A world-famous festival has been cancelled as locals fear overtourism and bad behaviour. Thousands of tourists have been heading to Japan in recent years, with many wanting to see the iconic cherry blossom trees.

The historically pricey destination has seen a surge in visitors due to the weak yen. Yet, Japan could see peak numbers this year, with authorities trying to clamp down on excessive levels of tourism. As a result, an annual event held near Mount Fuji has been cancelled.

The famous cherry blossom festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park draws as many as 200,000 visitors a year. It has been running for about a decade as stage events and stalls appear while people take in the stunning backdrop.

Authorities in the city of Fujiyoshida announced the cancellation of the sakura festival this week. The Arakurayama Sengen Park’s observation deck has become a tourist hotspot for views of Mount Fuji.

In spring, the iconic mountatin is framed by cherry blossoms as the five-tiered Chureito Pagoda sits in the foreground. However, issues of traffic congestions, disruption to residents and littering has grown.

“For Fujiyoshida City, Mount Fuji is not just a tourist attraction; it is our very way of life,” Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi told local media. “However, I feel a strong sense of crisis about the reality that, behind the beautiful scenery, the quiet lives and dignity of our residents are being threatened.”

According to Straits Times, there have been incidents of trespassing, tourists entering homes without permission to use the toilet and people defecating in private gardens.

Parents have also raised safety concerns amid reports of school children being pushed off pavements due to tourist crowds.

Despite the festival being cancelled, there is still expected to be an influx of tourists to the site during cherry blossom season. Authorities are preparing by installing portable toilets and will have security guards on hand.

The observation deck is expected to be very busy, with waiting times of up to three hours to get the perfect view. It’s not the first time Japan has tried to crack down on overtourism.

Last year, the nearby town of Fujikawaguchiko became so fed up of tourists that they installed a 20-metre-long and 2.5-metre-high fence to block out a viral photo spot. It came after incidents of tresspassing, littering and tourists ignoring traffic lights.