Spring is allegedly here, and while most of us are just trying to figure out why the humidity is already at 90 percent, the folks up in Higashi Village are opening their gates for the 44th year in a row. They’ve got about 50,000 azaleas ready to burst into colors that your mother-in-law will definitely find “lovely” while she criticizes your driving on the way up North. It is a rare chance to step foot in the Village Forest Azalea Garden, a place usually closed to the public—probably to keep the flowers safe from people who think a selfie is worth a trampled shrub 🌺.
Where and When
Dates: March 1 (Sunday) through March 22 (Sunday), 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM)
Location: Higashi Village Forest Azalea Garden
What is Happening Up There
If looking at 50,000 plants isn’t enough to satisfy your craving for “culture,” there is a rotating schedule of activities designed to keep you from wandering into the Pacific Ocean. They have everything from karaoke for the brave to traditional Eisa for those who like their drums loud and their history vibrant.
Event Schedule
March 1 (Sunday) at 9:40 AM Opening Ceremony to kick things off 🎤
March 7 (Saturday) and March 8 (Sunday) from 9:00 AM Mini Amusement Park and Street Performer Day for the kids 🤡
March 14 (Saturday) at 1:00 PM Karaoke Contest where everyone thinks they are a rockstar 🎶
March 15 (Sunday) at 11:00 AM Higashi Village Residents’ Performing Arts Festival 🎭
March 20 (Friday, Holiday) at 1:00 PM Eisa Performance Day to get the heart racing 🥁
March 21 (Saturday) at 1:00 PM Comedy Live Day because we all need a laugh 😆
March 22 (Sunday) at 11:00 AM Artist Live Day for the grand finale 🎸
Just the Facts
Entry will cost you 500 yen if you are high school age or older. Middle schoolers and younger get in for free, which is a rare bargain in this economy. If you decide to bring the dog because you can’t find a sitter, keep it on a leash. Nobody wants a rogue poodle reenacting a Godzilla movie in the flower beds 🐕. There is plenty of parking for the 450 people who manage to find the place on a map, and the view of the Pacific from the hilltop is actually quite spectacular, provided the clouds decide to cooperate 🌊.
Join a Guided Tour in Okinawa
Disclaimer
⚠️Disclaimer: Our passion for supporting local businesses drives us to share information about events in the Okinawa area. Please note that Oki Social is not responsible for hosting this event. It’s important to be aware that the event’s host reserves the right to make changes or even cancel the event without prior notice. Some photos and videos may come from various sources on the internet, whether official or unofficial. It is possible that some photos and videos may have been taken from the same event in previous occurrences.
