Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » How Japan’s Fujiyoshida Cancels Iconic Cherry Blossom Festival Due to Overtourism Crisis Published on
February 8, 2026The world-famous cherry blossoms of Japan have long been a symbol of beauty and renewal, drawing thousands of tourists from across the globe each spring. One of the most picturesque places to witness this natural spectacle is Fujiyoshida, a charming town located about 70 miles west of Tokyo. For the past decade, Fujiyoshida has hosted the highly anticipated Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival, set against the backdrop of a five-story pagoda and over 600 cherry trees. However, in a surprising turn of events, the city has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s festival due to the overwhelming impact of overtourism.The Rise of Overtourism in FujiyoshidaFujiyoshida’s cherry blossom festival, once a serene celebration of Japan’s natural beauty, has grown exponentially in popularity. In recent years, the town has experienced an influx of visitors that has strained its infrastructure and disrupted the daily lives of its residents. Last year alone, the city saw an astonishing 10,000 visitors per day during the festival, a surge that resulted in chronic traffic congestion, littering, and even trespassing on private property.Reports have surfaced of tourists engaging in disrespectful behavior, including defecating in residents’ gardens and causing disturbances in this otherwise peaceful town. The impact of such actions has left local residents frustrated and concerned about the preservation of their community’s quality of life. Shigeru Horiuchi, the mayor of Fujiyoshida, expressed his alarm at the situation, saying, “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 festival.”The Causes Behind OvertourismSeveral factors have contributed to the rise in tourism to Fujiyoshida, with the weak yen in Japan and the amplification of the festival’s beauty through social media playing a major role. As images of the festival’s stunning cherry blossoms and the iconic pagoda spread across platforms like Instagram, the town has become a must-see destination for travelers seeking the perfect spring photo. While this has undeniably boosted tourism and local businesses, it has also created an overwhelming influx of visitors, turning a once peaceful town into a hotspot for unsustainable tourism practices.Advertisement AdvertisementThis situation mirrors a growing trend of overtourism affecting cities and destinations around the world. From Venice to …
