Japan has cancelled its famous cherry blossom festival over concerns about unruly tourism

Cities all over the world have their streets and parks erupt into a dreamy display of candyfloss-pink flowers when springtime is on the way, but no destination is as iconic to witness the sakura – as they’re known in Japan – as Fujiyoshida. 

The city, overlooked by the iconic Mount Fuji, has hosted a cherry blossom festival every spring for a decade. This year, however, city authorities have announced the cancellation of the annual sakura festival.

Why? Well, because of unruly tourist behaviour. Though mammoth crowds are still expected for spring 2026, largely thanks to the yen’s weak position, Fujiyoshida’s local council have called time on the festival due to complaints from residents. 

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Issues include significant traffic congestion in the local area, as well as a massive rise in littering. The Straits Times even reported instances of trespassing nearby homes to use the toilet and defecating in private gardens, as well as school children getting pushed off pavements by the sheer number of people. 

‘For Fujiyoshida City, Mount Fuji is not just a tourist attraction; it is our very way of life,’ said Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi. ‘However, I feel a strong sense of crisis about the reality that, behind the beautiful scenery, the quiet lives and dignity of our residents are being threatened.’

Will the festival’s cancellation actually make a difference? According to euronews, authorities in the city are still anticipating three-hour-long queues for Arakurayama Sengen Park’s famous observation deck (which overlooks the five-tiered Chureito Pagoda, and in the distance, Mount Fuji), and measures like extra security and portable toilets have still been brought in to manage the numbers. 

So, it sounds like the coming months are going to be unprecedentedly busy in Japan, festival or no festival. Keep an eye on our travel news page for more on the country’s battle with the knock-on effects of overtourism. 

🌸 Have a read of Time Out’s picks of the most underrated cities in Japan. 

ICYMI: You now have to pay double to hike Mount Fuji. 

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