4 days ago
Spreading joy through Bon Odori
Lively taiko (drum) performances are an important part of Bon Odori. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
Some 50,000 visitors thronged the 49th Bon Odori Festival, which was held for the first time in Bandar Sunway, Selangor.
'In Malaysia, the Bon Odori Festival started in 1977 and has grown into an annual occasion which is one of the largest Japanese cultural events here, and possibly one of the largest Bon Odori festivals outside Japan,' said Sunway Malls chief executive officer HC Chan at a press conference.
Performers encouraging visitors to get into the Bon Odori spirit.
'Bon Odori is a popular summer festival in Japan involving dancing and music.'
Bon Odori took place at the open carpark area opposite Sunway Resort Hotel.
Also present were Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim and Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki.
Crowds thronging the venue which had some 150 vendors selling Japanese as well as local food and other goods.
Ng said the Bon Odori festival could forge connections between communities across borders by bringing together Malaysians, Japanese expatriates, tourists, students and families.
'A total of 110,018 Japanese tourists visited Selangor in 2023 and the number increased to 132,526 last year.
'This growth not only shows the strong bilateral relationship between Selangor and Japan, but it is also a sign that Selangor is one of the favourite destinations of Japanese tourists,' Ng said.
(From left) Ng, Noriyuki and Chan launching the 49th Bon Odori Festival at Bandar Sunway in Selangor.
Among the highlights at the festival was 150 booths selling Japanese and local street food, and performances.
Noriyuki said the festival was a very special occasion for Japanese people.
He said he had noticed a growing interest in Japanese culture among Malaysians.
'The same goes for Japanese people's interest in Malaysia.
Visitors dressed for the occasion in colourful yukata.
'The Malaysian pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is very popular,' he said.
The festival was jointly organised by Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, Japanese Embassy in Malaysia, Sunway Group and Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur.
