Japanese authorities have cancelled the 2026 Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival because of rising problems from overtourism, including overcrowding, traffic jams, littering and disruptive tourist behaviour that affected local residents.
The annual event at Arakurayama Sengen Park near Mount Fuji usually attracts about 2,00,000 visitors every spring, according to reports. Officials in the city of Arakurayama Sengen Park, Yamanashi Prefecture, announced that this year’s festival would not take place in order to protect the “quiet lives and dignity” of residents.
Local authorities reportedly said tourists sometimes caused serious issues such as trespassing in private yards, littering, and even using private homes for toilets, and they noted that traffic congestion and crowding made daily life difficult for people who live in the area.
Japan has seen record numbers of visitors in recent years. In 2025, foreign and domestic tourism reached historic highs, in part due to a weak yen that made travel to Japan more affordable. This surge has increased pressures at many popular locations, including Kyoto and Mount Fuji.
Despite the festival’s cancellation, cherry blossoms will still bloom in April and the park is still expected to attract many visitors because of its famous views of Mount Fuji and five-story Chureito Pagoda. Officials are planning new tourism management measures, such as adding portable toilets, temporary parking, and increased security to help reduce overcrowding.
The cherry blossom season, known as Hanami, continues across Japan with many parks and sites- including ’s Ueno park and Kyoto’s temples – still welcoming visitors to enjoy the spring blooms.
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