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.
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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.
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