The Nippon Domannaka Festival (Domatsuri), one of Japan's largest Yosakoi dance festivals, is currently taking place with great excitement. In response to a warm invitation from Japan, the Taichung City Government has sent the dance class from Taichung Municipal Wen-Hua Senior High School to join the festivities in Nagoya. While there, they visited various local units, including the Aichi Prefectural Government, Nagoya City Hall, Nagoya City Tourism Association, Domannaka Cultural Foundation, and Chubu Centrair International Airport. The Taichung City Government aims to strengthen the friendly ties with Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City and hopes to encourage more Japanese visitors to come to Taichung and experience its charm.

According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, a team led by Counselor Yeh Kuo-Chu traveled to Japan for exchange meetings. On August 22, they first visited Central Japan International Airport Company to discuss marketing topics such as direct flights and mutual passenger services. Nagae Hidehisa, the Executive Director of the company, also led a team to participate in the discussion. Counselor Yeh noted that the two airports in Taichung and Nagoya are sister airports, and the Taichung City Government had previously organized Taichung Week events there, which were well-received. After the pandemic, direct flights between Taichung and Nagoya resumed in July, and both sides aim to keep the interaction dynamic and offer more convenient travel options for people in both places. The discussion went quite well.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau highlighted that this year's Nippon Domannaka Festival features 16 performance venues across Nagoya, infusing the city with lively energy. This weekend, approximately 20,000 performers from around the world are expected, and tourist numbers are projected to exceed 2 million. Taichung Municipal Wen-Hua Senior High School, representing Taichung, Taiwan, closed the first finale performance on the evening of August 23 at Hisaya Odori Park's food plaza, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd. This visit coincides with the 5th anniversary of the tourism partnership between Taichung and Nagoya. On August 23, the delegation visited the Nagoya City Hall and was warmly welcomed by Saji Dokuho, the Director of the Tourism and Cultural Exchange Bureau. Saji Dokuho, who visited Taichung in July for the first time, was impressed by the city’s status as a major international hub and is confident in recommending Taichung to the Japanese audience.

According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, Taichung and Nagoya will deepen their cultural exchanges through major events such as the Nippon Domannaka Festival and the Taichung International Dance Carnival, with the goal of promoting mutual cultural understanding and appreciation, hoping that Nagoya residents will fall in love with Taichung as well. Furthermore, the Domannaka Cultural Foundation, the event organizer, hosted a cordial luncheon for the visiting delegation of the Taichung City Government. Chairman Okada Kunihiko conveyed his support for the Taichung International Dance Carnival, showcasing the strong bond between Taiwan and Japan.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau added that the upcoming 2024 Taichung International Dance Carnival, set for September 14 and 15 in front of Fengyuan Station, will feature a performance by YAYOI, which has consistently performed well at the Nippon Domannaka Festival and won the second prize at the 25th Nippon Domannaka Festival last year. Japanese culture lovers should definitely attend the 2024 Taichung International Dance Carnival.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau also noted that the visit was filled with productive activities, significantly deepening cultural exchanges between Taichung and Nagoya. Strengthening cultural ties through major events aims to cultivate the Japanese tourism market and make Taichung a sought-after destination for Japanese travelers.