Izu Oshima by bus

Oshima Camellia Tunnel by Bus Guide

Oshima’s Camellia Tunnel is a small, quiet bus stop idea: not a full-day attraction, but a short nature walk that fits well into an Oshima Park Line day. It is best for travelers who enjoy slow roadside scenery, old trees, and island plant culture more than rushing between big-ticket sights.

Quick Answer

Use Oshima Bus’s Oshima Park Line and get off at the Camellia Tunnel stop. Oshima Bus lists the Camellia Tunnel area as 5 minutes on foot from the stop, while Oshima Town describes the tunnel as being in the Senzu district and about 100m long.

Make this a short, flexible stop. Check the current Oshima Bus timetable before you go, watch your return bus, and treat flower conditions as seasonal context rather than a guarantee.

What The Tunnel Is

Oshima Town’s official Camellia Tunnel page says the tunnel is in the Senzu district and is about 100m long. The town page also says it feels cool during the day even in midsummer and can be walked leisurely.

Oshima Bus describes the area as a stretch of large camellia trees along the Oshima ring road, known as Camellia Tunnel, with some trees around 200 years old. This is a compact landscape stop, so the value is in slowing down: shade, roots, trunks, flowers if the timing is right, and the feeling of old island trees around a working road.

Bus Access

Oshima Bus’s sightseeing page lists the route as the Oshima Park Line, the stop as Camellia Tunnel, and the walk from the stop as 5 minutes. Use the official route-bus page for the current timetable files rather than relying on a copied departure time.

As checked on August 21, 2026, Oshima Bus’s route-bus page showed a timetable period of July 1 to September 30, 2026. It listed one-day passes at 2,500 yen for adults and 1,250 yen for children, and two-day passes at 3,800 yen for adults and 1,900 yen for children, valid on all routes.

Season And Flower Expectations

Camellia is not just a photo prop on Izu Oshima. The Izu Oshima Geopark page identifies camellia as Oshima Town’s tree and flower, and says the island has an estimated about 3 million naturally growing camellias. It also explains that the island’s warm, rainy climate and well-drained ground covered with volcanic ash and scoria suit camellia growth.

For flower timing, keep expectations flexible. The Geopark page says bloom timing differs by variety and individual, with some camellias from September and late ones into May. Oshima Town’s Reiwa 8 tourism event calendar and the Oshima Tourism Association annual events page list the 72nd Izu Oshima Camellia Festival for January 31 to March 21, 2027, but both current conditions and event details should be checked before travel.

Nearby Context

Oshima Bus notes nearby points of interest including Hajikama Shrine and a cut-through area where tree roots extend along the road. Treat those as quiet local context, not as a place to wander without care. Keep to public paths and local signs, and avoid stepping onto private or unsafe roadside areas.

The Camellia Tunnel works well as a modest addition to an Oshima Park Line day. If your main goal is a bigger camellia collection, compare it with Oshima Park or other camellia garden options; if your goal is a low-key transport stop, the tunnel is the better fit.

Roadside Walking Notes

Because official sources place the tunnel along the island’s ring road area, plan it as a roadside walk. Wear shoes that handle damp leaves and uneven ground, keep children close, and step aside carefully when vehicles pass. After rain, roots and leaf litter can be slippery.

Do not pick flowers or break branches for photos. A good visit here is light-touch: arrive by bus, walk slowly, take photos without blocking traffic or paths, and leave enough time for the return bus.

Payment And Practical Notes

Oshima Bus’s FAQ says Suica, PASMO, and other IC cards are not accepted. Cash and PayPay are accepted, and on-bus change is available only for 50 to 500 yen coins and 1,000 yen notes. Carry small cash, especially if you are making a rural stop where you do not want payment friction to affect the next bus.

If the weather is poor, make this a maybe-stop rather than the anchor of the day. The tunnel may be pleasant in light weather, but wind, heavy rain, poor visibility, or a tight timetable can make a short stop feel awkward.

Before You Go Checklist

• Check the latest Oshima Park Line timetable.
• Confirm your return bus before leaving the stop area.
• Bring small cash even if you plan to use PayPay.
• Use seasonal camellia information as context, not a bloom guarantee.
• Stay aware of traffic, wet leaves, roots, and local signs.

Sources

• Oshima Town official Camellia Tunnel page
• Oshima Bus sightseeing information
• Oshima Bus route-bus timetables, maps, fares, and passes
• Oshima Bus FAQ
• Oshima Town Reiwa 8 tourism event calendar
• Oshima Tourism Association annual events page
• Izu Oshima Geopark camellia ecological page
• Izu Oshima Photo Studio source image and terms

Editorial disclosure: This guide was prepared from official town, transport, tourism, Geopark, and source-image pages checked on August 21, 2026. Bus timetables, fares, pass sales, payment rules, seasonal flower conditions, event dates, walking conditions, weather, and local signs can change, so check official pages before travel.