Gangwon-Totori Prefecture 30-year friendship... "The sky path, the sea path, and the heart path have opened."

[Anchor]
I have a friend who has been showing off friendship between local governments for decades.

It is the story of Tottori Prefecture, the smallest in Gangwon-do and Japan.

The relationship that began 200 years ago led to a sisterhood relationship, and the sea route was opened following the sky road, and it is expanding into culture, tourism, and exchanges between residents.

Reporter Hong Sung-wook covered it.

[Reporter]
a magic show in Japan

Gangwon-do Governor Kim Jin-tae has turned into a magician.

The audience cheers with the clumsy but serious appearance, and the governor of Hirai, Tottori Prefecture, responds with a traditional dance.

Our dance company's traditional performances focus the audience's attention.

The event was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sisterhood between Gangwon Province and Tottori Prefecture in Japan.The two governors

welcomed each other in each other's language, which they took the time to study.

[Shinji Hirai / Governor of Tottori Prefecture, Japan: It is an honor to meet you here in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture]

[Kim Jin-tae / Governor of Gangwon-do: There are three roads (between Gangwon-do and Tottori Prefecture). It is the sea road, the sky road, and the most important path of the heart.]

The beginning of the relationship goes back more than 200 years ago.

Twelve fishermen from Gangwon-do Province drifted and reached Tottori Prefecture in Japan to save their lives, and the relationship that began when they left a thank-you note after being treated with extreme care led to a sisterhood relationship.

It is expanding not only to exchanges with local governments, but also to exchanges between college students and residents.

The sea route, which was cut off by COVID-19, has also reopened.

The international ferry crossing between Donghae Port in Gangwon Province and Sakaiminato Port in Tottori Prefecture has begun sailing, attracting tourists.

The most famous tourist attraction is the Tottori Coastal Dune, which was born over hundreds of thousands of years.

Tottori Prefecture has as many outstanding tourism resources as Gangwon Province. In particular, this Japan's largest coastal dune offers a scenic view that should not be missed.

Beyond the shrouded sand dunes, the blue sea overflows, and admiration for the masterpieces created by the wind and waves comes out.

[Kim Jin-tae / Governor of Gangwon-do: We hope that as many tourists from Gangwon-do and Korea interact with each other, logistics, tourism, and economic exchanges will expand further.]

Ahead of the Gangwon Visit Year, which begins next year, 144 tourism councils in Tottori Prefecture promised to actively visit Gangwon-do.

Gangwon Province and Tottori Prefecture, which confirmed a 30-year unchanging friendship.

Now, we are expanding our exchanges to the fields of college students and residents, culture and tourism.

I am YTN Hong Sung Wook in Tottori Prefecture, Japan.

Photographer: Sung Do-hyun