A note from the Kumamoto International Camellia Desk (not to be confused with the Sazanka Desk - that’s a sure way to anger my wife): Nishibira Camellia (tsubaki, 椿 - also a common family name) Park (西平椿公園) in Amakusa Town has a heck of a lot of camellia. 20,000, more or less. About half are Camellia japonica (ヤブツバキ) with the remainder comprising 150 strains collected worldwide. They sure like camellia down there.
Kumanichi notes the photographic opportunities of camellia with the Amakusa Sea as background, which the article wrote as “Amakusanada” (天草灘) - apparently, “nada” (灘) is akin to “sea,” but when I checked it on Weblio, my Spanish kicked in and I thought they had no translation. The blossoms are expected to continue through March, and a festival will be held for camellia aficionados on March third (Hina Matsuri, and also my son’s birthday). You’ll need a car. - William
