Too many tourists!

▲ "Yg Garden Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Festival Night Illumination." (Photo / Provided by Kyoto Travelers)

By reporter Cai Wenjun / Comprehensive report

Kyoto’s annual highlight for cherry blossom viewing, the "Yg Garden Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Festival Night Illumination," has been unexpectedly canceled this year just before the official start of the cherry blossom season, due to the continually growing number of tourists and safety concerns.

The Yg Garden Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Festival Night Illumination has a 27-year history. The area around Shirakawa features historic old streets filled with charm, where you can often spot geisha strolling by. With about 40 cherry blossom trees lining the street, the blooming flowers create a particularly romantic atmosphere, attracting around 300,000 visitors each cherry blossom season.

▲ The beautiful cherry blossoms of Yg Garden Shirakawa. (Photo / Provided by Kyoto Travelers)

However, in recent years, the dramatic rise in foreign visitors has led to overcrowding. The most crowded spot, Sukiyabashi Bridge, has even seen accidents where tourists fell into the river due to the sheer volume of people. Additionally, there aren't enough security personnel to ensure the safety of all visitors. After a decision by local residents, it has been decided to cancel the night illumination this year. The event may resume in the future if the issue of insufficient manpower is resolved.