Takahashi City is located in the west-central part of Okayama Prefecture.
On October 13, 2024, foreign residents who had come from countries across Asia for work or study gathered at the Takahashi General Welfare Center in this historic city, also known as “Little Kyoto of Bitchu.”
Here we introduce “1Day Asia in Takahashi,” a special day for connecting with local people through dances and cuisine from participants’ home countries.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in November 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What Is “1Day Asia in Takahashi”?
Since Kibi International University opened in Takahashi City in 1990, many initiatives have been undertaken to revitalize the community.
“1Day Asia in Takahashi” was held as part of a multicultural coexistence project promoted by the Katsui Laboratory at Kibi International University. It was the first intercultural exchange event planned and run primarily by students.
Maria Kanetaka, a third-year student at Kibi International University who served as chair of the organizing committee, said, “We wanted to create a place where foreign residents and local citizens could interact.” In particular, she hoped to create opportunities for foreign residents to become part of the local community.
Planned with this goal in mind, “1Day Asia in Takahashi” brought Takahashi City residents and international students together to enjoy cultural diversity through dance, song, and food.
People Connecting Through the Flavors and Performances of Different Countries
“1Day Asia in Takahashi” opened in spectacular fashion to the lively rhythm of a Vietnamese bamboo dance: “Tan, tan, tan—tan, tan, tan.”
Visitors sampled the flavors of other countries, enjoying traditional dishes from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, and elsewhere.
The Sri Lankan curry was especially popular with visitors. Made with authentic spices, it was prepared by an international student with experience working as a chef in Sri Lanka.
Opportunities to sample home-style dishes from across Asia are very rare in Takahashi City, and visitors enjoyed the food to their hearts’ content, even as they waited in long lines.
Introducing the Cultures of Different Countries
The performances were another highlight of the event.
- Vietnamese martial arts
- Traditional dances from Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Indonesia
- Songs from China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Nepal
- Indonesian songs accompanied by a band
Performances showcasing the cultures of different countries followed one after another on stage.
A child joining in the dancing on stage was especially endearing and brought smiles to many in the audience.
But when the Nepalese dance began, the child suddenly stopped moving and said with a puzzled expression, “Mom, this dance is hard! I don’t have this rhythm in me. What should I do…?” The whole venue was filled with warm laughter.
I think scenes like these added to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere unique to intercultural exchange events.
To close the performances, vice-chair Ryosuke Nita performed the loach-catching dance from Yasugi City, based on the traditional culture of his home prefecture, Shimane.
He humorously danced to Yasugi-bushi, mimicking the act of scooping loaches from a rice paddy, and his expressive performance quickly energized the venue.
New Connections Between the Community and Foreign Residents
This event created new connections between the community and foreign residents, offering a warm setting where people could naturally appreciate the importance of multicultural coexistence.
Event chair Maria Kintaka spoke of her hopes for the future: “Through this event, I hope many foreign residents will be able to live comfortably and enjoy their lives in Takahashi City. We aim to hold it for a second and third time, and I want to continue building connections between foreign residents and local residents to revitalize the community.”
Japanese people and international students took photos together and enjoyed traditional costumes, filling the entire venue with smiles. The event truly became a place for exchange across borders, creating new connections in the local community.
From the Writer
The author has supported international exchange for many years.
I was particularly interested that the students took the lead in planning this event for the first time, and that so many visitors enjoyed it.
Students in the Ikatsu Laboratory appear to have prepared for the event while tackling numerous challenges, including communicating with international students from six countries and coordinating with related organizations. Their efforts paid off, and the event was a great success, welcoming more than 200 visitors on the day.
I hope to continue sharing the appeal of the region where I live from the perspective of a foreign resident.
１Day Asia in Takahashi event details
| Name | １Day Asia in Takahashi |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 13, 2024, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
| Location | 21-3 Mukomachi, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
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