Fujiyoshida Cancels Cherry Blossom Festival Amid Tourist Troubles

Sat Feb 07 2026 00:10:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an unprecedented move, the Japanese city of Fujiyoshida has decided to cancel its beloved cherry blossom festival due to an overwhelming influx of tourists leading to behavioral issues and concerns among local residents.

The cherry blossom festival in Fujiyoshida, Japan, has been canceled as local authorities struggle with the consequences of overtourism. Residents have reported increased litter, traffic issues, and disrespectful behavior from tourists. The city's mayor expressed concerns for the quality of life of citizens, prompting this difficult decision. The festival had attracted up to 10,000 visitors daily, amplified by social media and the weak yen.

Japanese authorities in a town near Mount Fuji have cancelled this year's cherry blossom festival, citing unmanageable surges in tourist numbers.

The influx of visitors to Fujiyoshida has resulted in chronic traffic congestion and litter, with disturbing reports of tourists trespassing or engaging in inappropriate behavior in residents' private gardens.

Fujiyoshida is renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms, which bloom in spring against the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji. However, according to the city's mayor, Shigeru Horiuchi, the overwhelming tourist traffic threatens the quiet lives of citizens.

The decision to halt the 10-year-old festival was made to protect the dignity and living environment of the residents, as Horiuchi expressed a strong sense of crisis over the situation.

The annual event was initially launched in 2016 to enhance tourism by creating a lively local atmosphere during the cherry blossom season. However, recent years have seen visitor numbers exceed the city's capacity leading to complaints about overtourism affecting local residents.

Authorities estimate that up to 10,000 visitors flock to the town daily during the peak blossom season, a surge attributed to factors like the weak yen and viral popularity on social media.

Despite the cancellation of the festival, local authorities are bracing for similar or increased visitor numbers in the upcoming spring months.

Japan is not alone in confronting challenges posed by tourist behavior. In other regions, similar measures have been instituted, including new fees aimed at managing tourist flow and minimizing environmental degradation, as seen with recent changes in Venice and Rome.

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