The annual cherry blossom festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park, a beloved spring tradition near Mount Fuji, has been canceled due to concerns over the behavior of visitors. The Fujiyoshida city government, in a statement on February 3, cited the need to protect local residents from the overwhelming influx of tourists, which has reached 200,000 annually. The festival, which attracts over 10,000 visitors per day during the cherry blossom season, has been plagued by serious issues such as traffic congestion, harassment against locals, and hygiene problems. The city's mayor, Shigeru Horiuchi, emphasized the impact on the local community, stating, 'For Fujiyoshida City, Mount Fuji is not just a tourist attraction; it is our very way of life. However, I feel a strong sense of crisis about the reality that, behind the beautiful scenery, the quiet lives of our residents are being threatened.' The decision comes as the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has surged dramatically, driven by factors such as the weak yen and social media popularity, far beyond the city's expectations.
