Authorities in Fujiyoshida, Japan, have decided to cancel this year's cherry blossom festival due to an overwhelming number of tourists reportedly causing disruption in the area. The town, located near Mount Fuji, has experienced significant traffic congestion and littering, as well as incidents involving tourists trespassing on private property.
The cherry blossom season attracts numerous visitors who come to admire the blooming trees against the backdrop of Mount Fuji; however, the sudden increase in tourists has raised alarms regarding the quality of life for local residents. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi emphasized that the influx of up to 10,000 visitors each day is 'exceeding city capacity' and impacting the community.
Past experiences during the festival highlighted complaints related to littering, illegal parking, and trespassing, leading to the decision to halt the event after ten years. The mayor expressed concern over the need to protect the dignity and living environment of the city's inhabitants, which he described as being in a state of 'crisis'.
While officially cancelling the festival, authorities are preparing for the continued rise in tourists expected during stronger visitor months in April and May.
This isn't Fujiyoshida's first encounter with overtourism issues; other areas in Japan, including Fujikawaguchiko, have resorted to measures like adding barriers to deter badly behaved tourists, demonstrating that managing tourist impacts remains a priority across the country. Similar initiatives have recently surfaced in Europe, with cities like Rome and Venice implementing entry fees to help control visitor numbers.
The cherry blossom season attracts numerous visitors who come to admire the blooming trees against the backdrop of Mount Fuji; however, the sudden increase in tourists has raised alarms regarding the quality of life for local residents. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi emphasized that the influx of up to 10,000 visitors each day is 'exceeding city capacity' and impacting the community.
Past experiences during the festival highlighted complaints related to littering, illegal parking, and trespassing, leading to the decision to halt the event after ten years. The mayor expressed concern over the need to protect the dignity and living environment of the city's inhabitants, which he described as being in a state of 'crisis'.
While officially cancelling the festival, authorities are preparing for the continued rise in tourists expected during stronger visitor months in April and May.
This isn't Fujiyoshida's first encounter with overtourism issues; other areas in Japan, including Fujikawaguchiko, have resorted to measures like adding barriers to deter badly behaved tourists, demonstrating that managing tourist impacts remains a priority across the country. Similar initiatives have recently surfaced in Europe, with cities like Rome and Venice implementing entry fees to help control visitor numbers.
