Adventurers' Day

What Is Adventurers' Day?

Every August 30th is "Adventurers' Day" (冒険家の日, Bokenka no Hi) in Japan. On this day in 1965, Doshisha University's South American Andes-Amazon expedition became the first in the world to travel 130 km down the Amazon River from its headwaters by boat. And on this day in 1989, ocean adventurer Kenichi Horie completed a solo crossing of the Pacific in a small yacht. It is a day to think about the courage to take on the unknown -- and the careful preparation it requires.

Two Adventures on August 30th

Two events that stand out in the history of Japanese adventure fell on this date.

• Down the Amazon headwaters (1965): Doshisha University's South American Andes-Amazon expedition became the first in the world to travel 130 km down the Amazon from its headwaters by boat.
• The Mini Mermaid's solo Pacific crossing (1989): Kenichi Horie sailed solo across the Pacific from San Francisco to Nishinomiya, a voyage of about 136 days, in the "Mini Mermaid," a 2.8-meter yacht described as the smallest in the world.

Where Horie Began: The "Mermaid"

On August 12, 1962, Kenichi Horie became the first Japanese person to sail solo across the Pacific, in the small yacht "Mermaid." That date is known as "Pacific Crossing Day." Horie went on to pursue many more ocean adventures in a variety of boats.

Fun Facts About Adventure

• The word "adventurer": In Japanese, "bokenka" is also rendered with the English loanword "adventurer." Adventures take many forms, from exploring unknown lands to long voyages by yacht or balloon.
• Famous explorers in history: Well-known names include Columbus, who crossed the Atlantic; Vasco da Gama, who sailed around the southern tip of Africa to India; and Sven Hedin, who explored Central Asia.
• Columbus Day: In honor of Columbus reaching the Americas on October 12, 1492, the second Monday of October is "Columbus Day" in the United States.
• Naomi Uemura and August: Naomi Uemura, one of Japan's best-known adventurers, reached the summit of Mount McKinley (now Denali), North America's highest peak, solo on August 26, 1970, becoming the first person in the world to climb the highest peaks of five continents.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Try a small "first," such as walking a different route or stepping into a shop you have never visited
• Read books or records by adventurers such as Kenichi Horie or Naomi Uemura
• Spread out a map or globe and look for places you would like to visit someday
• Write down one challenge you want to take on and think about what preparation it needs

A Well-Prepared Step Opens Up the Unknown

August 30th is a day when the achievements of adventurers who took on the headwaters of the Amazon and the Pacific Ocean happen to coincide. None of these adventures were spur-of-the-moment; each was built on long preparation. Today, why not pick one small adventure of your own and start by preparing for it?