The 2025 Taiwan-Japan Fruit Festival concluded successfully on the evening of July 27 at the Sea Breeze Plaza of the Kaohsiung Music Center, drawing a record-breaking crowd of more than 110,000 visitors over two days. The turnout surpassed last year’s number. Chang Yen-Ching, Director-General of the Department of Administrative and International Affairs of Kaohsiung City Government, stated that this is the second consecutive year the fruit festival was held in Kaohsiung. Building on the overwhelmingly positive reviews of its inaugural edition, this year’s event introduced an even more diverse and vibrant program. In addition to showcasing popular Japanese produce, the festival also welcomed farmers from across Taiwan and Kaohsiung, youth-run stalls supported by the Youth Bureau, and participation from Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages. Moreover, sixteen performing groups from both sides of Taiwan and Japan took the stage, while nine Japanese cities having close interactions with Kaohsiung joined the festivities. Fresh fruits, fruity drinks, ice desserts, delectable dishes and specialty goods from Japan, Taiwan, and Kaohsiung were enthusiastically received by both local and Japanese visitors. The festival also saw a notable increase in participation from Japanese residents in Taiwan, reinforcing its role as a premier platform for promoting high-quality agricultural products and fostering Taiwan-Japan friendship.
The fruit market was bustling throughout the event, with nearly 100 booths offering a fusion of specialty products including Taiwanese and Japanese fresh fruits, creative desserts, icy treats, and beverages. Hot-selling items such as Kaohsiung mangoes, guava juice from local farmers, Japanese peaches and Muscat grapes drew long lines of customers. Three themed challenge games featuring fruit knowledge designed for families with children added an educational and entertaining element, filling the venue with laughter and excitement.
The star-studded program further energized the crowd. Kaohsiung-based bands “Just Listen” and “Shallow Levée” opened and closed the second day’s program respectively. Adorable mascots, “Stationmaster Mikan” of Kaohsiung Metro and “Shimanekko” cat from Shimane Prefecture, Japan, charmed the crowd with their irresistibly cute dance, prompting numerous photo opportunities. Japanese celebrity chef MASA (Masaru Yamashita), known for his million-subscriber YouTube channel, presented desserts incorporating Kaohsiung’s Cishan bananas and Wakayama peaches during a live cooking show. Long queues formed as fans eagerly sampled the fruit-based desserts. Equally popular was the Japanese Youtuber Mana, known as “Kaohsiung’s Daughter-in-Law,” engaging the audience of all ages with a lively fruit-themed prize quiz.
“I love Kaohsiung!” shouted the Kumamoto Castle Samurai Welcome Troupe (Kumamoto-jo Omotenashi Bushotai). The troupe delivered powerful demonstrations of Kyushu martial arts and warrior spirit, receiving rousing applause from the crowd over the two-day festival. Making their Taiwan debut, dancers from Mutsu City of Aomori Prefecture performed the regionally distinctive “Oshimako Dance,” encouraging spectators to join the moves and experience the festive summer atmosphere and the joy of cross-cultural exchange.
As the two-day celebration concluded on a high note, Director-General Chang extended her heartfelt thanks to the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association for co-hosting the event, and acknowledged the strong support from the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Association of Chinese Culture. The success was made possible by cross-departmental collaboration involving the Department of Administrative and International Affairs, the Agriculture Bureau, and the Youth Bureau, bringing together Kaohsiung farmers and youth entrepreneurs to this annual celebration. The Taiwan-Japan Fruit Festival continues to showcase Kaohsiung’s charm and hospitality both locally and internationally, further strengthening the friendship between Taiwan and Japan.