Hachijojima Freesia Festival

Colorful Blossoms in Izu's Southernmost Island

Hachijojima is a subtropical island 287 kilometers south of Tokyo, but technically part of Tokyo. The island's warm climate, distinctive culture (the local dialect is considered one of the most endangered languages in the world), and natural beauty make for a perfect weekend getaway or short trip. In the springtime, the island's volcanic terrain, dotted with hiking trails and hot springs, comes alive with lush vegetation and flowering plants. As the southernmost island in the Izu Peninsula, Hachijojima has a rich marine environment with popular surf breaks, world-class diving, and the chance to view bottleneck dolphins, whales, and other sea life.

Hachijojima Freesia Festival

Hachijojima Freesia Festival is a spring tradition of the island. From March 20th to April 5th, nearly 350,000 freesias blossom in the fields surrounding the base of the dormant Hachi Fuji volcano. The lush red, white, red, yellow, purple, and pink flowers fill the air with their sharp, sweet fragrance. There are numerous activities and events during the festival, including traditional Hachijo style taiko drumming, freesia picking, and exploring local craft markets.

How to get there

You can reach Hachijojima by ship in a little over 10 hours or by plane from Tokyo in a little under an hour.