Northeast Six Prefectures Gratitude Festival – Delicious Food, Exciting Performances, and Fun-filled Days

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 
It has been four years and eight months since the Great East Japan Earthquake. We are deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from all over Taiwan during this time, which has helped the Tohoku region of Japan to steadily move forward on the path to recovery. The six prefectures of Northeast Japan have specially held the “Japan Tohoku Travel Day” event in Taiwan to express their deepest gratitude.

 

This year continues the spirit of last year’s “Northeast Six Prefectures Gratitude Festival.” With even more enthusiasm, Northeast Japan has prepared an even richer program, hoping to share the joy with the people of Taiwan. In addition to expressing our gratitude to the Taiwanese public, we also aim to create opportunities for exchange between Northeast Japan and the people of Taiwan by showcasing the region’s tourism appeal.

A gratitude zone will be set up at the event site. The heartfelt donations from Taiwan following the 311 earthquake have taken root and blossomed throughout Tohoku. In particular, the ¥2 billion donated through the Taiwan Red Cross was used to construct the “Minamisanriku Hospital & Disaster Prevention and Response Center” in Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture, which officially opened on November 25, 2015. Going forward, it will continue to protect the residents of Miyagi Prefecture, serving as a beacon of light warmed by Taiwan’s love for the hearts of Tohoku.

 
Highlights of the event include:
To commemorate this friendship and gratitude, Northeast Japan has specially prepared the following two tokens of appreciation
　　 1. Blooming Together – Sakura Trees from Taiwan and Japan 2. Blessings from World Heritage Sites – Cherry Blossoms from Yamadera Temple in Yamagata Prefecture

Goldfish lanterns in Aomori Prefecture. (Photo provided by Japan Tohoku Travel Day)

During the three-day event, there will be a lottery offering prizes such as 10 round-trip flights to Japan and 15 JR East Japan Passes as a token of thanks to the Taiwanese public. The main stage area will be designed in the style of a Japanese cherry blossom festival, with food and drink booths along the cherry blossom avenue where visitors can experience the joy of springtime hanami.

 
Traditional Festival Performances: “Namahage Taiko” from the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture, “Sansa Dance” from Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture, and more
 
Food and Activity Experiences: Including Miyagi Prefecture’s famous dessert “Zunda Mochi,” Ibaraki Prefecture’s grilled rice crackers “Okaki,” Fukushima Prefecture’s strawberry desserts, Tochigi Prefecture’s chestnut desserts, various sake tastings and local produce from the six prefectures of Northeast Japan, as well as hands-on workshops in the Sukisuki Activity Zone, special zones for the six Northeast prefectures, and airline-themed areas. Each booth will feature interactive activities, and a point card system is also available. Collect points from designated booths to immediately join the lucky draw for round-trip flights — with 4,000 chances over three days, plenty of prizes, and high odds of winning.

Mustard seed dolls from Yamagata Prefecture (top), spring cherry blossoms in Northeast Japan (bottom left), and “Namahage Taiko” from Akita Prefecture (bottom right). (Photo provided by Japan Tohoku Travel Day)

Gratitude Experience Zone: Free hands-on experiences include making mustard seed dolls from Yamagata Prefecture and goldfish lanterns from Aomori Prefecture. The gratitude zone also displays how Taiwanese donation funds were used for construction and features a “Tanabata Wish Bamboo.”

 
On December 5 at 14:00, Taiwan’s 2015 Northeast Region Tourism Ambassador Michelle Ye, representing the Japan National Tourism Organization, will appear on the main stage to meet visitors.

Early Bird Raffle Tickets. The first 1,000 visitors each day are eligible to participate in the raffle. (Photo provided by Japan Tohoku Travel Day)

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