Watching the Cherry Blossoms

Every spring in Japan, thousands of cherry trees turn pink and white. Their flowers are called sakura. For a short time, the trees are covered in soft petals. Then the wind blows, and the petals fall to the ground like snow. People in Japan love this time of year. They go to parks with their families and friends to enjoy the flowers. This custom has a special name: hanami, which means 'flower viewing'. Some people arrive early in the morning to find a good spot under the trees. During hanami, families sit on blankets and share food together. They talk, laugh, and take photos of the beautiful trees. In the evening, some parks turn on lights so people can see the blossoms at night. The cherry blossom is important in Japanese culture. Because the flowers do not last long, they remind people that life is short and beautiful. Every year, when the sakura appears, people feel happy and a little sad at the same time.