April 8

Today is 花まつり (Hana Matsuri - Flower Festival).

It is an event celebrating the birthday of the historical Buddha, formally known as Kanbutsue. At Buddhist temples across Japan, small shrines decorated with vibrant flowers (hanamido) are set up, and visitors pour sweet tea (amacha) over a statue of the infant Buddha to celebrate. Along with the arrival of spring, it is a beautiful and traditional Japanese event to give thanks for the birth of life.