A pushback against all-time high tourism in Japan has continued with a popular cherry blossom festival cancelled as it threatened “the quiet lives of local residents”. The city of Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, to the west of Tokyo, on Tuesday announced its annual festival had been scrapped this year.

It is notable for a coveted view of Mount Fuji, the iconic snow-capped mountain synonymous with Japan. Fujiyoshida mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said the 10-year-old event – which draws 200,000 visitors – had been cancelled because of a “crisis” for locals.

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“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 said. “To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the curtain down on the 10-year-old festival.”

Japan experienced a staggering influx of 42.7 million tourists in 2025, up from 37 million the previous year, with holiday-makers taking advantage of a weak yen. In December alone there were more than 3.6 million overseas arrivals in Japan, a country of 122 million residents, data from the nation’s tourism organisation shows.

The rising tide of tourism has created tension among local residents and authorities, with complaints over overcrowding, cultural insensitivity and trespassing. In announcing the cancellation of Fujiyoshida’s cherry blossom festival, authorities cited repeated incidents of disruptive behaviour from tourists in the city.

Credit: iStock

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That included “opening private home doors without permission to use the rest room” officials claimed. They also cited reports of “trespassing, littering” and tourists “defecating in private yards and raising a fuss when residents pointed this out”.

It conceded that even if the festival itself was cancelled, its venue – a park overlooking Mount Fuji – may still see a spike in visitors. Cherry blossom season – March to April – is one of the most popular periods for tourism in Japan each year.

In January, Japan National Tourism Organization revealed a new record for Australian travellers, with 1,058,300 visiting Japan during 2025, an increase of 15 per cent on 2024.

It is the first time more than 1 million Aussies visited the Land of the Rising Sun in a calendar year.

Last year, Naoki Kitazawa, the executive director of Australia’s Japan National Tourism Organisation office, urged Aussies “to consider lesser-known destinations”.

“Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Golden Route offer incredible experiences, but there’s so much more to discover beyond the obvious and what’s trending on social media,” he said. “Just like in Australia, the real magic often lies in exploring the hidden gems of cities and popular destinations, where you’ll find the true essence and diversity of the culture.

“Don’t just stick to the postcard sights – venture out and uncover the stories that aren’t always on the tourist trail.”

This article originally appeared on news.com.au. It was published here with permission.

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