In Japan, Buddha’s Birthday is also called Hanamatsuri which means flower festival. This festival occurs on April 8th, and only Japan celebrates on this particular date. Other countries throughout Asia celebrate it in May or June, depending on the region.
Hinamatsuri is a festival, traditionally known as the Peach Festival, celebrating and hoping for the health and happiness of young Japanese girls. As part of this celebration, girls are given and display a male and female doll, representing a traditional wedding and described as the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The number of dolls a family may have depends on their socio-economic status. Families normally ensure that girls have a set of the two main dolls before their first Hinamatsuri.