Japan’s Manga Kingdom Tottori Holds a Carnival in Taichung

By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported

Tottori Prefecture, Japan, proud of its title as the “Kingdom of Manga,” is the hometown of the creators of two renowned manga series—GeGeGe no Kitaro and Detective Conan. To introduce its local tourism and culture to the public, the “Manga Kingdom Tottori Carnival in Taichung” will be held from now until January 16 (Monday) at the Water Dance Plaza on the first floor of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Zhonggang Store in Taichung. In addition to the latest travel information, the event will feature various celebration activities, including stage quizzes with prizes, a Kitaro rock-paper-scissors contest, yukata (casual kimono) experience, Love Frog matchmaking wishes, and Kitaro origami. The product exhibition area will showcase Kitaro merchandise, a Kitaro Café designed by manga artist Shigeru Mizuki himself, as well as sales and tastings of Tottori Prefecture’s specialty pears.

Tottori Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Japan’s Chugoku region, facing the Sea of Japan. Its most famous natural attraction is the 16-kilometer-long Sand Dunes. The central area of San’in is home to one of the world’s rare radium hot springs, while Kurayoshi City features a row of white-walled kura (storehouses) that preserve the appearance of old earthen-wall warehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods, exuding a strong sense of nostalgia. The “Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum” collects pear specimens from around the world. The Tottori Flower Corridor is Japan’s largest flower park, hosting different themed exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, Shigeru Mizuki, the author of GeGeGe no Kitaro, and Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan, are both distinguished individuals hailing from Tottori Prefecture.

Tottori Prefecture was originally a sister prefecture to Taichung County. Following the merger of Taichung County and City, in order to strengthen cultural and tourism exchanges with Taichung City, this event introduces Tottori’s tourist attractions and manga characteristics to the public. Additionally, from now until January 16 (Monday), a static exhibition showcasing Tottori Prefecture’s tourism is also being held on the first-floor lobby of the HuiZhong Building of the Taichung City Government for public viewing.