Home to the world's only shrine built to the air, Asahi Town in Yamagata Prefecture is speaking out about the importance of clean air, both at home and abroad.

Mika Sugiura, JAPAN Forward

Quietly tucked away deep in the mountains of Asahi Town in Yamagata Prefecture is the world’s only shrine to deify air: Kuki Jinja, or 'Air Shrine'.

Although designated a shrine, its roots are not strictly religious. Rather, it was built as a monument to the air after an elderly gentleman of the town questioned why there were no shrines that deified air, a vital element for all living creatures, even though there were shrines dedicated to gods of fire and water.

Asahi Town designated UN World Environment Day (June 5) as 'Asahi Town Air Day' by ordinance to spotlight the importance of air. The town is also calling for the designation of June 5 as a national holiday to provide all people in Japan with an opportunity to reflect on air quality and the global environment.