"2026 Kaohsiung Ice Festival" Kicks Off with a Chill! Mayor Chen Teams Up with Japan's Mega-Eater Angela Sato to Launch Summer Ice Extravaganza

Amid scorching summer heat, Kaohsiung's annual summer ice celebration, "2026 Kaohsiung Ice Festival," kicked off energetically this afternoon at the "Xinbin Station Front" Plaza in Hamasen. The event's first day attracted a large crowd of locals and tourists, with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and Legislator Lai Jui-long joining forces with Japan's renowned competitive eater "Angela Sato" and Japanese YouTuber "Teacher Iku," who resides in Taiwan, to officially launch the festivities.

The opening ceremony featured a "Special Kaohsiung Large-Bowl Ice" made from eight signature agricultural products from Kaohsiung: red beans from Daliao, taro from Jiaxian, roses from Shanlin, Jinhuang mangoes from Liugui, bananas from Qishan, guavas from Yanchao, pineapples from Dashu, and dragon fruit from Qiaotou, all enhanced with honey from Gangshan. This creation showcased the city's unique harbor-side summer flavors and marked the official start of the two-day ice festival.

This year's event brings together nearly 50 popular ice and must-queue food brands from Kaohsiung, Taichung, Pingtung, and Lienchiang County, inviting visitors to indulge in ice treats and explore Hamasen, experiencing Kaohsiung's most refreshing summer charm.

Mayor Chen emphasized, "Only in Kaohsiung can you boldly enjoy ice treats all year round!" He highlighted Kaohsiung's sunshine, harbor, and rich food culture, noting that the "Kaohsiung Ice Festival" is a key event showcasing the city's vitality and tourism appeal. In recent years, Kaohsiung has successfully transformed, with the completion of the circular light rail, the development of the Asia New Bay area, and continuous improvements to harbor landscapes, evolving into a city that combines high quality of life with strong tourism appeal.

The recently renovated Qijin Ferry Terminal, with its retro and Japanese-style design, has quickly become a popular photo spot. Hamasen, facing Qijin across the water, serves as a vital gateway to harbor tourism. Mayor Chen invited visitors to come to the festival with one mission: "Let loose and enjoy ice to your heart's content!" After eating ice, he suggested taking the ferry to Qijin to enjoy the sea breeze, creating the perfect refreshing mini-trip in the harbor city.

The opening was also attended by Legislators Lai Jui-long and Chiu I-ying, as well as City Councilors Chang Po-yang and Tang Yung-yu, who joined the crowd in celebrating the launch of the "2026 Kaohsiung Ice Festival."

Director Kao Min-lin of the Tourism Bureau explained that Hamasen was chosen again this year because, since the Japanese colonial era, its port transport and fishing industries fueled a thriving ice-making industry, making it a crucial birthplace of Kaohsiung's ice culture. Hosting the ice festival in this century-old district not only pays tribute to Hamasen's ice-making heritage but also sparks new tourism appeal by blending historical spaces with creative ice treats. The Tourism Bureau continues to integrate local specialty ingredients, unique shops, and cultural resources to create tourism experiences rich in "Kaohsiung sensibility" and urban character, attracting visitors to explore the Gushan district and harbor scenery, boosting local tourism and consumption.

After the opening, Angela Sato and Teacher Iku, accompanied by Director Kao Min-lin, visited market stalls, sampling specialty ice treats such as organic rose soft serve from "Shan Heng Yi Shu Shanlin Research Institute" in Shanlin, chocolate banana shaved ice from "Taiwan Youth Banana Creative Workshop," and premium tender grass jelly ice from "Black Room Ice." They enthusiastically recommended Kaohsiung's local cuisine and Hamasen's tourism charm to visitors, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere. Angela Sato praised the ice treats, saying they were not only delicious but also fully showcased local agricultural products and creative ingenuity, leaving a deep impression.

The Tourism Bureau added that this year's event integrates the concert economy and digital interactive experiences. Coinciding with the Korean pop sensation EXO's concert in Kaohsiung, fans can exchange their concert tickets at the service desk for a limited 50 NT dollar "Gift Ice Voucher," which can be combined with night market and business district discount coupons, encouraging concertgoers to explore Hamasen and Qijin.

On-site activities include a "Kaohsiung Digital Citizen" popular ice treat voting campaign and a digital quest via the "Kaohsiung GO!" app offering gifts, enhancing visitor engagement and enjoyment.

The second day of the event (July 19) coincides with "International Ice Cream Day." The Tourism Bureau invites the public to seize this opportunity to join the global celebration of ice cream joy at Hamasen, savoring creative and delicious offerings from nearly 50 specialty ice brands, indulging in ice treats, and strolling along the harbor to experience Kaohsiung's unique summer charm.

The public is encouraged to take the MRT to Kaohsiung's Hamasen Station for an easy and refreshing mini-trip combining food, historic districts, and harbor scenery. The latest event information can be found on the official "Kaohsiung Travel Website," Facebook fan page, Instagram, and by downloading the "Kaohsiung GO!" app.