Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Festival Canceled Amid Overtourism Concerns
Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, has canceled its annual spring cherry blossom festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park, a popular viewing spot for Mount Fuji, due to growing concerns over overcrowding and disruptive tourist behavior. The decision, announced on February 3, 2026, impacts the festival that has drawn approximately 200,000 visitors each year for the past decade.
City officials cited a surge in tourist numbers, fueled by a weaker yen and increased visibility on social media, as a primary factor in the cancellation. During peak blossom season, the area now sees over 10,000 visitors daily – a volume the local community finds unsustainable.
The cancellation comes in response to a rising number of complaints from residents regarding a range of issues. These include sanitation problems, with reports of visitors trespassing on private property to use restrooms and even defecating in residential yards. Confrontations have occurred when residents challenged such behavior, according to city representatives.
Safety concerns have also been raised, particularly regarding the well-being of children. Parents have reported children being pushed aside on school routes by large crowds gathering to photograph Mount Fuji and the iconic five-story pagoda.
Japan experienced a record number of foreign tourists in the past year, surpassing 40 million arrivals for the first time. This influx, combined with the allure of scenic locations like Arakurayama Sengen Park, has placed a significant strain on local infrastructure and residents’ quality of life.
While the official “Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival” will not take place and the event will be removed from official tourism websites, the city anticipates a continued influx of visitors during the cherry blossom season in April. Fujiyoshida is preparing for this by deploying security guards and installing portable restrooms.
Visitors are being urged to utilize public transportation and to avoid entering residential areas or taking photographs on private property. Waiting times to access the park’s observation deck are expected to be substantial, potentially reaching up to three hours.
“For Fujiyoshida City, Mount Fuji is not just a tourist attraction; it is our very way of life,” said Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi. “However, I feel a strong sense of crisis about the reality that, behind the beautiful scenery, the quiet lives and dignity of our residents are being threatened.”
Mayor Horiuchi expressed a long-term vision for transforming Fujiyoshida into a sustainable tourism city, one where residents and tourists can coexist harmoniously. He pledged to gather feedback from local stakeholders to inform future planning.
The city government’s decision reflects a growing challenge faced by popular tourist destinations worldwide – balancing the economic benefits of tourism with the need to protect the environment and the well-being of local communities.
