Greenery Day
Greenery Day is a national holiday in Japan that is celebrated on May 4th every year. The holiday was originally established in 1989 to coincide with the birthday of Emperor Showa, also known as Emperor Hirohito. After his death in 1989, the holiday was renamed Greenery Day in honor of Emperor Showa’s love for nature and his efforts to promote environmental conservation in Japan.
Emperor Showa was an avid botanist who spent much of his time studying and cultivating plants. He believed that nature was essential to the health and well-being of society and encouraged his people to respect and appreciate the natural world. Greenery Day was created to honor his legacy and encourage people to spend time in nature and show appreciation for all it provides.
On Greenery Day, people in Japan typically take part in outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and visiting parks and gardens. Schools and community groups often organize events and activities focused on environmental conservation, such as planting trees or cleaning up local parks and beaches.
Since its creation, Greenery Day has become an important holiday in Japan that promotes environmental awareness and encourages people to connect with nature. It is an opportunity for people to take a break from their busy lives to appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the natural world.
See also: London Rewilding Projects – Making the city Green Again.
Greenery Day celebrates the importance of nature and the need to protect and preserve our environment. It is a reminder that we are all connected to the natural world and are responsible for caring for it. By participating in Greenery Day celebrations, people in Japan and around the world can help promote environmental awareness and positively impact the planet.
How to celebrate:
- Plant a tree.
- Visit a Japanese tea house or tea garden because it is said that the best green tea leaves are harvested during this time.
- Spend some time in nature.
- Donate to a foundation working to preserve nature and biodiversity.
- Eat a green plant-based, or vegetarian meal.
Fun Facts:
- The attendance of the reigning Emperor is the main highlight of the holiday, whereby the emperor gives a speech, followed by tree planting done by the Emperor and Empress.
- In Japan, there are colourful parades in larger cities, and people often decorate the streets with paper lanterns.
- It is also called “Botanical Garden Day,” as many botanical gardens and Japanese gardens throughout the country are open to the public.
- Approximately 70% of Japan is covered in forests.
- Japan has over 4,500 varieties of plants and 90,000 animal species. More than 1,000 fish species can be found in the Sea of Japan.
