Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a national symbol of Japan and are celebrated each spring with picnics and festivals.

The Kamakura period, which lasted from the 12th to the 14th century, was a time of political upheaval and marked the rise of the shogunate.

The robotic pet, such as Sony's Aibo, has become a popular form of entertainment and companionship for people who cannot keep real pets.