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Kung nakatira o nagtatrabaho ka sa Japan, isa sa mga national holidays na mae-encounter mo during Golden Week ay :

みどりの日（みどりのひ / Midori no Hi）

Greenery Day

Greenery Day is celebrated every May 4. Its official purpose is to encourage people to enjoy and appreciate nature, be thankful for its benefits, and cultivate a richer spirit.

For OFWs in Japan, magandang malaman kung ano ang meaning ng holiday na ito—and how Golden Week can affect your work, travel, banking, government appointments, and remittance plans.

1. What Is Greenery Day?

Greenery Day（みどりの日） is an official Japanese national holiday observed every :

May 4

It is a day dedicated to appreciating :

• Nature

• Trees and forests

• Plants and flowers

• Green spaces

• The benefits people receive from the natural environment

Simple lang ang idea: enjoy nature and appreciate what it gives us.

2. Why Is It Called Greenery Day?

The Japanese word :

みどり（Midori）

means green/greenery.

The holiday reflects Japan's appreciation for its natural environment, including forests, mountains, gardens, parks, and seasonal landscapes.

Japan's official holiday law describes Greenery Day as a day to become familiar with nature, appreciate its blessings, and nurture a rich heart.

3. Was Greenery Day Always on May 4?

No.

Greenery Day was originally observed on April 29.

April 29 had previously been the birthday of Emperor Shōwa. After his death, the date became Greenery Day in 1989.

Then, beginning in 2007 :

• April 29 → Showa Day（昭和の日）

• May 4 → Greenery Day（みどりの日）

The Japanese government explains that May 4 was chosen partly because it falls during the season of fresh greenery and within Golden Week.

4. Is Greenery Day Part of Golden Week?

Yes!

Greenery Day is right in the middle of :

ゴールデンウィーク（Gōruden Wīku）

Golden Week

The main national holidays around this period are :

• April 29 – Showa Day

• May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day

• May 4 – Greenery Day

• May 5 – Children's Day

Depending on the calendar, weekends and substitute holidays can make the break even longer. For example, in 2026, May 6 was also a holiday under Japan's substitute-holiday rule.

5. Do OFWs Automatically Have No Work?

Not necessarily.

Although Greenery Day is a national holiday, your actual day off depends on your :

• Employment contract

• Company calendar

• Shift schedule

• Workplace

• Industry

If you work in :

• Restaurants

• Hotels

• Convenience stores

• Retail

• Hospitals

• Transportation

• Factories

• Tourism

you may still be scheduled to work.

So don't automatically think :

“May 4? Holiday! Walang pasok!”

Always check your company schedule first.

6. Do You Automatically Receive Extra Pay?

Not always.

A national holiday in Japan is not necessarily the same as your legally designated statutory holiday under labor rules.

Whether additional pay applies depends on your work schedule and employment conditions.

If you're working on Greenery Day and you're unsure about your pay, check your :

• Employment contract

• Company rules

• Work schedule

• HR/payroll policy

7. What Do People Do on Greenery Day?

There isn't one specific tradition that everyone follows.

Since the holiday celebrates nature, many people may spend the day :

• Visiting parks

• Hiking

• Going to gardens

• Visiting botanical gardens

• Having a picnic

• Enjoying flowers

• Spending time outdoors

• Traveling with family

For OFWs, it's a nice excuse to get outside and explore Japan beyond your usual bahay → train → work → train → bahay routine.

8. Explore Japan's Parks and Gardens 

Japan has many beautiful :

公園（Kōen） – Parks

庭園（Teien） – Gardens

植物園（Shokubutsuen） – Botanical gardens

Greenery Day can be a good opportunity to explore the natural spaces around your city.

Some facilities may hold special events or activities around Greenery Day, but admission rules and schedules vary, so check the official website before visiting.

9. What Is “Greenery Month”?

Japan also observes :

みどりの月間（Midori no Gekkan）

Greenery Month

It runs from April 15 to May 14.

During this period, activities are held to increase public understanding and appreciation of greenery and nature.

So Greenery Day is part of a broader period promoting appreciation of Japan's natural environment.

10. Expect Golden Week Crowds

Since May 4 falls during Golden Week, expect popular places to be busy.

You may encounter crowds at :

• Train stations

• Airports

• Parks

• Tourist destinations

• Theme parks

• Shopping malls

• Restaurants

• Highway rest areas

If you're planning to travel, reserve transportation and accommodation as early as possible.

11. Check Your Train Schedule

Public transportation generally continues operating during national holidays.

However, trains and buses may use a :

土休日ダイヤ（Dokyūjitsu Daiya）

Weekend/Holiday timetable

If you're working on Greenery Day, check your route before leaving home.

Your usual weekday train or bus may operate differently.

12. Government Offices May Be Closed

Government offices are generally closed on national holidays.

This may include :

• City Hall

• Ward Office

• Government administrative counters

• Other public offices

Kung may kailangan kang :

• Residence certificate

• Tax documents

• Address-related procedures

• My Number-related services

• Other government paperwork

try to handle them before Golden Week.

13. Check Your Banking Schedule

Many bank branches are closed during national holidays.

ATMs and online banking may still be available depending on the institution, but some transactions may not be processed on the same schedule as normal business days.

Because several Golden Week holidays are close together, don't leave important banking transactions until the last minute.

14. Plan Your Remittance Ahead

For OFWs, this is particularly important.

If you're planning to send money to your family in the Philippines around Golden Week, check :

• Remittance processing schedules

• Bank schedules

• Payout availability

• Japanese holidays

• Philippine holidays

• When your beneficiary actually needs the money

Kung kailangan ng family mo ang money for bills, tuition, rent, groceries, or other important expenses, it's better to plan ahead rather than wait until the holiday period.

15. Enjoy Nature Without Leaving a Mess

If you're celebrating Greenery Day by visiting a park, mountain, garden, or picnic area, remember :

Leave the place as clean as you found it.

Follow local rules regarding :

• Garbage

• Smoking

• Food

• Barbecue

• Pets

• Camping

• Restricted areas

If there are no garbage bins, be prepared to take your trash home.

Appreciating nature also means taking care of it.

16. Hiking During Greenery Day

May can be a beautiful time for outdoor activities in Japan.

If you're planning to hike :

• Check the weather.

• Wear proper shoes.

• Bring enough water.

• Charge your phone.

• Tell someone where you're going.

• Check the trail difficulty.

• Follow warning signs.

• Don't enter closed trails.

Don't underestimate a mountain just because it's a holiday trip.

17. A Good Day to Slow Down

For many OFWs, life in Japan can become very routine :

Work. Commute. Bills. Padala. Repeat.

Greenery Day can be a nice reminder to take some time for yourself.

You don't need an expensive vacation.

A walk through a local park, picnic with friends, or short trip somewhere green can already be a good way to enjoy the holiday.

Useful Japanese Words

みどりの日（Midori no Hi） – Greenery Day

自然（Shizen） – Nature

緑（Midori） – Green / greenery

公園（Kōen） – Park

庭園（Teien） – Garden

植物園（Shokubutsuen） – Botanical garden

森林（Shinrin） – Forest

山（Yama） – Mountain

花（Hana） – Flower

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

ゴールデンウィーク（Gōruden Wīku） – Golden Week

Greenery Day Checklist for OFWs

• Remember that Greenery Day is every May 4.

• Check whether you have work.

• Check your company's Golden Week schedule.

• Complete important government procedures beforehand.

• Check banking schedules.

• Plan important remittances ahead.

• Check train and bus holiday schedules.

• Book transportation early if traveling.

• Expect parks and tourist attractions to be busy.

• Follow local rules when visiting natural areas.

• Take your garbage home when necessary.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

• Don't automatically assume “national holiday = walang pasok.”

• Use the holiday to discover a park, garden, or nature spot near your home.

• If you're traveling during Golden Week, plan and book early.

• Process important City Hall documents before the holiday period.

• Plan your remittance early if your family needs money on a specific date.

• Check public transportation schedules before leaving.

• Enjoy Japan's beautiful natural spaces—but always keep them clean.

Greenery Day（みどりの日） is celebrated every May 4 as a day to appreciate nature, be thankful for its benefits, and nurture a richer spirit.

For OFWs in Japan, it's also a chance to take a break from the usual routine and experience another side of Japanese life. Visit a park, enjoy the fresh spring greenery, take a short nature trip, or simply spend some peaceful time outdoors.

Since Greenery Day falls during Golden Week, remember to plan ahead for work schedules, transportation, government services, banking, and remittances.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical guides at useful information para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident sa everyday life in Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.