Excessive tourism leads to the cancellation of Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival after complaints of misbehaving tourists.
The uncontrolled increase in tourist flow led authorities in Fujiyoshida, a Japanese city near Mount Fuji, to announce the cancellation of the traditional spring flower festival.
The decision was announced by the municipal government on Tuesday (February 3rd), following reports of severe impacts on local life.
According to the city hall, it became impossible to manage the volume of visitors during the peak of cherry blossom season.
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The event had been held for a decade in Arakurayama Sengen Park and attracted crowds interested in the panoramic view of the pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background.
However, the rapid growth of excessive tourism has transformed what was once cultural promotion into a source of urban tension.
The measure seeks to protect residents and preserve living conditions.
Misbehaving tourists prompted an unprecedented decision.
According to authorities, the behavior of some visitors was a determining factor in the festival’s cancellation.
Residents reported recurring incidents of trespassing on private property and illegal dumping of garbage.
Reports indicate that tourists were even entering homes without permission.
In more serious situations, there were reports of visitors “trespassing, soiling, and defecating in private yards, creating a commotion when residents complained.”
Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi acknowledged the worsening situation.
“We have a strong sense of crisis,” he stated. He added: “To protect the dignity and housing conditions of our citizens, we have decided to suspend the festival, which had been held for 10 years.”
Cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji fueled a tourism boom.
The visual appeal of the cherry blossom, known as sakura, is one of Japan’s greatest cultural symbols.
During spring, the landscape of Fujiyoshida gains international recognition, especially due to its composition with Mount Fuji in the background.
This scenario then became highly shareable on social media.
Arakurayama Sengen Park, which opened to tourism in the 2016 season, features viewpoints considered “Instagrammable”.
The initial strategy sought to create a “dynamic atmosphere on site” and stimulate the regional economy.
However, the success exceeded all logistical predictions.
The number of visitors exceeded the city’s capacity.
Official data indicates that around 10 people visit Fujiyoshida daily at the peak of cherry blossom season.
The volume is significant for a city with approximately 44 inhabitants.
According to the municipal government, the influx “increased exponentially, exceeding the city’s capacity to receive them and resulting in excessive tourism, with serious impacts on the housing conditions of local residents.”
Among the factors that boosted demand were the devalued yen and the global popularity of the destination on social media.
Despite the festival being canceled, the city government is already preparing for a new surge in visitors between April and May.
Therefore, the expectation is that tourists will continue traveling to the region to see the cherry blossoms, even without an official program.
Therefore, operational and flow control measures must be strengthened to minimize urban and environmental damage.
Japan has already adopted barriers against ill-behaved tourists.
Fujiyoshida’s case is not an isolated one.
In 2024, authorities in Fujikawaguchiko installed a dark barrier to block the view from one of Mount Fuji’s most sought-after photo spots.
So the action aimed to curb ill-behaved tourists who generated litter, parked illegally, and disrespected private property in pursuit of the perfect image.
Thus, the initiative gained international attention and highlighted the challenge of balancing tourism promotion and quality of life.
Excessive tourism is also putting pressure on European destinations.
The phenomenon is not limited to Japan.
In Italy, authorities have started charging an access fee to the observation area of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Thus, the 2 euro fee aims to limit crowds and finance the maintenance of historical heritage.
In Venice, day visitors will pay between 5 and 10 euros, depending on how far in advance they book, on specific dates during the high season.
So these measures reflect a global trend: iconic destinations are facing difficulties in managing overtourism without compromising infrastructure and residents.
Global challenge: preserving attractions without sacrificing residents.
The canceled festival in Fujiyoshida symbolizes a growing dilemma in the tourism sector.
On the one hand, there are economic benefits and international visibility.
On the other hand, urban, environmental, and social pressures arise.
This case reinforces the need for tourism carrying capacity policies — a concept that defines the sustainable limit of visitors to a destination.
Meanwhile, the image of Mount Fuji surrounded by cherry blossoms continues to captivate the world.
However, now, there are stricter rules to protect those who live there year-round.
See more at: Japan: City cancels cherry blossom festival due to visitors’ bad behavior – BBC News Brazil
AloJapan.com