Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)2026 · Date · History · Messages
Cabinet Office of Japan verifies Greenery Day as a national holiday, its 1989 creation on April 29 and the 2005 amendment moving it to May 4 from 2007.
About Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)
Greenery Day, or Midori no Hi, is a Japanese national holiday observed on May 4.
Japan’s Cabinet Office describes its purpose as becoming familiar with nature, appreciating its benefits and fostering a rich spirit.
Why Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) matters
The holiday’s focus is nature appreciation rather than a requirement to follow one specific activity.
Its current legal identity is part of Japan’s National Holidays Act framework.
History of Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)
The Cabinet Office says Greenery Day was created by a 1989 amendment to the National Holidays Act and was initially observed on April 29.
That date had previously been the Emperor’s Birthday.
A 2005 amendment, Law No. 43 of 2005, changed the framework so that from 2007 April 29 became Shōwa Day and Greenery Day moved to May 4.
The current Cabinet Office holiday calendar lists Greenery Day on May 4 and confirms national holidays are holidays under the Act.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Emperor’s Birthday on April 29
When the statutory framework changed in 1989, April 29 became Greenery Day rather than retaining the former Emperor’s Birthday designation.
National Diet of Japan
Act Partially Amending the Act on National Holidays (Act No. 5 of 1989)
First documented observance
The Cabinet Office states that the holiday was created by the 1989 amendment and placed on April 29; the record treats that as the first statutory Greenery Day under the new designation.
Moved Greenery Day from April 29 to May 4 effective in 2007 and established Shōwa Day on April 29.
National Diet of Japan · Act Partially Amending the Act on National Holidays (Act No. 43 of 2005)
Government of Japan / Cabinet Office for national-holiday administration
The Cabinet Office maintains the official national-holiday calendar and explanatory material.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Greenery Day
How to Observe Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)
Spend time in a park, garden or natural area while following local access and conservation rules.
Learn about native plants or seasonal ecology from a reliable local source.
Join a safe, authorized cleanup or planting activity if one is available.
Avoid collecting protected plants or disturbing wildlife.
Use the day to learn how Japanese law and custom shape the holiday rather than treating it as a generic international nature day.
Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) Facts
Greenery Day is a Japanese national holiday on May 4.
It was created in 1989 and was originally observed on April 29.
The 2005 amendment moved Greenery Day to May 4 from 2007.
April 29 became Shōwa Day under the later framework.
The holiday’s statutory purpose centers on nature appreciation and gratitude for its benefits.
Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) Messages
Wishing everyone in Japan a thoughtful Greenery Day on May 4.
May Greenery Day bring time outdoors, curiosity and respect for the natural world.
Celebrate nature with actions that protect rather than disturb it.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Cabinet Office of Japan — Greenery Day history (opens in a new tab)
National Government Holiday History
Cabinet Office of Japan — National Holidays (opens in a new tab)
National Government Holiday Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)?
4 May The documented recurrence rule is: 4 May.
Does Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Japanese national holiday. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)?
The reviewed sources identify National Diet of Japan as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Government of Japan / Cabinet Office for national-holiday administration.
Is Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Japanese national holiday. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Greenery Day in Japan?
It is observed on May 4.
Was Greenery Day always on May 4?
No. It was initially on April 29 and moved to May 4 from 2007.
Is Greenery Day a national holiday?
Yes. The Cabinet Office lists it under Japan’s National Holidays Act.
Why did the date change?
A 2005 legal amendment restructured the holidays: April 29 became Shōwa Day and Greenery Day moved to May 4 from 2007.
What is the holiday’s purpose?
The Cabinet Office describes it as a day to become familiar with nature, appreciate its benefits and foster a rich spirit.
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