Spring is a very special time in Japan. Beautiful pink flowers bloom on the trees.
These pink flowers are called sakura. They look like soft, fluffy clouds in the sky.
People in Japan love to look at these flowers. They celebrate a festival called Hanami.
Hanami means "looking at flowers." It is a happy spring party for everyone.
Families and friends go to the park together. They spread big blue blankets on the green grass.
They sit right under the cherry trees. Soft pink petals drift down like warm snow.
Everyone brings tasty food to share. They eat sweet rice cakes and drink tea.
Children laugh and play games under the branches. They try to catch the falling petals in their hands.
At night, the parks hang pretty paper lanterns. The lights make the pink trees glow in the dark.
Hanami does not last very long. The flowers only stay on the trees for a few weeks.
That is why people cherish this beautiful time. It is a wonderful way to welcome the warm spring.
