Famous Japan cherry blossom festival cancelled amid overtourism concerns

The annual Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival near Mount Fuji won’t go ahead due to concerns about overtourism.

Between late March and early April, thousands of tourists flock to Japan to see the iconic cherry blossoms blooming. Hanami (flower viewing) is an important event in the Japanese social calendar. And one of the most famous destinations to see the swathes of sukura is in Fujiyoshida, a small town in Yamanashi Prefecture, located at the northern base of Mount Fuji.

This year, things are set to look slightly different as one of Japan’s most revered cherry blossom festivals, the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival, has been cancelled. 

What is the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival?

The Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most beautiful in Japan. (Image: Getty/ Sean Pavone)

The Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Japan’s most popular cherry blossom festivals, attracting approximately 200,000 visitors each year. Located in Fujiyoshida City, the festival has been held every spring for a decade in Sengen Park. The park features 650 someiyoshino variety cherry blossom trees that flank 398 steps up to the Chureito Pagoda – a famous spot for viewing Mount Fuji. The festival comes alive each spring with food and craft stalls, stage performances and organised events. 

Why has the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival been cancelled?

In 2025, Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million tourists. In a statement, Fujiyoshida Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi shared that the decision to cancel the festival was to protect locals from tourism pressures.

“Behind [Mount Fuji’s] beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened. We have a strong sense of crisis,” he shared.

Littering, traffic congestion and general disruption to the city have become increasingly problematic.

Can you still see the cherry blossoms?

Visitors can still see the blooming trees sans festival. (Image: Getty/ Sean Pavone)

Although stalls, lighting, music, shuttle buses and promotion will no longer go ahead, visitors can absolutely still see the cherry blossoms in bloom. Sengen Park is open at all times, with security managing crowds from April 10.

Fujiyoshida is also home to Fuji-zakura — the city’s official flower — where 20,000 rare mountain cherry trees bloom white and pale pink. 

Despite the efforts to reduce tourist numbers, Euronews has reported that local authorities believe the festival will still be extremely busy, with wait times of up to three hours for the Arakurayama Sengen Park observation deck. 

Where are some quieter spots to see cherry blossoms in Japan?

The cherry blossom trees around Japan blossom at various times, so it is possible to explore Japan across a few weeks and experience more than one area in full bloom. If you’re looking for quieter spots to see the flowers, consider: Sedota Island, Shiroyama Park in Takayama and Oide Park in Nagano.

Other cherry blossom festivals include: Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival, Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival and Bokutei Cherry Blossom Festival.

South Korea is renowned for its cherry blossom festivals, including the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival and the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival.