Beauty Besties, listen up! There’s some news that makes us rethink traveling. The annual cherry blossom festival in Fujiyoshida, Japan, usually a highly anticipated event, has been canceled. How could this happen? It turns out that due to the overwhelming number of visitors, local residents have become overwhelmed and feel their lives are being disrupted. Oh dear, what’s really going on?
Why Did This Beautiful Sakura Festival Have to Stop?
So, the city of Fujiyoshida is famous for its majestic view of Mount Fuji, especially in spring when thousands of cherry trees bloom beautifully. Well, because it’s become increasingly popular, especially with so many shares on social media, up to 10,000 tourists can visit every day! Crazy, right?
The Mayor of Fujiyoshida, Mr. Shigeru Horiuchi, even said that this beautiful scenery has now become a threat to the ‘peaceful lives of the residents.’ It’s cool, but if it disrupts the comfort of the residents, it’s not good at all. Therefore, after careful consideration, they decided to end the festival that had been running for ten years. This decision was made to preserve the dignity and environment of the residents.
The Real Impact of Overtourism: It’s Not Just Trash!
We often think that more tourists are better for the economy. But, in Fujiyoshida, things are different. The uncontrolled surge in visitors has overwhelmed the small city. What are the problems?
- Severe Traffic Jams: The roads become a sea of vehicles, making it difficult to move!
- Scattered Trash: Leftover food, drink bottles, and snack wrappers are everywhere. It’s unpleasant to see, especially for the residents living there.
- Rude Tourist Behavior: This is the most infuriating part. Some people open residents’ doors to use their toilets, enter private property without permission, and even defecate in residents’ gardens! It’s outrageous, isn’t it? When protested, it leads to disturbances.
Imagine, you’re enjoying a beautiful view, and suddenly someone causes trouble. You’d be so annoyed!
Still Be Prepared, But More Orderly!
Although the festival is canceled, Fujiyoshida still needs to be prepared for many visitors, especially in April and May. Now, the city government is thinking of ways to manage tourist flow better. The goal is clear: to prevent similar incidents from happening again and ensure everyone can be comfortable.
This Isn’t the First Time, You Know!
Don’t worry, you’re not alone if you’re surprised. The case in Fujiyoshida is not the first in Japan. Last year, in the Fujikawaguchiko area, they had to install a giant black fence at one of the most popular photo spots to block the view of Mount Fuji. Why? Because of tourists who carelessly littered and parked illegally. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?
This phenomenon of overtourism isn’t just happening in Japan. In Italy, for example, they had to impose an entrance fee to the Trevi Fountain in Rome, which used to be free. The cost isn’t high, only about Rp40,000, but the purpose is to control the number of visitors and fund maintenance.
What Does This Mean for Us, the Beauty Besties?
From this story, we learn a lot, right? Traveling is fun, you get to see new places and have new experiences. But, we must also remember our responsibility as guests. Respecting local culture, maintaining cleanliness, and not causing trouble are very important. The beauty of nature and culture must be preserved together so it can be enjoyed forever.
So, next time you plan a vacation, let’s be smart travelers! For the residents of Salwa Salon, we hope we can continue to be beauty besties who care not only about appearance but also about the surrounding environment. Stay fabulous and responsible!
