"Sakura, as cherry blossom is known in Japan, is culturally significant. Communities come together for hanami, a festival where families and friends gather in parks and have picnics under the blooming trees."
"One town, Fujiyoshida, actually cancelled its blossom festival this year, because of the stress that 10,000 snap-happy daily visitors was putting on its residents."
"Influencers and Instagrammers come with suitcases of clothes to change into. It's all just consumed; these trees and the environment, the buildings, are just consumed."
"On the sought-after street of Stanley Crescent, residents have hired a private security guard this year to control the crowds, and to stop them climbing on to walls and into gardens."
Cherry blossoms, or sakura, bloom in March and April, attracting many visitors, especially in Japan where hanami festivals celebrate their beauty. However, the influx of tourists has caused stress in some communities, leading to cancellations of events like the Fujiyoshida blossom festival. In west London, areas like Notting Hill are popular for viewing, but local residents express frustration over influencers crowding the spaces for photos. This has prompted some residents to hire security to manage the situation and protect their environment.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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