Nestled amongst Japan’s vibrant festivities and cherished traditions lies a celebration rooted in reverence for nature―Midori-no-Hi (みどりの日 Greenery Day). Observed annually on 4 May, this national holiday is a testament to Japan's profound connection with the environment, serving as a reminder to appreciate the lush landscapes that adorn the island nation, which is made of 70% mountains.
Greenery Day: A Celebration of Nature
4 May is Greenery Day. | Photo by photoAC
Greenery Day was originally Emperor Showa's Birthday, honouring the birthday of the emperor of the Showa Era (1926-1989), Hirohito, who was an avid nature enthusiast. After the ascension of the next emperor, Akihito, the holiday was changed from “Emperor’s Birthday” to “Greenery Day”, and became a day dedicated solely to nature appreciation.
Not just a token gesture towards conservation or another day to extend the Golden Week vacation, Greenery Day serves as a catalyst for environmental awareness and eco-consciousness, with many schools organising tree-planting activities, communities embarking on clean-up campaigns, and families flocking to parks and gardens to immerse themselves in the magnificence of nature.
Shinryoku: The Season of Verdant Splendour
Shinryoku literally means “fresh green” or “new green”. | Photo by photoAC
Coinciding with Greenery Day is the onset of the shinryoku (新緑) season, a time when Japan's landscapes undergo a stunning transformation, being blanketed in vibrant hues of green, a colour teeming with life. Shinryoku translates to "fresh green," and represents the emergence of new life and vitality.
Cherry blossoms and other flowers wilt to make way for fresh new leaves, with forests, parks, and countryside areas bursting forth with verdant greenery. With mild temperatures and stunning landscapes, the shinryoku season is the perfect time to explore Japan’s natural wonders and scenic beauty.
5 Places to Visit this Shinryoku Season
Japan's diverse topography offers a cornucopia of natural wonders, each boasting its own unique charm and allure. As Greenery Day approaches, let us embark on a journey to five enchanting destinations that epitomise the splendour of Japan's shinryoku season.
1. Yakushima: A Primeval Paradise
Moss-covered paths in Yakushima. | Photo by Carissa Loh
Tucked away in the southern Japan in Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) lies Yakushima (屋久島), an island steeped in myth and mystique. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yakushima's ancient cedar forests are a testament to the enduring power of nature. Here, colossal yakusugi (屋久杉 Yakushima cedar trees) stand tall, with some dating back over a thousand years, their gnarled trunks hinting at the centuries of life they have endured.
Walking through Yakushima is like being in the Studio Ghibli animated movie Princess Mononoke. | Photo by Carissa Loh
Embark on a pilgrimage through Yakushima's pristine wilderness and hike along moss-laden trails, and marvel at the sheer majesty of the Jomon Sugi (縄文杉), a massive cedar tree believed to be one of Japan's oldest. The ethereal greenery will make you feel like you are walking in a scene from Princess Mononoke.
Yakushima (屋久島)
Access: Yakushima’s Miyanoura Port is a 2-hour jetfoil ferry ride from Kagoshima Port
2. Takachiho Gorge: Land of Legends
Gorgeous Takachiho Gorge from below. | Photo by photoAC
In the heart of Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) lies Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡), an area steeped in Shinto mythology and mystique. According to legend, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu was upset with her brother Susano-o, so she hid herself in a cave, sealed herself behind a large rock, and the world was plunged into darkness.
Without Amaterasu’s light, the world was filled with darkness and disaster. To lure Amaterasu out of hiding, the other gods started dancing hilariously and laughing merrily, and a curious Amaterasu moved the rock to sneak a peek at the merriment. Upon seeing this, the God of Strength threw the rock far away with all his might, so that Amaterasu couldn’t hide behind it anymore.
Gorgeous Takachiho Gorge from above. | Photo by photoAC
Takachiho is the area where the cave is, and the place where the large rock landed is Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture. Today, Takachiho Gorge's dramatic landscape continues to captivate visitors with its sheer cliffs, emerald forests, and cascading waterfalls.
Explore Takachiho's natural wonders from below by rowing a boat through the gorge's tranquil waters, paddling under a 17m-high refreshing waterfall, or from above, strolling along a paved path that overlooks the enchanting scenery below.
Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡)
Access: 30-minute walk from Takachiho Bus Center, which is a 1.5-hour bus ride from JR Nobeoka Station (延岡駅)
3. Kamikochi: The Jewel of the Northern Alps
Kamikochi in the Northern Alps. | Photo by photoAC
Nestled amidst the soaring peaks of Japan’s Northern Alps lies Kamikochi (上高地), a picturesque highland region revered for its crystalline rivers and pristine alpine scenery. As spring breathes new life into the landscape, Kamikochi emerges from its winter slumber, with vibrant green foliage shining against a background of snow-covered peaks that reach 3,000m high.
Kappa Bridge, a symbol of Kamikochi. | Photo by photoAC
Explore Kamikochi's varied network of hiking trails, which offering panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks and mirror-like ponds, and enjoy the scenery from the iconic Kappa Bridge (河童橋), where the Azusa River (梓川) glistens like liquid jade, with the snow-capped majestic Hotaka Mountain Range in the distance.
Kamikochi (上高地)
Access: 60-minute bus ride from Shinshimashima Station (新島々駅)
4. Kameiwa Cave: Japan’s Most Instagrammable Cave
The magical heart-shaped light reflection. | Photo by photoAC
Hidden away in the heart of Chiba Prefecture (千葉県) lies Kameiwa Cave (亀岩の洞窟), a place that has gained popularity all over social for the beautiful heart-shaped light reflection formed on the surface of the water. A rock arching over the Nomizo Waterfall (濃溝の滝), when the light shines through the cave at the right angle, the reflected scenery in the water results in a lovely heart-shape.
While the heart-shape light reflection is best seen during early mornings of the equinox months of March and September, the shinryoku season lends lush greenery to the park, where you can on wooden boardwalks and take in the refreshing air.
Kameiwa Cave (亀岩の洞窟)
Access: 30-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride from JR Kazusa-Kameyama Station (上総亀山駅)
5. Oirase Stream: A Picture-perfect Stream
Lush greenery brimming with life at Oirase Stream. | Photo by photoAC
Located in mainland Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Aomori (青森県), the 14km-long Oirase Stream (奥入瀬渓流) meanders through a verdant ravine, casting a spell of tranquillity upon all who behold its beauty. Lush forests line its banks, their verdant canopies shading the cool, flowing waters below, creating an otherworldly scene of natural splendour.
Go on leisurely stroll along Oirase Stream's easy-to-walk walking trail, passing by scenic waterfalls and picturesque rapids, and inhaling the fresh air and scent of the forest.
Oirase Stream (奥入瀬渓流)
Access: 2-hour bus ride from JR Hachinohe Station (八戸駅) or JR Aomori Station (青森駅)
Appreciate Nature and Bask in its Wondrous Greenery
Goodbye sakura, hello new greens! | Photo by photoAC
This May 4th, may the force and beauty of nature be on your mind as Japan's Greenery Day approaches and the shinryoku season unfurls its vibrant tapestry. Embrace nature’s timeless splendour and embark on a journey of discovery and appreciation by visiting some of Japan’s most scenic landscapes―from the flowing waters of Oirase Stream to the mythical landscapes of Takachiho Gorge, and the ancient beauty of Yakushima, Japan's natural wonders are beckoning!
Go Green with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Matcha-Themed Snack Box
So Much Matcha is a green tea-themed Japanese snack box by JAPAN RAIL CLUB!
Greenery Day is a day for appreciating nature, and there’s no greener snack from Japan than matcha (抹茶) made from green tea leaves! Did you know? The tea leaves used for the production of matcha are typically harvested in early May—coinciding with the beginning of shinryoku season? Dive into the green world of matcha this May 2024 with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s “So Much Matcha” Omiyage Snack Box, a tea-themed snack box filled with green goodies from Japan!
Ready to indulge in matcha? We gotcha! Here’s an exclusive promo code “MATCHA15” that you can use to enjoy a 15% discount when you subscribe to our 12-month Snack Subcription Plan by 31 May 2024. Happy Greenery Day!
