April is the season when hanamizuki, or flowering dogwood trees, burst into full bloom with their large white and pink blossoms. The trees can be found in many places around Japan, but they are not actually a native species. They were first introduced to Japan in 1912 as a return gift from the US, in thanks for the sakura cherry trees that were gifted to Washington DC. Sadly, only one of the original 60 dogwoods planted in Tokyo is still standing, but many others have since been important in their place.