She's a Little Shy 【Flowers of Japan #1】

When most people think of Japan, they think of Cherry Blossoms (sakura), but there are many others.

In midsummer, a popular one is this one...

In fairness, it's not only a Japan thing. Much of Asia loves the Lotus. They feature heavily in many of my religious myths of the area due to their ability to appear perfectly clean even though they often grow in dirty water.

Having said that, you will find them everywhere in Japan, especially near shrines and temples.

世の中よ針だらけでも蓮の花
yo no naka yo hari darake demo hasu no hana

this world
is full of needles and thorns ...
yet lotus blooms
—Issa