Morning Activity Day (Asakatsu no Hi)

What Is Morning Activity Day?

August 4th is "Asakatsu no Hi" (Morning Activity Day) in Japan, established by Island Co., Ltd., which operates the morning-themed lifestyle magazine "Asa Jikan.jp," and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association. The aim is to spread the appeal of morning activities by sharing ideas for making mornings more enjoyable and productive. The date comes from the morning greeting "oha (8) yo (4) u" ("good morning").

What Exactly Is "Asakatsu"?

"Asakatsu" (morning activity) refers to a lifestyle centered on using the morning hours before work or school for study, exercise, hobbies, and more.

• Its benefits: many people report a sense of accomplishment at the start of the day, and find it easier to focus in the morning than at night
• Examples in practice: waking up early to read, jog, study for a certification, or do skincare -- the possibilities vary from person to person
• Tips for sticking with it: rather than suddenly waking up much earlier, it's said to be easier to keep going by moving your wake-up time earlier little by little, 15 or 30 minutes at a time

Why Focus on "Mornings"?

"Asa Jikan.jp" was created around the idea that mornings are the time of day when busy modern people can most reliably carve out uninterrupted time, and the site shares ideas and information for making mornings more enjoyable and productive.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Wake up a little earlier than usual and make good use of the morning
• Come up with a morning routine that suits you, whether reading or light exercise
• Browse sites like "Asa Jikan.jp" for morning-activity ideas
• Take time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast
• Decide the night before on one thing you want to do the next morning

Turning the Start of Your Day Into Time for Yourself

Using even a small part of your often-hectic mornings for yourself can change how fulfilling the whole day feels. Let August 4th be a chance to wake up just a little earlier and enjoy a morning that's entirely your own.