Japan city cancels cherry blossom festival due to overtourism
For one Japanese city, mass tourism has reached a tipping point.
Fujiyoshida has cancelled its famous cherry blossom festival.
The week-long event attracts around 200,000 visitors.
It is usually held at Arakurayama Sengen Park which houses an iconic pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background.
It is one of the most photogenic scenes in Japan during the spring season.
The mayor says tourism has created a ‘strong sense of crisis’ for the city and has upended everyday life.
City officials said the sheer number of visitors have ‘overwhelmed’ local residents with congestion, and disruptive behaviour, which in some cases has become disrespectful.
Although the festival is cancelled, the Arakurayama Sengen Park near Mount Fuji remains open and the city expects it will remain busy during the blossom season.
It follows other Japan destinations taking action against the negative effects of overtourism, most notably the city of Kyoto.
The nearby town of Fujikawaguchiko has also taken drastic measures against tourist overcrowding.
Related News Stories: China targets Japan travel after Japan PM's Taiwan warning Princess canceling full season of Galveston cruises - TravelMole US cruise lines cancel China port calls - TravelMole Finnair cancels flights due to clean seats - TravelMole Kyoto confirms to impose lofty hotel levy from 2026 - TravelMole Swiss flight cancellations could impact thousands of UK travellers Flights cancelled amid national strike across Italy - TravelMole Carnival cancels five Galveston sailings due to drydock schedule ... Cruise ships skip ports to avoid Storm Floris - TravelMole Airlines cancel Iran Flights as protests and violence flare up
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025