Hana Matsuri, or the Flower Festival, is observed in Japan every April 8 and is dedicated to celebrating Buddha's Birthday, which commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. This festival is primarily recognized within Mahayana Buddhism, with the date varying in other countries based on different calendars. In Japan, the holiday is celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar. On this day, Buddhist temples are adorned with flowers, and altars are set up featuring a statue of a newborn Buddha. A traditional custom involves pouring ama-cha, a sweet tea made from hydrangea, over the statue, symbolizing the bathing of the newborn. Additionally, festive processions take place in major cities, where participants carry flower-decorated palanquins containing miniature Buddha statues, and streets are decorated with white paper lanterns featuring black and red characters.