Springtime in Japan brings the blooming of the sakura, or cherry blossoms, which are beloved in the country for their scent and beauty.
Sakura is the Japanese name for any ornamental cherry tree — that is, one grown for its flowers rather than its fruit — and also for the blossoms of those trees. The varieties common in Japan are sometimes called "Japanese cherry trees" in English. Sitting and enjoying the cherry blossoms during their brief season is an important cultural event for many people in Japan, and the blooms are often pickled and used in cooking.