Omijima Island in Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Japan

Alps of the Sea. Marine Day in Japan

The striking coastline of Omijima Island has earned it the nickname the Alps of the Sea. Its sheer cliffs and dramatic angles certainly echo the skyscraping peaks in that European mountain range. But a visit to Omijima Island will take you to the other side of the world, to Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Year-round scuba diving adventures reveal a world under the waves just as beautiful as the one above the surface.

Today Japan celebrates Marine Day. Also known as 'Ocean Day' or 'Sea Day,' Marine Day is a celebration of the life-giving waters that surround the island nation. Usually celebrated on the third Monday of July, Marine Day offers an excuse to visit beaches to swim, snorkel, surf, or dive. National aquariums also host special water-related events on this day.