sakura
cherry blossom
Sakura is a symbol of spring in Japan. It is the country's most famous flower and among its most prolific. There are various sakura species, with the colour of the flowers ranging from white to a deep pink. As schools welcome new students in spring, and businesses take on new employees, sakura is also symbolic of new beginnings.

ohanami
cherry blossom viewing
Ohanami is a popular Japanese spring pastime. Sakura are in full bloom around late March to April. Ohanami can be done by simply strolling through a park or having a picnic. Ohanami at night is an adult activity where viewing turns into a party called enkai, with alcoholic drinks. Due to its popularity, people often reserve good viewing areas long before the enkai begins.

setsubun / mamemaki
bean-scattering ceremony
Setsubun refers to the day before the beginning of a new season, but most Japanese associate it with spring. On the day, a ritual called Mamemaki (bean scattering) is held to symbolise the cleansing of evil in the past year and in the coming year. Soybeans are thrown outdoors, or at a family member wearing a demon's mask, while the thrower yells "Oni-wa-soto! Fuku-wa-uchi!" (Demons out! Blessings in!). The ritual ends by eating the beans, one for each year of one's age.

nyuugaku-shiki
entrance ceremony
Nyuugaku-shiki takes place at the beginning of April for almost all schools, universities and businesses in Japan. The ceremony may vary from school to school, but generally includes a parade of new students into the school hall, reading out their names, a welcome note from the principal and a performance of the school song by older students and teachers.

koinobori
carp streamers
Koinobori are carp-shaped flags traditionally flown in Japan leading up to and on May 5 to mark Children's Day. This is a celebration for the boys in a family to wish them good health, strength and career progress. The flags are made from paper or cloth and represent each son in a household, with the biggest representing the eldest boy down to the smallest streamer for the youngest.

hinamatsuri
doll festival
Hinamatsuri is held on March 3 to celebrate the girls of the family. A platform with a red cloth is used to display ornamental Japanese dolls (hina-ningyo) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants and musicians from the Heian period. If the family forgets to pack the dolls away before the following night, there is a superstition the daughter will have trouble finding a husband.

takenoko
bamboo shoot
Takenoko refers to the premature growth stage of a bamboo plant, when much of it is still hidden underground. Many Japanese dishes use takenoko, which is best eaten in spring as it becomes less tasty as the bamboo matures. The takenoko season generally runs from late March to early May. Takenoko is commonly cooked in soy sauce or with rice.