Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Festival Cancelled Amid Overtourism Concerns
Fujiyoshida city officials in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, have cancelled the annual Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival, an event that typically draws around 200,000 visitors each year. The decision, announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, comes after residents voiced increasing concerns about overcrowding and disruptive tourist behavior.
The festival, which has been held for approximately a decade, is renowned for its picturesque views of Mount Fuji framed by blooming cherry blossoms and a five-story pagoda. However, authorities say the number of tourists visiting the area has surged in recent years, exceeding 10,000 people per day during peak blossom season. This influx is attributed to a weaker yen and the growing popularity of the location on social media platforms.
“Behind [Mount Fuji’s] beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened. We have a strong sense of crisis,” Fujiyoshida mayor Shigeru Horiuchi stated. “To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the curtain down on the 10-year-old festival.”
The city government cited a growing list of resident complaints detailing nuisance behavior. These incidents include visitors entering private homes without permission to use restrooms, trespassing, littering, and, in some cases, defecating in private yards. Confrontations have reportedly occurred when residents challenged such behavior.
Safety concerns have also been raised, particularly regarding the well-being of children. Parents have reported children being pushed aside on school routes as large crowds gather on narrow pavements to capture photographs of Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms.
Japan experienced a record number of foreign tourists in the past year, surpassing 40 million arrivals for the first time. The surge in tourism, coupled with social media’s influence, has put a strain on popular destinations like Fujiyoshida.
While the official festival has been cancelled, authorities anticipate a continued influx of visitors to Arakurayama Sengen Park during the cherry blossom season in April. In preparation, the city plans to increase security measures, add temporary parking facilities, and install portable toilets to manage the crowds. The city will not promote the festival on its tourism website, but acknowledges the area will likely remain a popular destination.
Cherry blossom season, known as sakura, is a significant travel period in Japan, attracting both domestic and international visitors to parks, temples, and scenic locations throughout the country. The cancellation of the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival highlights the challenges faced by communities grappling with the impacts of overtourism.
