AKB48 tries face threading for the first time and finds it super relaxing—promises to try stinky tofu next

By Reporter Zhu … (Taipei report)

Right after Japan’s most popular girl group AKB48’s general election wrapped up, Team A’s Kazumi Kato, Ayaka Kikuchi, and Team K’s Maria Abe quickly flew to Taiwan to film a travel show—it was also their first overseas activity following the 5th general election. The three beauties were invited to Taiwan to film the travel program “AKB48’s Leisurely Taipei Tour,” and having visited Raohe Night Market yesterday, they found it all very fresh. Ayaka Kikuchi was especially intrigued by face threading and even said she’d get her friends to join her next time.

%The girls experienced face threading in Taiwan for the first time and found it quite enjoyable. Ayaka Kikuchi especially liked it and wants to bring her friends along too. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)

%The three AKB48 members (from left) Maria Abe, Ayaka Kikuchi, and Kazumi Kato came to Taiwan to film a travel short film. (Photo / Reporter Zhu …)

AKB48 arrived in Taiwan on July 1 and will stay in Taipei until July 4. Right after landing, the trio headed to the Taipei City Hall Plaza to film the show. They’ve already tried riding Ubikes, explored Raohe Night Market, and raved about the mango shaved ice—but stinky tofu left the strongest impression. Maria Abe, recalling the experience, covered her nose with her hair, frowned, and exclaimed, “It really smells awful… I’ll give it another try when I come back.” Their upcoming itinerary includes visits to Ximending, Xinbeitou, Xinyi District, and Zhongshan District, where they’ll experience top Taipei attractions like Taipei 101. The program is scheduled to air on BS Japan TV in August.See more of AKB48’s adorable smiles)

Having already had a full day of experiences yesterday, AKB48 shared their thoughts at a press conference on July 2 and even wrote postcards. Maria Abe hopes to invite her good friend and fellow AKB48 member Anna Iriyama to visit Taipei. Kazumi Kato feels that many places in Taipei are similar to Japan and the food is delicious too—she wants to bring her mom along. Ayaka Kikuchi, after trying face threading, wants to gather her friends to get beautiful together.

%The girls write postcards together with (from left) …, Kazumi Kato, and Ayaka Kikuchi. (Photo / Reporter Zhu …)

Kazumi Kato found it unbelievable that you can use an EasyCard to rent an Ubike. “Japan used to have a similar system, but it’s nowhere to be found now. I’m really happy to see it again in Taipei, and I didn’t expect you could even use it to shop—it’s so convenient!” Ayaka Kikuchi couldn’t get enough of the night market snacks, especially mango shaved ice, pepper buns, and pineapple cakes. “Everyone said we had to try the pineapple cakes before coming to Taipei. Ayaka already sneaked a bite—how sneaky!” Maria Abe was more impressed by Taipei’s culture. “I do love the food too, like herbal pork ribs, but what really attracted me the most were the people. Everyone is so friendly—it felt really warm.”

%Ayaka Kikuchi shows off her newly threaded face, while Kazumi Kato and Maria Abe write postcards together. (Photo / Reporter Zhu …)

Zhao Xinping, Director of the Tourism and Travel Bureau, who attended the event, said that they invited the three AKB48 beauties to help market to the Japanese audience. According to data, last year, Japanese visitors to Taiwan totaled 1.43 million, with over 90% visiting Taipei. Just from January to May this year, Japanese tourists spent NT$14.4 billion in Taipei. To further boost Japanese interest in visiting Taipei, they specially invited AKB48 to experience “101 Highlights of Taipei Tourism.”

During this Taipei trip to film the travel show, AKB48 will follow three main themed routes: feeling “the warmth of home in Taipei” at Meiting and Dadaocheng, finding “a more beautiful you in Taipei” at Beitou Hot Spring, and enjoying authentic street food at Raohe Night Market for a “culinary feast in Taipei.” Zhao Xinping expressed hope that after the show airs, Japanese tourists will gain a deeper appreciation for Taipei’s charm.