Singing praises of the oceans Jul 22, 2021

Singing praises of the oceans

In Japan, mid-July brings an excuse to head to the beach. That"s because this time of year marks Marine Day (aka Ocean Day), an observance recognizing the close bond the island nation shares with the seas and ocean that surround it. Because Marine Day roughly coincides with the end of the rainy season, it has, over the years, become a sort of unofficial kickoff to the hot summer season. One place sure to attract visitors is the picturesque Minokake-Iwa rock formation seen here, lying off the island of Honshu and its mountainous 31-mile-long Izu Peninsula.

© Krzysztof Baranowski/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jul 22, 2018Travel Sunday: On the Ganges in Varanasi, India
Jul 22, 2019Let’s go mothing
Jul 22, 2020Wildebeest on the move
Jul 22, 2022Our Lady of the Rocks
Jul 22, 2023National Hammock Day
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park in South Dakota

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 18, 2019An opulent backdrop for a historic event
Jun 23, 2025The Elbe in Dresden, Germany
Oct 29, 2024Great horned owl
Sep 10, 2023Grandparents Day
Mar 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Jan 23, 2018Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil
Oct 8, 2020An underwater rainbow
Nov 5, 2020A medieval Moorish gem
Feb 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day
Jul 27, 2020A stunning sight in Mexico s wilderness
Oct 10, 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan
Oct 29, 2025Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
Sep 26, 2024Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
Sep 19, 2022State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Dec 18, 2025Celebrating 54 years of Capitol Reef National Park
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
Mar 4, 2025Happy Fat Tuesday!
Dec 9, 2025National Llama Day
Apr 23, 2018National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Dec 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska
Sep 25, 2025Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Jan 9, 2021The stylish Spanish shawl
Sep 9, 2025A Eurasian red squirrel in Switzerland
Nov 7, 2025Polar Bear Week
Mar 15, 2024Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Sep 27, 2021Sharp-dressed bug
May 16, 2023American Wetlands Month
Jan 17, 2019A wassailing we go
Feb 10, 2019Groovy!
May 23, 2020Bask in the glow—It s World Turtle Day