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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019 WWW.SCMP.COM ¢ SPECIAL REPORT ¢ INSIDE: 11-PAGE SPONSORED SECTION IN COOPERATION WITH DISCOVERY REPORTS JAPAN BUSINESS REPORT TOURISM DANCE FESTIVALS ARE A HIT WITH TOURISTS Shikoku has several traditional The dance is believed to have a festivals, but none is as renowned history of over 400 years, but its as the Awa Dance (Awa Odori) origins are relatively unknown. Festival in Tokushima city which One suggestion is that the dance attracts some 1.3 million tourists originated from the celebration of each year from all over Japan and the opening of Tokushima Castle in THE BEAUTY OF NATURE overseas. The largest such event in 1587, when the Lord of Hachisuka the country is held in the summer offered rice wine to the locals who as part of the Obon festival, a got drunk and danced freely to Buddhist custom to honour the celebrate. Shikoku, the country’s smallest island, has a great deal to offer – from picturesque spirits of one’s ancestors. This Another suggestion is that the year’s event takes place from dance, which is performed by scenery to a beautiful shrine, hot springs and a dance museum, writes Keith Chan August 12 to 15. different groups, was influenced Awa dance is one of Japan’s by the Furyu dance hosted by Sogo representative traditional Nagayasu (or Masayasu) at the performances practised in Shozui Castle in 1578. The smallest of the four main Tokushima and elsewhere in the There is also another theory islands that make up Japan, country. Also known as “drunken that the dance is actually a local Shikoku is less visited compared dance” or “the fool’s dance”, it is variety of Bon Odori (a dance by to other parts of the country characterised by the rather the Buddhists) performed despite its mild climate, natural unusual movements of the throughout Japan in summer scenery, historical places and dancers, who stumble back and during the Obon festival. traditional festivals. Literally forth on their toes, accompanied Today, the Awa Dance Festival meaning “four countries”, by loud music played on common in Tokushima is a mega event held Shikoku comprises Tokushima, Japanese musical instruments at locations throughout the city. Kagawa, Ehime and Kochi such as the taiko drum, shamisen Groups of dancers, wearing prefectures. lute, shinobue flute and kane bell. costumes, chant and sing as they Once considered a remote The dancers usually bend their parade through the streets in destination, Shikoku is now knees and keep their bodies low. designated areas and on stages easily accessible with the There are women’s dance (with spectator stands either free connection of three highway (onna odori) and men’s dance or paid). Food and game stands bridges across the Seto Inland (otoko odori). In women’s dance, are also available. Sea to Honshu (Japan’s main the dancers wave their hands For some large stages, tickets island). From Hong Kong, Hong above their heads at all times, can be bought in advance at Kong Express has direct flights to while the men’s dance is convenience stores nationwide, or Takamatsu in Kagawa, and characterised by lively and at the tourist information centre Cathay Dragon has just dynamic movements. near Tokushima’s railway station launched a scheduled service Awa dance is performed by on the day of the performance. until March. groups of dancers and musicians Those who cannot make the The estimated number of called ren. Different groups have trip to Tokushima during the international travellers to Japan different coloured costumes and festival can watch the dance at the by mid-December 2018 had flags. Women wear robes called city’s Awa Dance Museum (Awa exceeded 30 million visitors for yukata, while men wear a short Odori Kaikan) throughout the the first time, according to Japan yukata, called happi, over their year. There are performances National Tourism Organization. trousers. There are both several times a day by a While Shikoku is often professional and amateur groups professional dance group, and overlooked as a tourist formed by office workers and guests also have the opportunity destination, it has some of students. to join the dancing. Japan’s most renowned attractions – such as the Naruto whirlpools in Tokushima, one of the largest in the world; Konpira Crossing any of the few remaining suspended vine bridges in the Iya Valley has become a breathtaking experience for visitors. Photos: Alamy (or Kompira) Shrine in Kagawa, a place many Japanese wish to visit at least once in their lifetime; Kagawa are good starting points Tokushima is a coastal city with of the museum is a ropeway breathtaking experience for and Dogo hot spring in Ehime, as the two neighbouring plenty of 3- to 4-star hotels and leading to the summit of Mount visitors. one of the oldest in the country. prefectures boast many of restaurants. A key attraction is Bizan, which offers panoramic At the entrance of the Iya With an area of 18,800 square Shikoku’s attractions and can be the Awa Dance Museum (Awa views of the city. Another Valley is the Oboke Gorge, which kilometres, Shikoku is too big to reached easily by bus from Odori Kaikan), where the attraction is Tokushima Central is known as the Koboke Gorge be covered in a single trip. For Osaka’s airport and city centre in renowned traditional dance of Park which was built around the 3km downstream. These are visitors who have only a few days less than three hours. The capital Tokushima is performed ruins of Tokushima Castle. The narrow, steep-sided gorges with to spare, Tokushima and of Tokushima prefecture, throughout the year. On the top city is also the gateway to the emerald green water and world-famous Naruto swirling rapids. Visitors can join whirlpools about 40 minutes by a cruise on a sightseeing boat or bus from the centre. The Naruto take part in activities such as Strait produces whirlpools of up canyoning and white water to 20 metres in diameter, some of rafting. For those who are the largest in the world. looking for a place to relax, there Visitors can watch the are several hot spring resorts whirlpools from the glass panel with stunning views of the valley. on the Great Naruto Bridge Kagawa, the smallest Awa dancers show off their skills during the festival. across the strait. Those who want prefecture in Japan, has few more excitement can join one of attractions but is known for its the sightseeing boats which pass Konpira Shrine in Kotohira, above the whirlpools. about an hour by train from the landscaped hills. There is also a is known for its beautiful natural For hikers and nature lovers, capital city of Takamatsu. The teahouse within the pretty scenery, including the “Angel the Iya Valley and the Oboke and “God of the Sea” has been landscape. Road”, a sandbar which appears Koboke gorges deep in the worshipped by the Japanese Takamatsu is also the at low tide. mountains of western since ancient times. Located on a gateway to several outlying Both islands can be reached Tokushima are the places to go. hill, the shrine is also known for islands popular among tourists. in an hour by ferry from the port Iya Valley is known for its hot its long staircase of 1,368 steps, Naoshima is known as an art of Takamatsu. A visit to Shikoku springs and outdoor activities. It making the visit particularly island with a number of art is incomplete without sampling is home to the country’s few challenging. installations and two art its famous food, such as Sanuki remaining vine bridges built in Back in Takamatsu, the key museums designed by architect (a place in Kagawa) udon ancient times by locals for daily attraction is the Ritsurin Garden Tadao Ando. It is also a place for noodles, Tokushima ramen, commuting. completed in 1745. It is one of swimming and fishing in the Awa-odori chicken, Honetsuki- Today, crossing a suspended the most historical gardens in summer. dori chicken, and Katsuo no Konpira Shrine, known as the ‘God of the Sea’, has been worshipped by the Japanese since ancient times. vine bridge has become a Japan, with six ponds and 13 Another island, Shodoshima, Tataki bonito fish. TRADE Fostering stronger ties a key objective Lee Hill-choi between Japan and Hong Kong the Census and Statistics her speech at a forum in Japan reached HK$381.8 billion, TID Department in its external last November on financial reveals, which was an increase of merchandise trade statistics cooperation between the Japan ranks third as the world’s 5.1 per cent on 2016. Exports released earlier this week Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau largest economy with a service from Hong Kong to Japan showed that compared to a year Greater Bay Area and Japanese sector that contributes to about reached HK$995 million. earlier, December 2018 Hong enterprises. 70 per cent of its GDP. The Land Products included Kong exports to Japan fell by 3.6 In Japan, the Ministry of of the Rising Sun was Hong metalliferous ores and scrap per cent. Economy, Trade and Industry Kong’s fourth largest trading metal, jewellery, gold and Nevertheless, this does not (METI) and the Japan External partner in 2017, according to silversmith ware as well as edible change Japan’s substantial Trade Organization (JETRO) are Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry products; whereas imports from involvement in Hong Kong’s tasked with advising foreign Department (TID). Not bad Japan totalled over economy, with many Japanese companies on investing in considering it was not until 2010 HK$253 billion, including companies setting up regional Japan.