ICS 2020 Congress in Goto, Japan - Preliminary Program

Invitation to 2020 International Camellia
Congress in Goto, Japan

February 29th – March 6th, 2020

Executive Committee for the 2020 IC Congress in Goto

Outlook of Goto

Goto city, located about 100 km west of Nagasaki, south-westernmost part of the Japanese Archipelago, is composed of several islands blessed with natural beauty of volcano and sea coast. And the Tsushima Warm Current brings the ideal climate for Camellia japonica. Then 4.4 million camellia trees grow wild there and Goto city is famous for the No.1 production of camellia oil in Japan and for a hometown of the famous camellia cultivar, ‘Tama-no-ura’ with single but beautiful white-bordered red petals found in 1947 by a charcoal burner in Tama-no-ura Town of Goto city. There you cannot miss not only the ‘Tama-no-ura’ but also traditional camellia-related products and culture such as the famous camellia oil industry and abundant camellia trees for windbreak.

‘Tama-no-ura’

The population of Goto city is approximately 40,000 and the main industries of Goto city are fishing, farming and tourism for its beautiful nature and for its long history as a port for foreign trading and diplomatic relay base such as China or European countries in ancient times. Therefore, they were deeply influenced by the occidental and oriental culture including Christianity. Goto city is especially famous for the Japan’s Hidden Christian sites and the UNESCO added it to the World Cultural Heritage list in 2018. Because of the islands away from the mainland, old traditions or culture of Japan had been well preserved.

Goto city can be easily accessible from Fukuoka International Airport in 40 minutes and it takes less than 2 hours from Tokyo (Haneda International Airport or Narita International Airport) or Osaka (Osaka Itami International Airport or Kansai International Airport) to Fukuoka by plane. Otherwise, ferry services take you from Fukuoka city or Nagasaki city to Goto city while you are sleeping in a cabin.

Why not Go To GoTo together !!! Ancient bridge islands to China and European countries, natural beauty, gastronomy, unique culture and 4.4 million wild camellia trees are waiting for you.

Note: Please search and find the promotion video on the‘2020 International Camellia Congress in Goto’ on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbFKbT9bWio).

Goto Congress (February 29th to March 6th, 2020)

(There might be a change in schedule.)

Congress sessions will be taken place in the mornings during the Congress and in the afternoons we are visiting various camellia spots on Goto Islands. Then the annual JCS Camellia Summit is simultaneously being held and the enthusiastic participants from all over Japan will share this commemorating time, giving a unique chance to exchange views and information with the excellent camellia experts who come all the way from all over the world.

After finishing all the visits, you will be transferred to Nagasaki Airport or Nagasaki rail way station. Those who participate post congress tour leave for Osaka Airport from Nagasaki Airport.

Pre-Congress Tour (February 24th to 29th, 2020)

(There might be a change in schedule.)

Pre-Congress Tour will be started in Fukuoka City on February 24. Participants will assemble at a hotel near Fukuoka airport in the late afternoon on February 24th. Bus tour will take you not only the four International Camellia Gardens of Excellence (ICGoE) on Kyushu Island but also the hometown of Higo camellia and Higo sasanqua.

Post-Congress Tour（March 6th to March 11^th,2020）

(There might be a change in schedule.)

In the post tour you will visit Osaka Museum of Natural History and enjoy the ICS awarded Dr. Kishikawa Collection of Camellia Books. There are hundreds of old and important camellia books written in both Japan and European countries. Another highlight is to visit the Ohshima camellia gardens, responding to the enthusiastic appeal or request by the ICS members.　

After finishing all the visits, you will be transferred to Haneda or Narita International Airport.