Yama no Hi (山の日), or Mountain Day, was created in May 2014, so that the eight prefectures of Japan without direct access to the sea could honor the nature around them.

The national holiday was advocated by the Japanese Alpine Club and other mountain advocacy groups, arguing that mountains are integral to Japanese culture with its Shinto beliefs emphasizing the spiritual significance of nature.

The date of August 11 was selected partly because the character for the number eight in Japanese script resembles a mountain (山), while eleven resembles two trees, and so together 8/11 symbolizes nature.

Many Japanese observe the day with outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and mountain climbing.

Some communities schedule clean-up events and nature appreciation activities promoting environmental conservation.