People in a Japanese mountain resort celebrated Mountain Day, Japan’s newest and 16th national holiday.
An event on Thursday celebrating the holiday was held in the Kamikochi resort in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Participants included Japan’s Crown Prince and his family, as well as central and local government officials.
Matsumoto Mayor Akira Sugenoya said he wants to create a high-quality tourism city as a gate to the world-class mountain resort.
Crown Prince Naruhito said it is important to tell children about the magnificence as well as the harshness of mountains, and teach them to appreciate all the blessings that mountains give us.
He said he hopes that Mountain Day will become a step toward a brighter future for mountains.
Local children read out a declaration and called on citizens to protect the nature and culture of beautiful mountains.
A man in his 60s said he is glad that Mountain Day was established as a national holiday. He added that he wants more people to get interested in mountains.
Source: NHK Image: Wikimedia Commons
