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Izu Oshima Tsubaki Festival
A winter festival that adorns the entire island of Izu Oshima with camellias
Izu Oshima is an island blessed with abundant nature located about 120 kilometers south of Tokyo. The Tsubaki Festival is held every year from late January through late March, during which many events are held for visitors to enjoy the various charms of tsubaki, or camellia flowers. Around three million wild Japanese camellias, as well as over a thousand garden species of camellias blooming in three gardens, acknowledged by an internationally recognized organization vibrantly color the whole island.
Three million shrubs of wild camellias
About three million camellias are said to be blooming across Izu Oshima island. In addition to the ornamental beauty, the trees are essential for the islanders' livelihood, such as for the use of camellia oil and as windbreak forests to protect the crop fields. Take a relaxing walk among the abundant camellias, which can be spotted all over the island.
The Tsubaki Festival opening with the Edo Mikoshi and Anko Parade
A parade of Edo mikoshi (portable shrine of the Edo period style) and anko (regional dialect for a girl or young woman) opens the Tsubaki Festival. Headed by Miss Oshima and the Miss Queen of Tsubaki, the parade is followed by a powerful Edo mikoshi to enliven the festival.
Oshima Park, an International Camellia Garden of Excellence
There are three Gardens of Excellence in Izu Oshima: the Tokyo Metropolitan Oshima Park, Tokyo Metropolitan Oshima High School, and Tsubaki-Hana-Garden. The Gardens of Excellence are outstanding camellia gardens recognized by the International Camellia Society. Tokyo Metropolitan Oshima Park hosts the main stage of the festival, the Tsubaki Plaza, where folk entertainment such as traditional Oshima folksongs and anko hand dances are performed, as well as various events including the award ceremony for the Miss Tsubaki Queen Contest.
Location
| Name | Izu Oshima Tsubaki Festival |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | (In Japanese) http://www.izu-oshima.or.jp/ |
| Address | Oshima-machi, Tokyo |
| Access | From Tokyo Takeshiba Terminal, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes on the Tokai Kisen High-Speed Jet Ferry From Atami Port (Shizuoka Prefecture), approximately 45 minutes on the Tokai Kisen High-Speed Jet Ferry From Kurihama Port (Kanagawa Prefecture), approximately 1 hour on the Tokai Kisen High-Speed Jet Ferry |
| Inquiries | TEL: 04992-2-2177 (Oshima Tourism Association) |
| Location of the Event | Various locations around Oshima, Tokyo |
| Period of the Event | Late January to late March every year Tsubaki Plaza (the main venue of Tsubaki Festival) open 9:00 to 15:30 (planned) Please see the website for details. |