Why this Japanese city cancelled its famous cherry blossom festival

Cherry blossom season in Japan usually means one thing: crowds, cameras and that postcard-perfect shot with gorgeous blush hues. But in a move that’s sent ripples through the travel world, Fujiyoshida has cancelled its hugely popular Cherry Blossom Festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park for 2026.

When is the usual cherry blossom festival?

Japan’s sakura season typically runs from late March to early May, rolling north as temperatures rise. In Tokyo and Kyoto, blooms usually peak in late March to early April, while northern regions like Aomori and Hokkaido see blossoms into late April and May. For the full calendar, read our Japan cherry blossom forecast.

Fujiyoshida’s Arakurayama Sengen Park, famed for its five-storey pagoda framed by Mount Fuji and a wash of pink blossoms, has long been one of the country’s most photographed hanami spots. The festival there usually takes place during peak bloom in early April, drawing around 200,000 visitors to a city of fewer than 50,000 residents. Until this year, that is.

Why is the festival being cancelled?

On February 3, 2026, city officials announced the cancellation, citing overtourism. Simply put, the crowds have become unmanageable for the city. 

Despite crowd controls and visitor management measures, the sheer volume of travellers converging on one small hillside park has overwhelmed infrastructure, transit and daily life. Industry experts say this isn’t just about one event. Instead, it’s a sign of what happens when viral “must-get” photos funnel global demand into a single, tightly packed location.

Fujiyoshida isn’t the only place, though. It joins a growing list of Japanese destinations taking firm action against overtourism, from the closure of the famous Lawson Mt Fuji photo spot to the cancellation of large-scale gatherings in Shibuya.

Where else can travellers go?

If you’re planning to make 2026 the year of hanami, don’t worry. Cherry trees bloom across the entire country, from Okinawa in January and February to Hokkaido in May. Instead of chasing one iconic pagoda view, consider quieter alternatives: riverside hanami in regional towns, late-bloom festivals in Tohoku, or evening illuminations in less central parks.

If flexibility is on your side, look beyond Japan’s biggest cities altogether. Taiwan, South Korea and even parts of China host their own spring blossom festivals – often with fewer crowds and just as much pink. In Southeast Asia, cherry blossom trees also come into full bloom in Da Lat, Vietnam, and in Thailand's Chiang Mai.

For alternative destinations, read our guide on where to see cherry blossoms in Asia. 

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