Masahito Fujii, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Chamber of Commerce
Hokuryu Town Tourism Association 50th Anniversary
I would like to congratulate the Hokuryu Town Sunflower Tourism Association on their 50th anniversary and the publication of their commemorative magazine. I would like to express my respect and gratitude to the board of directors, members, government officials, and related organizations.
The Hokuryu Town Tourism Association was established in 1972, with Chamber of Commerce Chairman Yoshio Komatsu serving as its first chairman. Since then, the association has become a lively and vital part of the town through environmental beautification, tourism development, facility improvements, the construction of a new hiking trail to Sandan-no-taki Falls, and the holding of events.
The sunflowers have been gaining even more power since the creation of the Sunflower Village in 1989. The blue dragon and the white dragon, created by the Ryutopia Association the previous year, have been active in the village and at events ever since.
I had seen it on TV, but being overwhelmed by the dragon dance is one of my unforgettable memories. The village store, which started with three stores, was newly built in 1997 as a tourist center, and now many more stores have moved in, and it is bustling with tourists.
In 1999, the name was changed to Himawari Tourism Association, and it has assumed an even broader role as a driving force for revitalizing the region.
Our Chamber of Commerce has also worked to preserve the natural environment and landscape by releasing young fish into the river, holding events such as the Sunflower Festival Beer Party organized by the Chamber of Commerce Youth Division, setting up planters by the Chamber of Commerce Women's Division, and planting sunflowers at the Construction Industry Association's Sunflower IC.
We believe that the Hokuryu Town Sunflower Tourism Association will continue to further develop the local economy of Hokuryu Town through new challenges and creativity, and we at the Chamber of Commerce will continue to support them with all our might.
Finally, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for the continued growth of the Himawari Tourism Association and the prosperity of all those involved.
