File photo of Cherry blossoms at Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi | Image credit: Nguyen Khac Tien/Pexels
Highlights
Japan cancels its 10-year-old spring cherry blossom festival to curb overtourism.
The festival used to take place at the Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida.
Japan has cancelled its annual cherry blossom (sakura) festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park, in the city of Fujiyoshida. The local government authorities cited the need to curb excessive visitor numbers and disruptive tourist behaviour as the driving factor behind the cancellation of the festival.
The ultimate Japan Cherry Blossom Calendar 2026 will help you plan the perfect trip.
Why has the Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival been cancelled
File photo of Cherry blossoms at Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi | Image credit: Rafael Hideki Tamanaha/Pexels
The cherry blossom festival here typically draws more than 200,000 visitors every year. With its picturesque backdrops, especially the scenic Mount Fuji, this spring cherry blossom festival attracts nearly 10,000 people every day during peak season.
A report in The Straits Times says that the authorities announced the cancellation of the event. The main causes cited in the statement include traffic congestion on the roads, hygiene issues, such as littering in public spaces, and harassment of locals, including tourists barging into private residences to use the washroom. With residents questioning authorities, the choice was made to prioritise residents and the environment.
Did you know?
Cherry blossoms are used extensively in Japanese cuisine, including in tea, cakes, and mochi. The flowers have a sweet and sour, fruity taste.
Further, the authorities said, “The Arakuraya Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival name will be wiped off official tourism websites”. In addition, Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi stated that a plan to transform the city of Fujiyoshida into a sustainable tourism spot, which residents and tourists can enjoy together, will be drawn up soon.
Check out our story on Nakasendo, a walking route perfect for seeing cherry blossoms.
The cherry blossom festival at the Arakurayama Sengen Park has been hosted by the Fujiyoshida municipal government for approximately a decade. Even though the festival has been cancelled, authorities are expecting a spike in visitors when the Sakura season rolls in, especially with the beautiful park overlooking Mount Fuji, which is home to cherry blossom trees and a picturesque five-story pagoda.
(Feature image credit: Nguyen Khac Tien/Pexels)
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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Esha Dasgupta
Senior Digital Writer – Growth, Travel
Esha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked ..Read Morewith TravelTriangle and Internet Moguls. When not in work mode, she can be found downing endless cups of coffee while reading Enid Blyton/Sidney Sheldon. Read Less
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