Mt. Kasayama Camellia Grove

At the northern tip of Mt. Kasayama near Hagi, around 25,000 yabutsubaki camellia trees carpet roughly 10 hectares of hillside. The grove was restored in the 1970s after researchers identified the mountain's microclimate as ideal for camellia growth. Blooms run from early December through late March, peaking in mid-February. The Hagi Camellia Festival draws visitors during peak season. A 13-meter observation deck gives a full view of the grove. One celebrated tree called Renri no Tsubaki is actually two conjoined trees, long considered a symbol of enduring partnership.