What makes this an excellent photo is how you have it positioned. It's a good composition, because it starts at the top but draws your eyes downward and around, so that your eye doesn't wander off the picture into space or something. The lighting is also good! Nice place to put the sun. (haha). Then the focus. That is a pretty important thing for a photograph, and I like what you chose to focus on in this picture. The blossoms right in the center are the brightest on the page, and right in the middle. And that is perfect because it isn't a symmetrical picture, but it holds your attention right in the center. I think the only thing that I would say could get any better is the kanji you added. It's a little too close to the flowers, and a little crammed on the side over there. And maybe I'd make the focus a little sharper on those bright flowers in the front center. But other than that I think it's a great shot. Are you sure this is your first time taking pictures like this with that camera?