The cold weather in autumn and winter signals the coming of the hot spring season. To promote high-quality hot springs in Hsinchu County, the county government is holding the 2018 Hsinchu County Hot Spring Season. The four-month festival was inaugurated at New Tile House Hakka Cultural District on November 4 and officially kicked off after a splendid cheerleading performance presented by students from Chung Hua University. Chairman of Arima Hot Springs Tourism Association Kanai Hironobu and Chairman of Enbound, Inc. Hashimoto Ryu were both invited to the inauguration ceremony. Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Ching-chun hoped that people all over Taiwan could come enjoy the great hot springs, delicious food, and beautiful scenery in Neiwan, Jianshi, and Wufeng Township.
This year, the Hot Spring Festival integrates multiple elements including Hakka culture, indigenous culture, and anime. In cooperation with the Japanese company, Enbound, Hsinchu County Government has created its own “Onsen Musume,” a female cartoon character for the promotion of the Hot Spring Festival, as well as a cartoon Tourism Ambassador. With the slogan “Come visit my home, Hsinchu County,” the county government is looking forward to seeing domestic and foreign visitors enjoy the beautiful scenery, great food, and high-quality hot springs in Hsinchu County. To celebrate the inauguration of the Hot Spring Festival, the county government also held a cosplay contest with NT$100,000 in prize money for those who had a passion for anime. At the venue, visitors could even have free yukatas, traditional Hakka and indigenous clothes try-ons to experience a distinct hot spring culture. In addition, local snacks from Neiwan Old Street were served for free as well. Without going abroad, we could simply enjoy a plentiful hot spring tour here in Taiwan. During the entire inauguration event, professors and students from Chung Hua University Department of Applied Japanese served as interpreters for the guests from Japan, allowing them to feel the hospitality of Taiwanese people.
During the Hot Spring Festival, Jinpeng Beauty Hot Spring Resort, Riverain Spring Resort, Venice Hot Spring & Camping Resort, Hsinchu Asahi Hot Spring Resort all provide special offers. Over 20 restaurants also join in the special offer campaign to promote local cuisine. Moreover, visitors who pay a visit to designated hot spring resorts from November 4, 2018 to March 3, 2019 can get a stamp for a lucky draw. Those who collect all required stamps have a chance to bring home the iphone X, 50-inch LCD television, or hot spring vouchers.
In addition to the special offer campaign, Hsinchu County Government has also planned package tours around Wufeng Township for visitors. The tours were open for registration at 5 p.m. on November 4. For more information, please refer to the official website.