan’s Yama-no-hi, or Mountain Day, on August 11 is observed as a national holiday, there is no official celebration.

The holiday became official in 2014 as a day to familiarize people with mountains and appreciate their blessings. Mountains play a large role in Japanese culture, as 9.7 million people hike and climb the country’s peaks every year, according to the Japan Productivity Center (2016).

Roughly 15,000 mountains account for about 70 percent of the Japanese archipelago, according to the Japanese Alpine Club.

The first Sunday of June was a strong candidate, but Aug. 11 was chosen as it is just before the traditional Obon period (Aug. 13-15), allowing people to take longer leave – something the government has been pushing the hard-working people of Japan to do.

This year, the holiday falls on Sunday and the following Monday (Aug. 12) is observed as holiday, which makes a three-day weekend.

Employees in Japan will have the day off and government offices will be closed on Aug. 12 so plan ahead if you have official business.

Happy Mountain Day!

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