The Yilan Sea Anemone Festival has officially kicked off at Yangmingshan Mountain, with Inspector Zenigata from "Urawa Police Station" appearing in the sea anemone fields!

▲ The Zhu Zi Hu Sea Anemone Festival has officially kicked off. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Agriculture Development Bureau)

Reported by Yu Jiayun / Taipei

The Zhu Zi Hu Sea Anemone Festival, already blooming with white sea anemones, officially opened romantically today (March 24). This year, in addition to picking sea anemones, there’s a special innovative theme called “Slow & Relaxing,” blending popular cartoon and anime culture. A Urawa Police Station set was built right in the sea anemone field, and the owner even dressed up as the comic character Inspector Zenigata to welcome the season alongside visitors!

▲ Vast fields of romantic sea anemones. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Department of Economic Development)

Once primarily a farming area, Zhu Zi Hu has gradually transformed into a leisure farm. Now, sea anemones have become a must-visit spot for tourists coming to Taipei between March and May each year. Last year, an unprecedented cold wave hit, covering the sea anemones in snow and affecting their blooming; this year, however, the sea anemones are in full, vibrant bloom. This year, the city government collaborated with Beitou Farmers’ Association to specially design an anime-themed experience, setting up various interactive photo spots throughout the leisure farms in Zhu Zi Hu, allowing flower-visiting tourists to create lasting memories.

▲ The sea anemone farm owner dressed up as Inspector Zenigata. (Photo / Authorized by Chen Zhiyu)

Mr. Lu Zhucheng, owner of Huagu Sea Anemone Garden, said that this year’s theme is different from previous ones—it's innovative and contemporary. Since many people enjoy watching cartoons and anime during their downtime, they found this year’s theme particularly fresh and fun. He also hopes to create favorite anime scenes in his own garden through this year’s festival theme, giving visitors a unique experience while admiring the flowers.