Camellia Festival

The Camellia Festival in Nonoichi (Hana to Midori no Nonoichi Tsubaki Matsuri) is a spring cultural event celebrating the camellia, the city’s symbolic flower. The 2026 festival will be held over two days at multiple venues including Nonoichi City Cultural Hall Forte, Nigiwai no Sato Nonoichi Camino, and Nonoichi Central Park.

The festival marks the arrival of spring in Nonoichi and brings together exhibitions, markets, and hands-on activities centred on camellias and greenery. Visitors can view a wide range of camellia blossoms collected from across the city in dedicated flower displays, as well as enjoy art exhibitions featuring paintings, photographs, calligraphy, poetry, and ikebana inspired by camellias. These displays highlight both the natural beauty of the flower and its long-standing place in Japanese culture.

Local products and camellia-related goods are sold at specialty markets, including limited-edition items available only during the festival. Camellia seedlings are also offered for purchase, encouraging visitors to grow the flower at home. Tea ceremony gatherings are held throughout the event, reflecting the camellia’s traditional role as a tea flower and offering a quiet space for relaxation.

The program includes workshops that introduce practical uses of camellias, such as camellia oil extraction and the making of skin-friendly balms, as well as cultural lectures and special exhibitions. Food stalls and a communal dining area add to the festive atmosphere, while free hospitality services are provided on a limited basis.

In addition, the festival features community participation through open calls for camellia-themed artwork by children and adults, with selected works exhibited during the event. Go and shogi tournaments are also held, contributing to the festival’s broad appeal.