Making visitors want to return
A graduate of the textile design program at Tama Art University, Aoki first visited Taiwan in 2001. The warmth and friendliness of the people convinced her to move to Taipei the following year. Although she still has a bit of a Japanese accent, she speaks fluent Chinese now, and her personal accounts of exploring Taiwan’s landscapes, night markets and gourmet food scene have engendered much longing among her Japanese readers.
Because of her recommendations, many Japanese travelers no longer eat standard hotel breakfasts but instead venture into Taiwan’s lanes and alleyways to eat traditional Taiwanese breakfast fare, such as sesame-coated cakes and deep-fried bread sticks, mushroom and meat congee, and rice balls made with black rice. “Now quite a few Japanese homes have adopted the Taiwanese norm of being equipped with two cookers: a modern electronic rice cooker for cooking rice, and an older-style Tatung rice cooker for steaming and stewing,” she says. “It all started with my introduction.”
When assisting some fellow Japanese who were putting on an exhibition in Taiwan, she got to know Takeshi Irei, an Okinawan who works in cultural exchange. The two fell in love and married. At their wedding in Taiwan, the anticipated 100-plus people grew to more than 300. They included many readers of hers whom she had never met before. “Even more remarkably, the restaurant owner, having never seen Japanese marry in Taiwan before, set up a table just outside the banquet room for guests of his own: curious relatives and friends.” It’s a perfect example of how Taiwan is so fun, quirky and loveable, says Aoki.
Though Taiwanese can go overboard sometimes with their friendliness and enthusiasm, “Whenever I’m in Japan or abroad and hear someone say ‘Taiwan,’ I inexplicably feel a sense of excitement akin to what I feel when I hear someone call out my name.” Taiwan’s beauty has given her unending material for her writings. If you want to experience warm hospitality as you travel off the beaten path, then follow the advice that Aoki offers readers in each of her books: “Be sure to visit Taiwan!”
Old women who tend stalls at traditional markets are happy to offer advice about what local sights to see.
Foreign visitors often remark on the warmth and friendliness of the Taiwanese people.
Foreign visitors often remark on the warmth and friendliness of the Taiwanese people.
Cycling in Taroko National Park is a form of “specialty tourism” that has found favor with foreign visitors.