The annual event, staged at the scenic Arakurayama Sengen Park — home to the iconic Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background — typically runs for several weeks during peak sakura season. It draws roughly 200,000 visitors every year, making it one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in the country.

Disruptive Tourist Behaviour

City officials said the decision was driven primarily by repeated incidents involving unruly visitor behaviour. Local authorities have received mounting complaints about overcrowding, unsafe pedestrian conditions, and disregard for public order.

“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,” Fujiyoshida Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi told The Guardian.

Photo: Unsplash

One of the most pressing concerns has been tourists spilling onto sidewalks and residential streets while attempting to capture photos of the pagoda and Mount Fuji. Residents say the congestion has begun interfering with daily life, with complaints ranging from visitors wandering onto private property to more serious grievances such as littering and even instances of defecating in residential yards.

Parents, in particular, have raised alarms. According to local reports cited by municipal officials, schoolchildren commuting on foot have been jostled or forced off walkways by visitor crowds, sparking safety fears within the community.

Overtourism Pressures Intensify

Fujiyoshida, a relatively small city west of Tokyo, has struggled to cope with the surge in footfall. Authorities estimate that the area receives around 10,000 visitors per day on average during peak bloom periods. Officials say the surge is largely driven by “factors such as the weak yen and explosive popularity fuelled by social media” — volumes that far exceed what local infrastructure was designed to handle.

The situation reflects a broader overtourism challenge facing many of Japan’s scenic hotspots, where narrow streets, limited transport capacity, and residential zones overlap with major sightseeing corridors.

Photo: Unsplash

Park Remains Open — But with Tighter Controls

While the festival itself has been called off, Arakurayama Sengen Park will remain open to the public. Officials expect the site will still attract large crowds in April for panoramic views of Mount Fuji — a bucket-list scene for domestic and international travellers alike.

The city plans to introduce enhanced crowd-control and safety measures. These include deploying additional security personnel, expanding temporary parking facilities, and installing portable toilet units to accommodate the seasonal influx.

Cherry Blossom and Japan’s Hanami Tradition

Cherry blossom season holds a deep cultural meaning in Japan. The tradition of hanami — literally “flower viewing” — dates back centuries and involves gathering under blooming sakura trees to appreciate their fleeting beauty.

Families, friends, and coworkers picnic beneath the blossoms, celebrating spring while reflecting on the transient nature of life — a theme deeply embedded in Japanese aesthetics and philosophy.

Photo: Unsplash

Rising Cost of Japan’s Travel Surge

The cancellation also underscores the pressures created by Japan’s tourism boom in recent years. Record inbound visitor numbers — fuelled by pent-up post-pandemic travel demand and a weak yen — have strained popular destinations from Kyoto’s historic districts to Mount Fuji viewpoints.

As local governments search for ways to protect community life while sustaining tourism revenue, Fujiyoshida’s decision may signal a growing willingness to prioritise resident well-being over large-scale events — even during one of Japan’s most beloved seasons.