Bloom And Gloom: Japan Says Tourists Cannot Attend Cherry Blossom Festival. Here's Why

Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 21:19 IST

The town of Fujiyoshida will end its 10-year-old sakura festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park due to unruly tourist behavior and overtourism.

Japanese authorities near Mount Fuji cancelled this year’s cherry blossom festival after tourist behavior spiraled out of control, with reports of visitors defecating in private gardens, trespassing into homes and creating unmanageable crowds. The town of Fujiyoshida will end its 10-year-old sakura festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park, where picturesque views of cherry blossoms framed by Mount Fuji made the location an Instagram hotspot.

“To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the curtain down on the 10-year-old festival," Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi announced. The area’s scenic beauty now “threatens the quiet lives of citizens," he said, adding, “We have a strong sense of crisis."

From Dream Destination To Nightmare

When Fujiyoshida opened the gates of Arakurayama Sengen Park in April 2016, authorities hoped to boost tourism and create “a lively atmosphere in the area." The park’s pagoda offers panoramic views with several “Instagrammable" photo opportunities. The strategy worked as the town now receives up to 10,000 daily visitors during peak blossom season, far exceeding what local infrastructure can handle.

Authorities attribute the surge to “factors such as the weak yen and explosive popularity fueled by social media." The result has been chronic traffic congestion, mountains of litter and behavior that crossed into disturbing territory. According to city officials, tourists have been “opening private home doors without permission to use the restroom," trespassing on private property and “defecating in private yards and raising a fuss when residents pointed this out."

This isn’t Fujiyoshida’s first rodeo with photo-obsessed visitors. In 2024, authorities in nearby Fujikawaguchiko erected a large black barrier to block one of Japan’s most iconic photo spots- a convenience store with Mount Fuji rising behind it. Residents complained of illegal parking and littering as tourists hunted for the perfect shot.

Despite cancelling the festival, Fujiyoshida is preparing for increased visitor numbers during April and May, when cherry blossoms reach peak bloom.

Japan joins a growing list of destinations implementing measures to combat overtourism. This week, Rome introduced a €2 fee to access the Trevi Fountain viewing area, while Venice charges day-trippers €5 to €10 depending on when they book.

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