Here to celebrate all things gloriously green is Greenery Day, a Japanese national holiday celebrated annually on 4th May, dedicated to the joys of nature. But did you know that Greenery Day was initially set for a different date? What are the interesting origins of Greenery Day, and how do people celebrate, or rather observe this holiday? Why was the original date of Greenery Day changed to May 4th?
In this blog, we’ll talk about the origins of Green Day, as well as some interesting tidbits about the recognition of the color green in Japanese history. We’ll also focus on how you can observe this holiday and give back to nature.
What is Greenery Day?
Greenery Day, held every year on May 4th, is a day meant to appreciate all things green, more specifically, nature. It’s a day to appreciate the natural surroundings around you, think of forests, parks, rivers, and gardens.
If we take the translation of Greenery Day, or Midori no Hi (みどりの日) verbatim, we would probably come up with “Day of Green” or even “Green Day”. Interestingly, though, green (midori, 緑) only gained “color status” in its own right during the Heian period (794 AD). Before that, green was considered part of the blue color range. An example of this would be the Japanese word for fresh greenery – aoba (青葉), which comprises of two kanji, 青 (ao), meaning blue, and 葉 – leaves (ha).
History of Greenery Day
The history of Greenery Day has it’s interesting, if not controversial origins. Japan’s first Greenery Day took place less than 30 years ago on 29th April 1989. If you are already familiar with Japanese eras, emperors or events, then you may recognize 29th April as once being Tenno Tanjoubi (天皇誕生日) – the public holiday assigned to the reigning emperor’s birthday.
After Emperor Akihito succeeded the late Emperor Hirohito (now known as Emperor Showa) and ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, the Emperor’s Birthday was rightfully moved to his birthday. However, April 29th still remained a public holiday – with a new name and meaning – Greenery Day. It was only in 2007 that the government chose to formally separate Greenery Day from the Showa Emperor by renaming 29th April as Showa Day, and moving Greenery Day to 4th May, where it remains today. Greenery Day Although it was Emperor Showa’s love of plants which sowed the first seeds of Greenery Day, the public holiday has become synonymous with appreciating all of Mother Nature’s wonders, which present themselves in limitless colors.
However, as this was once a holiday to commemorate Emperor Showa, this holiday could be seen as controversial due to his role in the Second Sino-Japanese War, as well as World War 2, and that commemorating the late Emperor means glorifying Japan’s militaristic past. However you choose to observe Greenery Day, it’s undeniable that this holiday is meant to give back to nature.
When is Greenery Day?
Greenery Day occurs annually on May 4th. Along with other holidays like Constitution Memorial Day, Showa Day, and Children’s Day, Greenery Day makes up part of Golden Week, a holiday period that lasts from April 29th to May 5th. This is one of the longest holiday periods in Japan, and is a time for people to take the day off work and school.
Below is a table that indicates which day Greenery Day falls on. Plan your holidays accordingly!
| Year | Date | Day |
| 2026 | May 4th, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 4th, 2027 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | May 4th, 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | May 4th, 2029 | Friday |
| 2030 | May 4th, 2030 | Saturday |
How to celebrate Greenery Day
Many people will take this opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the big cities to visit their family and friends. Regardless, this is a good opportunity to appreciate and give back to the environment. Here are some of our recommendations on how you can observe Greenery Day:
Visit a park or a garden
What better way to bask in the nature around you than to go visit a park or garden in Japan? Some gardens, such as Rikugien Garden, Hama Rikyu Garden, Jindai Botanical Gardens, and more, offer free admission on Greenery Day. You can also take a stroll around your local park.
Participate in outdoor activities
This is also a good opportunity for you to participate in outdoor activities, especially if they are related to saving the environment. For example, while most people will treat Greenery Day as a regular holiday, many people will convene across the country to plant trees. This is to support afforestation efforts throughout the country as a way to give back to nature. Cleanups are also a popular initiative as well.
Other outdoor activities you can do to reconnect with nature include hiking, camping, and going on picnics.
Learn more about environmental awareness
Beyond the scenic walks and park strolls, Greenery Day is also a time to deepen environmental awareness. Nowadays, some people take the opportunity to learn more about sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. There are also workshops that teach about environmental conservation efforts, climate change, and how people can protect nature. Either way, committing to protecting the environment through your actions is a great way to observe this holiday.
Conclusion: Greenery Day is a day to appreciate and give back to nature.
Despite the potentially controversial history of Greenery Day, it’s ultimately a day to appreciate and give back to nature. What started out as a way to commemorate Emperor Showa’s love for nature has now evolved into a day to deepen environmental awareness and work towards a greener future. Greenery Day is about appreciating and conserving our planet, so why not see if you can start living a little greener by wasting less, buying less, or walking more?
Study Japanese With Us!
Now that you’ve learned the meaning behind Greenery Day, maybe you want to learn some Japanese nature-related vocabulary. If that’s the case, why not come study Japanese with Coto Japanese Academy? With over 25 years of teaching practical Japanese, we offer classes in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Iidabashi, Minato, Yokohama, and online. In addition, we also offer JLPT preparation courses, and business Japanese courses to help you achieve your career goals.
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FAQ
What can I do on Greenery Day?
Besides participating in environmental initiatives and outdoor activities, you can also go for a hike, camp, or even have a picnic to appreciate the nature around you.
Why was Greenery Day moved to May 4th?
Initially, Greenery Day was held on April 29th, which was formerly the Emperor’s Birthday. In 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4th, while April 29th became Showa Day.
What foods are traditionally eaten on Greenery Day?
There isn’t a specific food per se, but you can observe Greenery Day by eating green, meaning eating a plant-based diet. You can also drink green tea, as the first green tea harvest in Japan occurs during Golden Week.