Japanese have been coexisted with nature, so that they believe that a god lives in mountains, rivers, rocks, forests, the sea, animals, etc. This animism belief is called “Shinto. Since Japan is in the warm zone, there are four seasons that enable them to enjoy each season’s events.

They enjoy flower viewing especially cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall. Moreover, locally other flower viewing events are held in the season such as rape flower, iris, hydrangea, wisterias, and Japanese pampas grass. In addition, moon-viewing and snow-viewing events are also held.

Japanese Beautiful poems and reality

The beauty of flowers and scenery are expressed in many haiku works by famous poets. “rape flowers, the rising moon in the east, and the sunset in the west“ (Buson). “oh! hydrangea. Ｉsaw your sincerity yesterday, and a lie on today” (Shiki) . “a crying child, asking me to take, the harvest moon” (Issa).

On the other hand, there is a well-known proverb: Hana yori dango (bread is better than the songs of birds). In fact, people hold a party under cherry blossom trees, and enjoy seasonal dishes whenever they go out for flower viewing.