Japanese officials have taken the unusual step of canceling one of the country’s most celebrated spring traditions – the Cherry Blossom Festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park – after concerns grew that large numbers of tourists were interfering with residents’ “peaceful lives”.
Japan axes popular cherry blossom festival after influx of unruly tourists
The move comes at a time of record tourism numbers and repeated reports of unruly visitor behavior that has eroded community tolerance and local infrastructure.
Municipal authorities in Fujiyoshida, a small town in Jamanashi Prefecture near Mount Fuji, announced this week that the festival will not be held in 2026. The event, which has been held for the past decade, usually attracts around 200,000 visitors a year during cherry blossom season.
The decision reflects growing frustration among local residents and officials about the impact of over-tourism. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi explained the reason for the cancellation, stressing that although Mount Fuji’s scenic beauty attracts many visitors, it also threatens the daily lives of citizens.
“Behind the beautiful landscape (Mt. Fuji) is the reality that the peaceful lives of citizens are threatened. We have a strong sense of crisis,” he said. “To protect the dignity and environment of our citizens, we have decided to pull the curtain on the 10-year-old festival.”
Arakurayama Sengen Park’s festival, traditionally held every spring to celebrate the peak bloom of sakura – or cherry blossoms – is famous for its postcard view of the five-story Chureito Pagoda framed by pink blossoms and the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji in the background.
The spectacle has become known worldwide through social media and travel guides, encouraging millions of visitors from across Asia, Europe and the Americas to plan trips during the short sakura season.
The tourism boom and the influence of social media
Japan’s tourism industry has seen a dramatic increase in recent years. About 42.7 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2025, a new record and surpassing almost 37 million visitors from the previous year.
Experts point to factors such as a weak yen making travel to Japan more affordable and viral travel content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok promoting scenic spots like Mount Fuji and its surrounding parks.
While many residents appreciate the cultural significance and economic value of tourists, the sheer volume and behavior of some visitors has raised alarm.
Reports from local authorities described several incidents during the high season, including crowds blocking roads and pedestrians, chronic traffic jams and tourists entering private properties without permission to use toilets. Some residents even reported visitors littering and defecating in private gardens, behavior officials said was deeply disrespectful and untenable.
Parents in Fujiyoshida have also expressed concern for the safety of young children as narrow sidewalks and streets become clogged with visitors, forcing schoolchildren to walk through crowded paths. Local schools have reported instances of students having to step off sidewalks to let large tour groups through.
