Japan’s battle with overtourism has reached a new turning point as Fujiyoshida cancels its famous Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival amid mounting pressure from record visitor numbers.
Japan welcomed a record number of international visitors in 2025, even as arrivals from China fell sharply late in the year amid rising diplomatic tensions.
Japan welcomed 3.43 million visitors in July 2025, setting a new monthly record. While arrivals from Hong Kong and South Korea fell, strong demand from China, the U.S., and Europe kept the momentum high.
Japan is set to require travel insurance, screen for unpaid medical bills, and may adjust tax exemptions to protect its public health system amid soaring international arrivals.