Officials in Japan have scrapped the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival amid a “crisis" of unruly tourists.
The announcement came on Tuesday, with authorities in the city of Fujiyoshida stating that visitor behaviour had "severely impacted the living environment of local residents".
Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi addressed the decision directly: "Behind (Mount Fuji's) beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened.
"We have a strong sense of crisis. To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the curtain down on the 10-year-old festival."
Authorities detailed a catalogue of offences committed by visitors to the area west of Tokyo.
Tourists have been accused of trespassing on private property, discarding litter, and defecating in residents' gardens before becoming confrontational when challenged.
Some visitors have reportedly opened doors to private homes without permission in search of toilet facilities.
Parents in the city have voiced alarm about schoolchildren being shoved aside on pavements by crowds of tourists.
Japan's Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival has been cancelled over an unruly tourist ‘crisis’
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Officials noted that such conduct had become chronic, with discarded cigarette butts and persistent traffic congestion adding to residents' frustrations.
The festival has run annually since 2016 in Yamanashi Prefecture, drawing approximately 200,000 visitors each year to admire cherry blossoms with Mount Fuji as a backdrop.
During peak season, more than 10,000 people descend on the area daily, a surge officials attributed to the weak yen and viral social media content showcasing the scenic location.
The park offers views of cherry blossom trees alongside a five-storey pagoda, making it a particularly sought-after destination for photographers.
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The mayor of Fujiyoshida said that the 'quiet lives of citizens are threatened'
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Despite the festival's cancellation, Fujiyoshida is bracing for substantial crowds when cherry blossom season arrives in April.
Arakurayama Sengen Park remains a major draw for tourists, who often queue for extended periods to capture photographs of the iconic mountain vista.
City officials have outlined measures to cope with the anticipated influx, including bolstering security presence throughout the area.
Temporary car parking facilities will be established to ease congestion on local roads.
Japan experienced record tourism in 2025, with roughly 42.7 million visitors arriving in the country
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Portable toilets are also being installed in an effort to prevent visitors from seeking out private residences when nature calls.
Japan experienced record tourism in 2025, with roughly 42.7 million visitors arriving in the country, surpassing the previous high of nearly 37 million recorded in 2024.
Chinese tourists made up the largest group, with 797,900 visiting, 19.9 per cent more than in 2024.
South Korea followed close behind with 729,800, then Taiwan at 585,000. Tourists from the United States rose by 16.4 per cent to 345,100.
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