Spring arrives early in Okinawa—and nowhere earlier than at the 44th Annual Higashi Village Azalea Festival. Known as the earliest azalea festival in Japan, this vibrant celebration paints the hillsides of Higashi Village Tsutsuji Garden in brilliant shades of pink, red, and white.

The festival showcases approximately 50,000 azalea bushes blanketing the hillsides. The vivid blooms set against the sparkling blue East China Sea create a breathtaking contrast that draws flower lovers and photographers from across the island and beyond.

While the festival opens on March 1, the azaleas typically reach full bloom around mid-March—making each visit a slightly different and unique experience. Please note that the garden is open to the public only during the festival hours.

During the festival, there are special performances on Mar. 15 (Sun), starting at 11:00, when Higashi Village Performing Arts Festival takes place, presenting traditional Ryukyuan dance, sanshin music, karate demonstrations, and more.

On Mar. 20 (Fri) Dynamic Eisa Drum Performance takes place from 13:00.

The garden grounds are spacious and include some elevation changes, but even physically challenged visitors can explore the area with confidence, as manual wheelchairs available free of charge and electric wheelchairs are available for rent (for ¥1,000 up to 2 hours).

Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times. Organizers remind visitors to follow proper etiquette to help everyone enjoy the festival.

Visitors can take home a little piece of spring from the festival, during which azaleas and other plants are available for purchase at affordable prices.

Date: Mar. 1 (Sun) – 22 (Sun), 2026
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:00)
Place: Villagers' Forest Azalea Garden
Admission: ¥500 for High School students & older, Free for Junior High students & younger