Goishi Kaigan Campsite

Tsubakikan and Go stones around the world

Ofunato is known as the "village of camellias" due to its warm climate, and the native camellias are blooming with red flowers everywhere. The camellia has been designated as the flower of Ofunato City and has become a symbol of the city. The World Camellia Museum/Goishi exhibits 700 camellias of approximately 600 varieties from 13 countries around the world. In addition to displaying seasonal flowers produced in the area, camellia seedlings, camellia goods, camellia oil, and potted plants are also on sale.

Camellia in Ofunato City

Camellia, the flower of Ofunato City. It is known as the northern limit for harvesting ``Yabutsubaki'' along the Pacific coast, and grows wild throughout the city.

Suneka of Yoshihama

A small New Year's ritual held on January 15th every year. Suneka, a straw man wearing a strange mask, goes around the houses in the area, praying for the healthy growth of children, a rich harvest, and a bountiful catch. The origin of ``suneka'' is said to be ``sunekawa taguri'', which is used to peel off the skin of the skin on the shins, which is caused by being too lazy to be around irori during the cold winter. The gestures and appearance that warn against lazy or crying children are very regional. The Yoshihama Suneka Preservation Society carries out activities to pass on the history of Suneka, such as lending costumes to children in the area. It was designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property in 2004. On November 29, 2018, "Visiting Gods: Gods in Masks and Costumes," including "Yoshihama Suneka," was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.