How familiar are you in regards to the camellia?

The scientific name of the camellia is actually, Camellia Japonica and is native to the land of Japan.   In the 18th Century, the camellia had travelled abroad and had since spread worldwide to develop various types of western camellias. From what is known there are over 6,000 different types of camellia in the world.

[ Pic: Town of Camellia, Ofunato Symbol]

[Pic: Town of Camellia, Ofunato Symbol]

In a previous article, (March 2023) we have mentioned that Ofunato City is a port city, but we are also known as the Town of Camellia, thanks to the naturally growing camellia throughout the city. The camellia flower has also been officially designated as the city’s flower and is used in the symbol to represent the city.

For today’s article we would like to share with you some of the key camellia points in Ofunato City.（Please click here for more information about Camellia Tea! (The Sanriku Camellia Story | Iwate & the ILC (iwate-ilc.jp))」）

 

 

Prefectural Natural Monument 「Ofunato’s Three Face Camellia」

Near the entrance of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park – Goishi Coast, there is a Japanese Shrine named Kumano Shrine. Within this shrine stands a very large camellia japonica Tree called Ofunato’s Three Face Camellia.

[Pic: Three Face Camellia]

The Kumano Shrine is a very traditional shrine, and although currently has a camellia on its west side, it used to have a camellia tree planted on its East, South, and West side, hence the name “Three Face.”
We are deeply saddened by the fact that almost half of the tree had been severely damaged due to a hurricane in the past, but even still it blooms a beautiful red camellia flower during the change form winter to spring. Not only is this tree special because it grows to such size at a high latitude area, but also because it is said to have lived for over 1,400 years.

 

 

Goishi Camellia Garden
At the Goishi Camellia Garden near Ohama Shore you can find approximately 1000 camellia trees grown in these parts.
From the pavilion on the hill, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ria coast along with the red, white, yellow camellias which beautifully bloom here.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　[Pic：View of the Ria Coast from the Camellia Garden

The World’s Camellia Museum, Goishi
“The World’s Camellia Museum, Goishi” is an world class indoor camellia exhibit where you can see a display of over 700 camellia trees made up of over 600 different species from 13 different countries. From January to March is the blooming season for camellias, and this is without a doubt the timing in which you can experience the profusion of flowers from the world
In addition to the various other flowers which bloom in different seasons, you can also find camellia seedlings, camellia related goods, as well as camellia oil products lined up in the souvenir section!
As per previous years, the blooming season is also the timing of the “Sanriku, Ofunato Camellia Festival”
This year, it is open from January 28th to March 20th, and on the Sundays during this time, there will be small booths and activities such as camellia oil extraction activity and hand massages using camellia oils.
[Pic: The World’s Camellia Museum, Goishi] 　 [Pic: Camellias on display] 　　　[Sanriku, Ofunato 27th Camellia Festival Poster]


[Movie： The World’s Camellia Museum, Goishi Promotion Trailer (YouTube)]

If you are interested in seeing the camellias, I sincerely recommend visiting during the blooming season!

Japanese

【椿の里　大船渡】
みなさんは椿という植物をご存知でしょうか？
椿は、学名を「Camellia Japonica」と言い、日本原産の植物です。18世紀以降、欧米に渡り、華やかな西洋椿が作られました。品種は全世界で6,000種類以上にものぼっています。
以前の記事（2023年３月号）で、大船渡市を「港湾都市」とご紹介しましたが、実は、大船渡市は、市内の至る所にヤブツバキが自生していることから、「椿の里」とも呼ばれています。椿は市の花に指定されており、まちのシンボルとなっています。
本記事では、そんな大船渡市にある椿の名所をご紹介します。（関連記事：椿茶のご紹介はこちらから（https://www.iwate-ilc.jp/eng/ktimes/the-sanriku-camellia-story/）※ワンクリックで参照されたい方は、英語記事リンクをお使いください）

岩手県指定の天然記念物「大船渡の三面椿」
三陸復興国立公園「碁石海岸」のある碁石半島の入り口付近に「熊野神社」という神社があり、その境内の一角に、大きなヤブツバキ「大船渡の三面椿」があります。
熊野神社は古い由緒ある神社で、かつて社殿の東、南、西の三面に椿が植栽されていたことが名前の由来となっていますが、現在残っているのは、東側の椿だけです。
過去の台風により主幹が２本欠損し、樹形の半分が失われたことが大変惜しまれますが、今でも冬から春にかけて多くの真っ赤な花をつけます。日本国内の高緯度の地方にある椿の大木として、価値があるだけでなく、一説によると樹齢1,400年以上の日本最古の古木とも言われています。

碁石椿園
碁石海岸・大浜を臨む碁石椿園は、ヤブツバキをはじめとした約1,000本の椿が植樹されています。
高台にある東屋からは赤・白・黄色など様々な色に咲き乱れる椿とリアス海岸の美しい景色を堪能できます。

世界の椿館・碁石
「世界の椿館・碁石」は椿を展示する屋内施設としては国内最大級であり、日本だけでなく、世界13ヵ国約600種類700本もの椿を一堂に堪能することができます。特に椿が見頃を迎える１月下旬から３月下旬にかけては、百花繚乱の世界が広がります。
地域で生産された四季折々の植栽展示のほか、椿の苗木、椿グッズ、椿油などの販売も行われています。
また、例年開花期には「三陸・大船渡つばきまつり」が開催されています。
今年は１月28日から３月20日まで開催されており、日曜日には、椿油搾油体験やハンドマッサージなど様々なイベントが行われます。

訪れるなら椿が見頃の今がおすすめです！
ぜひ「椿の里」大船渡市に足をお運びください！

Posted in Ofunato City. Other recent articles in The Kitakami Times...

  • Morioka City

    Fall in Morioka

  • Iwate Prefecture

    The Link Between Iwate Town and Ireland

  • Ichinoseki City

    Walking courses around Ichinoseki