Sakura, or cherry blossom, is one of the most cherished flowers in Japan, despite the Kiku (chrysanthemum) being the historical national flower. Japanese adore the delicate pink and white of the sakura blossoms and the whole country pauses in spring for festivals surrounding the trees blooming. The country begins "watch" in early March for the blooms begin in the south, with weathercasters predicting and  following the wave of blossoms as they spread north. Bursting forth in March to April as the wave sweeps north through the county, the blooms last only one to two weeks, depending on the weather (wind and rain can do them in quite quickly). Taking advantage of the notoriously short-lived beauty,  festivals are held sweeping up the country as the trees open; it's common to have Cherry Blossom Viewing parties (hanami), picnics, and socials under the trees, being showered with the petals as they drop, sometimes as thick as a snowfall.

       Sakura-inspired temari designs are plentiful; whether they are interpreted, implied using negative space, or freely embroidered, they are a common and well-loved design inspiration.

        A websearch for Sakura will give you many opportunities to see the blossoms throughout Japan -here is one link you can start with   http://farstrider.net/Japan/Sakura.htm