New Taipei City’s “City of Sky Lanterns” Signs Tourism Agreement with Japan’s “Hometown of Ninjas”

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

New Taipei City Advances Its International Tourism Push Again! The Tourism and Travel Bureau announced that starting today, New Taipei’s “City of Sky Lanterns” and Japan’s “Hometown of Ninjas” will begin exchange and cooperation. By signing a tourism agreement, the two sides aim to promote bilateral tourism. In the initial phase, tourism information will be made available on official tourism websites, allowing Taiwanese people to learn more about travel information in Mie Prefecture, including details about the famous Ise Grand Shrine with its 1,300-year history, Japan’s highest number of “ama” (female divers), and delicious Matsusaka beef.

▲ Mie Prefecture in Japan is known as the “Hometown of Ninjas.” (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau)

The Tourism and Travel Bureau stated that on October 21, it officially signed the “Tourism Exchange and Cooperation Agreement” with Mie Prefecture in Japan, promoting tourism exchanges between Taiwan’s City of Sky Lanterns in Pingxi and Japan’s Ninja Hometown in Mie. New Taipei City focuses on the sky lantern culture of Pingxi as its main theme, extending to nearby attractions such as Jiufen, Tamsui, and Yehliu, while also actively marketing representative events such as the Gongliao International Marine Music Festival and the New Taipei City Happy Christmas event.

The Mie Prefecture Tourism International Bureau pointed out that Mie is located between Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto, offering convenient transportation. The prefecture’s Iga region is one of the birthplaces of Japanese ninjas, hence earning the nickname “Hometown of Ninjas.” Other famous tourist attractions include the Ise Grand Shrine, the Suzuka Circuit which hosts F1 races, and the Ise-Shima National Park. As for cuisine, the area is home to internationally renowned Matsusaka beef and Ise lobster.

▲ Mie Prefecture’s famous attraction, the Ise Grand Shrine (left), and Mie also has Japan’s highest number of “ama” (right). (Photo / From Wikipedia; provided by New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau)

After signing the agreement, the two cities will first establish tourism information on their respective official tourism websites to help the public better understand each other’s local customs and culture. In the future, they plan to further promote mutually beneficial policies such as resource sharing.