Vibrant Taiwan-Japan Exchanges: Hot Spring Warmth Flows from Beitou to Yuda Onsen in Yamaguchi, Japan
- Feature Articles
- Posted by：Editor
- 2023-10-05 ‧ 1422reads
The Taiwan study tour arrived yesterday at their accommodation in Yuda Onsen, Yamaguchi City, and received a warm welcome from the locals. The Japanese hosts held a welcome banquet that evening. Yamaguchi City Mayor Ito Kazuki, Ryokan Association Representative Director Nakamura Takuya, Mine City Mayor Shinoda Hiroshi, and other local representatives all spontaneously mentioned the longstanding friendship with Taiwan in their speeches, expressing hopes for even closer exchanges and deeper collaboration in the future to promote mutual tourism development.
The Taiwan Commercial District Cultural Tourism Industry Federation and delegation arrived in Japan yesterday (4th) for a 5-day Kyushu-Shikoku exchange tour. (Photo by reporter Chou Hsing-Jui)
President Chou Shui-Mei of the Taiwan Commercial District Cultural Tourism Industry Federation said that her connection with Yamaguchi City dates back to when she served as the 3rd Chairperson of the Taipei Hot Spring Development Association in 2006. At that time, Yuda Onsen Chairman Umebayashi Yoshio was still alive, and the two would meet every year, exchanging valuable advice on the hot spring industry and building a deep friendship. This bond has continued to this day, forming a solid foundation for exchanges with Yamaguchi City.
Representatives from Yamaguchi Prefecture's Mine City, Yuda Onsen, and others warmly welcomed the Taiwan study tour. (Photo by reporter Chou Hsing-Jui)
President Chou emphasized that for the November 1-6 Beitou Hot Spring Festival, this year coincides with the quadrennial "Shrine-Crashing" event. Four mikoshi (portable shrines) from the Dogo Hachichokai in Matsuyama City have been specially invited to Taiwan to recreate the authentic shrine-crashing festival for Taiwanese audiences. It promises to be spectacular, and Japanese friends are welcome to come to Taiwan for the celebration, as are all members of the public, to experience the warm friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
Yamaguchi City Mayor Ito Kazuki mentioned in his speech that he had previously visited Beitou and will also come to Taiwan next month to attend the Beitou Hot Spring Festival. (Photo by reporter Chou Hsing-Jui)