Today is a national holiday in Japan called Greenery Day (みどりの日). For a few years now it has fallen on May 4th, but it used to be celebrated on April 29th. It was once associated with the Showa Emperor but has since been commuted to a holiday celebrating nature and life. It is a nice way to recognize the Showa Emperor in a form that celebrates something he was known for enjoying while avoided certain political aspect of the Showa Era.
Personally, I think the best part of Greenery Day is the free access to my favourite park in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑). This year my friend Nori and I wandered around and shot some photos with several thousand other people.
Today is also notable as it is the first festival or holiday so far since the disaster in Tohoku that seems to have felt normal to most people. People are finally starting to relax a bit here in Tokyo.
Please enjoy some of my photos from the shoot!