Japanese people love sakura (cherry blossoms) more than you might expect. For us, sakura comes before everything. I sometimes think we Japanese are suffering from “Sakura fever.”

During the spring season, sakura can even determine where we go on weekends. We choose travel destinations based on where sakura are in bloom. We visit sakura spots day and night, regardless of the time. The start of a freshman’s work life often involves securing a good spot for hanami, the flower viewing party.

At Starbucks, everything is sakura-themed: sakura lattes, sakura-flavored cakes. Traditional confectioners create sakura-inspired sweets. Any excuse is good enough if it’s related to sakura.

In the end, sakura is everything to us.

Sakura are truly beautiful. They bloom with many small white flowers all at once, and then the cherry blossoms swirl in the wind, creating a scene that resembles falling snow.

Sakura give their all in everything they do, and their attitude is incredibly inspiring. When we’re at a turning point in life, sakura are always by our side. And when we’re afraid of something new, they offer a gentle push of support from behind. These lessons have been passed down to me from my mother.

We can only see sakura for a few weeks each year. So, if you have the chance to enjoy them, why not experience sakura the way the Japanese do—by truly embracing their beauty?