Greenery Day
May 4, 2027
About Greenery Day
Greenery Day, known in Japanese as Midori no Hi, is a national public holiday observed in Japan on 4 May each year. In 2027 it falls on Tuesday 4 May. The day is dedicated to nature and the environment, encouraging people to appreciate the natural world and to give thanks for its blessings. It sits in the middle of Golden Week, the cluster of public holidays that makes early May one of the busiest travel periods in the Japanese calendar.
The Story Behind Greenery Day
Greenery Day has an unusual origin rooted in the history of the Japanese imperial family. The holiday began as a way to mark the birthday of Emperor Shōwa, also known as Hirohito, who reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989. His birthday, 29 April, had been a public holiday throughout his long reign.
When the Emperor died in 1989 and his son Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, the government faced a question of what to do with the 29 April holiday. Rather than abolish a popular day off, officials renamed it Greenery Day. The new name acknowledged the late Emperor’s well-known love of plants and the natural world without referring to him by name, a careful choice given the contested legacy of his wartime reign.
The holiday changed again in 2007. Under a revision to the law governing public holidays, 29 April was renamed Shōwa Day to honour the Shōwa era directly, and Greenery Day was moved to 4 May. This shift also helped knit together the run of holidays that forms Golden Week, filling what had previously been an ordinary working day between Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May and Children’s Day on 5 May.
The result is that Greenery Day now serves two purposes at once. It preserves the original spirit of appreciating nature, and it provides a continuous string of holidays that lets families travel, rest and spend time outdoors together.
When and Where is Greenery Day Celebrated?
Greenery Day is celebrated across Japan on 4 May every year. In 2027 the holiday falls on Tuesday 4 May. As a fixed-date national holiday it does not move, although when it lands on a Sunday the following Monday is generally observed as a substitute holiday under Japanese law.
The day is part of Golden Week, alongside Shōwa Day on 29 April, Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May and Children’s Day on 5 May. Many parks, botanical gardens and public attractions offer free or reduced admission, and families take advantage of the spring weather to visit gardens and green spaces.
Traditions and Customs
- Free garden admission. Many botanical gardens, parks and zoos across Japan waive or reduce entry fees to encourage people to enjoy nature.
- Tree planting and gardening. Some communities organise tree-planting events or gardening activities to reflect the day’s environmental theme.
- Family outings. Falling within Golden Week, the day is widely used for picnics, hikes and visits to scenic countryside spots.
- Appreciating spring foliage. Early May brings fresh green leaves, and the practice of admiring this new growth has its own word in Japanese, shinryoku, meaning fresh verdure.
- Environmental events. Schools and local groups sometimes hold activities that highlight conservation and the value of green spaces.
Ways to Celebrate Greenery Day
- Spend time outdoors in a park, garden or forest and take in the fresh spring greenery.
- Plant a tree, sow seeds or tend to houseplants to honour the day’s connection with nature.
- Visit a botanical garden or arboretum, especially if local sites are offering free admission.
- Learn about Japanese gardening traditions, from bonsai to the art of the tea garden.
- Pick up litter or join a community clean-up to give something back to your local green spaces.
- Share photographs of nature using the day’s hashtags to encourage others to step outside.
Facts and Figures
- Greenery Day was created in 1989 from the former birthday holiday of Emperor Shōwa.
- In 2007 the holiday was moved from 29 April to its current date of 4 May.
- The Japanese name, Midori no Hi, translates directly as “green day”, with midori meaning green.
- The holiday is one of four that make up Golden Week, one of Japan’s three main holiday seasons.
- Greenery Day reflects a long-standing cultural value placed on harmony with nature, seen in everything from gardens to seasonal cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Greenery Day in 2027?
Greenery Day falls on Tuesday 4 May 2027. It is observed on the same date every year as a fixed national holiday in Japan.
Why is it called Greenery Day?
The name honours nature and the late Emperor Shōwa’s love of plants. When his birthday holiday was renamed in 1989, “Greenery Day” allowed Japan to keep the day off while celebrating the natural world rather than naming the Emperor directly.
Is Greenery Day part of Golden Week?
Yes. Greenery Day on 4 May sits between Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May and Children’s Day on 5 May, forming part of the run of holidays known as Golden Week.
Spread the Word
Help others learn about Greenery Day by sharing this page and using the hashtags #GreeneryDay, #MidoriNoHi and #GoldenWeek on social media. Whether you plant a tree, visit a garden or simply take a walk among the spring leaves, it is a gentle reminder to value the natural world around us.
Related Awareness Days
Links
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