By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, July 21 — The 48th Bon Odori, celebrated here as part of Japan’s summer festivities, received an overwhelming response from over 40,000 visitors.
Visitors, including locals, began flocking to the Shah Alam (Panasonic) Sports Complex as early as 4pm, dressed in traditional Japanese attire such as kimono, yukata, and hakama.
Food stalls offering various Japanese dishes such as sushi, grilled meat, ramen noodles, and gyoza, were a huge hit.
At 7pm, the annual festival commenced with the beating of drums, accompanied by traditional Japanese songs.
[caption id="attachment_364795" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim tours stalls at the 48th Bon Odori, held at the Shah Alam (Panasonic) Sports Complex, on July 20, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said the event not only drew local residents, but also foreign tourists, especially from Japan and South Korea.
Ng said the annual festival serves as a platform to promote the state in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2025.
“We believe Bon Odori plays a significant role in attracting tourists. This will help us achieve our goal of drawing eight million tourists next year.
“We are using every opportunity and platform available to us in this endeavour. Additionally, the event showcases the state’s openness in celebrating cultural diversity,” he said at a press conference held here yesterday.
Earlier, Ng, accompanied by Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Azrul Shah Mohamad, mingled with visitors and toured the food stalls.
The Bon Odori, having been held for nearly half a century here, aims to promote and strengthen the friendship between Malaysia and Japan.
On June 8, 2022, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj said the cultural festival helps foster goodwill with the Japanese community.
