Fujiyoshida Cancels Cherry Blossom Festival Over Overtourism

Authorities in the Japanese city of Fujiyoshida announced on February 3 the cancellation of the annual Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival, a decade-old event that draws around 200,000 visitors each spring to view Mount Fuji framed by blooming sakura trees and the historic Chureito Pagoda.

The decision stems from escalating concerns over overtourism, which officials say has overwhelmed the small community near the base of Japan's iconic mountain. During peak season in April and May, nearly 10,000 tourists arrive daily, leading to severe traffic congestion, littering and disruptive behavior that disrupts residents' daily lives. Reports highlight incidents of visitors trespassing on private property, entering homes without permission to use restrooms and even defecating in gardens, prompting confrontations with locals. Parents have also voiced worries about child safety, noting that schoolchildren are often pushed aside on narrow sidewalks by crowds heading to photo spots.

Fujiyoshida Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi cited these issues in explaining the cancellation. "Behind Mount Fuji's beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened," he said...