---
source: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan (内閣府)
url: https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html
document_type: html
date_retrieved: 2026-05-04T01:10:33+00:00
period: 2026 (Reiwa 8)
parent_publication: 国民の祝日について (About National Holidays)
indicators_covered: [Greenery Day (みどりの日)]
---

# Greenery Day (みどりの日) — May 4, 2026

**Source:** Cabinet Office, Government of Japan  
**Document:** 国民の祝日について (About National Holidays)  
**Reference Year:** 令和8年 (2026年)

## Official Holiday Listing for 2026

The Cabinet Office's official page lists all national holidays for 2026 and 2027. For 2026, the holidays in the Golden Week period are:

| Name | Date | Notes |
|------|------|-------|
| 昭和の日 (Showa Day) | April 29 | |
| 憲法記念日 (Constitution Memorial Day) | May 3 | |
| **みどりの日 (Greenery Day)** | **May 4** | |
| こどもの日 (Children's Day) | May 5 | |
| 休日 (Compensatory Holiday) | May 6 | Under Article 3-2 of the Holiday Law |

## Legal Definition

From the [National Holiday Law (国民の祝日に関する法律)](https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html#houritsu), Article 2:

> **みどりの日** — *Midori no Hi* (Greenery Day)  
> **Date:** May 4  
> **Purpose:** 自然に親しむとともにその恩恵に感謝し、豊かな心をはぐくむ。  
> ("To commune with nature, give thanks for its blessings, and cultivate a rich heart.")

## Historical Context

- **1989–2006:** May 4 was designated as a generic "national day of rest" (国民の休日) between Constitution Memorial Day and Children's Day.
- **2007 onward:** Renamed **Greenery Day** and officially moved to May 4 to honor former Emperor Showa's affinity for plants (without explicitly referencing him), while April 29 became Showa Day.

## Golden Week 2026

Greenery Day falls within Japan's longest continuous holiday period:

```
April 29 (Showa Day) → May 6 (Compensatory Holiday)
= 8 consecutive days off (including weekends)
```

The holiday cluster includes:
- **May 3:** Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日)
- **May 4:** Greenery Day (みどりの日)
- **May 5:** Children's Day (こどもの日)
- **May 6:** Compensatory holiday (振替休日) because May 3 is a Sunday in 2026

## Verification

The page explicitly lists **5月4日 · みどりの日** in the 2026 holiday table, confirming its status as a national holiday with no work obligation.

---

**Raw source saved:** `research_output/raw/415874.html`  
**Official government page:** https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html