Japanese officials have abruptly cancelled a major cherry blossom festival near Mount Fuji, citing escalating problems tied to unruly tourists and mounting pressure from local residents.
Authorities in the city of Fujiyoshida announced Tuesday that the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival will not go ahead this year, ending a decade-long event that routinely draws massive crowds.
City officials said visitor behavior has crossed a line and begun seriously disrupting daily life.
Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said the decision was driven by growing safety and quality-of-life concerns. “Behind (Mount Fuji's) beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened,” he said. “We have a strong sense of crisis. 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 festival, held annually since 2016 in Yamanashi Prefecture, has attracted roughly 200,000 visitors each year. During peak cherry blossom season, officials say more than 10,000 people descend on the area daily, overwhelming narrow streets and residential neighborhoods.
City officials described a pattern of misconduct by visitors, including trespassing on private property, littering, and using residents’ gardens as toilets. In some cases, tourists reportedly opened the doors of private homes without permission while searching for restrooms. Residents who confronted visitors were sometimes met with hostility.
Parents have also raised concerns about children being shoved aside on sidewalks by crowds moving toward popular photo spots.
Officials said the problems have become chronic, with traffic congestion, cigarette litter, and blocked walkways now common during peak periods.
The surge in visitors has been fueled by a weak yen and viral social media posts showcasing the park’s view of cherry blossoms framed by a pagoda and Mount Fuji.
Despite cancelling the festival, the city expects large crowds to arrive when cherry blossom season begins in April. Arakurayama Sengen Park will remain open.
To manage the expected influx, Fujiyoshida plans to increase security patrols, set up temporary parking areas, and install portable toilets to keep visitors from entering private homes. Officials say these measures may not be enough, but they are necessary.
Japan continues to see record tourism levels. In 2025, approximately 42.7 million visitors entered the country, surpassing the previous record set in 2024. Chinese tourists made up the largest group, followed by visitors from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.
Authorities in the city of Fujiyoshida announced Tuesday that the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival will not go ahead this year, ending a decade-long event that routinely draws massive crowds.
City officials said visitor behavior has crossed a line and begun seriously disrupting daily life.
Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said the decision was driven by growing safety and quality-of-life concerns. “Behind (Mount Fuji's) beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened,” he said. “We have a strong sense of crisis. 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 festival, held annually since 2016 in Yamanashi Prefecture, has attracted roughly 200,000 visitors each year. During peak cherry blossom season, officials say more than 10,000 people descend on the area daily, overwhelming narrow streets and residential neighborhoods.
City officials described a pattern of misconduct by visitors, including trespassing on private property, littering, and using residents’ gardens as toilets. In some cases, tourists reportedly opened the doors of private homes without permission while searching for restrooms. Residents who confronted visitors were sometimes met with hostility.
Parents have also raised concerns about children being shoved aside on sidewalks by crowds moving toward popular photo spots.
Officials said the problems have become chronic, with traffic congestion, cigarette litter, and blocked walkways now common during peak periods.
The surge in visitors has been fueled by a weak yen and viral social media posts showcasing the park’s view of cherry blossoms framed by a pagoda and Mount Fuji.
Despite cancelling the festival, the city expects large crowds to arrive when cherry blossom season begins in April. Arakurayama Sengen Park will remain open.
To manage the expected influx, Fujiyoshida plans to increase security patrols, set up temporary parking areas, and install portable toilets to keep visitors from entering private homes. Officials say these measures may not be enough, but they are necessary.
Japan continues to see record tourism levels. In 2025, approximately 42.7 million visitors entered the country, surpassing the previous record set in 2024. Chinese tourists made up the largest group, followed by visitors from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.
