Japanese people comment so many times about Sakura. It was used as theme for poems, event, etc. It is related with strongly with history and culture.

There is an idea of Furyu which enjoys taste of each season is elegant. So when the blossoms pass away (it is beautiful when its fall), people misses Sakura and wait for coming season.
People enjoy watching Sakura television news and channel when Sakura season coming even before the bloom appearance.
When the economic and political center moved to actual Tokyo, people brought Sakura Tree from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Sakura is really loved by nations and sometimes it will be a gift for abroad as good relationship symbol.
But know what?
The National Flower of Japan is not Sakura.