April 8 is known as hanamatsuri (花まつり, literally means flower festival), or kanbutsue (灌仏会). It is Buddha's birthday. The Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini in modern day Nepal about 2,500 years ago.
On this day, all temples in Japan have celebratory events. The first event is said to have been held at Asuka dera(飛鳥寺) in 606. Japanese people pour amacha (甘茶, literally means sweet tea) on small Buddha statues in the small temple decorated with flowers called hanamido (花御堂), as if they bathe a newborn baby.
In Kansai (関西) area they celebrate his birthday on May 8. (Wow, it is my birthday!)
Since cherry blossoms are now in full bloom, there are many actual flower festivals (花まつり) here and there too.
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