Here's an announcement I received in an e-mail from the Kumamoto City International Foundation:
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■Nichirin-ji Azalea Festival
More than 35,000 azaleas come into blossom at this time every year.
Time period: From Thur.,16th, to Wed.,29th, Apr.
*You can enoy night-time illumination until 21:00
Place: Nichirin-ji Park (Yamaga City)
Cost: free
Access: Kumamoto Station (boarding) → Shin-Tamana Station (get off)
*about 15 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train
Please board the Sanko bus for “Yamaga Onsen” and get off at “Yamaga bus center”.
*about a 50 minute ride
It takes about 10 minutes from Yamaga bus center by taxi.
For more information: Yamaga City Promotion of Tourism Division
(TEL: 0968-43-1579) *Japanese only
Website: http://www.yamaga-kankoh.hinokuni-net.jp/events/
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The photo you see, a Google map, and a Japanese explanation can be found at