Latest news with #SunwayCity
Free Malaysia Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Bon Odori draws 50,000 in festival's debut outside Shah Alam
Annual Japanese festival Bon Odori, held for the first time in Sunway City instead of Shah Alam, attracted 50,000 people from all walks of life. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : The 49th Bon Odori Festival drew a record-breaking crowd of over 50,000 visitors at Sunway City Kuala Lumpur on July 12-13, the first time the Japanese summer celebration was held outside Shah Alam in nearly five decades. Previously held at the Panasonic Stadium in Shah Alam, the strategic move to Sunway City was to broaden the event's outreach under the 'Surprising Selangor' campaign in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2025. 'Bon Odori is more than a festival. It's a reflection of the deep ties between Malaysia and Japan,' said Sunway Mall's chief executive officer HC Chan, who expressed hope that the two-day format would continue well into the future. Co-organised by the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur (JCKL), the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur and the Japanese embassy, with support from Tourism Selangor, the festival featured over 100 stalls, musical performances and crowd-led traditional dances. Selangor executive councillor for local government and tourism Ng Suee Lim (left) with Japan's ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata during the Bon Odori festival over the weekend. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle pic) Japan's ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said preparations for the expanded format took more than half a year, involving close coordination with local authorities and cultural partners. Bon Odori, a summer festival rooted in Japanese Buddhist tradition, has evolved into a massive cultural celebration across Malaysia since its inception here in 1977. Originally held so Japanese expatriates could pass on their heritage to their children, the event now attracts a multi-ethnic crowd eager to immerse in food, music and dance. 'Tonight is not just a celebration of dance or food, it is a bridge between our communities,' said Selangor executive councillor for local government and tourism Ng Suee Lim at the launch. He praised Sunway's involvement in elevating the festival into a tourism highlight, noting a sharp rise in Japanese tourist arrivals to the state — from 110,018 in 2023 to 132,526 in 2024, an increase of 20.5%. Year 9 students of the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur opened the Bon Odori festival with a stirring Taiko drum and dance performance. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) Students from the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur opened the festival with a spirited Taiko performance before leading the Bon Odori dance from the central Yagura platform, a symbolic act to invite the crowd to join in. Year 9 student Aika Sato, who performed on July 12 with a group of 18 Taiko drummers and 15 dancers, said they trained daily for a month to master three sets of traditional routines. 'We practised after lunch and during our breaks every day. It's our way of sharing Japan's traditional dances,' she said. 'It's a bit different here compared with Japan, where the festivals are bigger and usually end with fireworks. Whether in Japan or here, it's all about sharing and coming together,' she added. Year 9 student Aika Sato of the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur says Bon Odori is all about sharing and coming together as one community. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle pic) Sunday featured a different lineup with Year 7 and Year 8 students leading the performance, including 58 dancers and 12 drummers. Chan said the Bon Odori event reflected Sunway's broader collaboration with Japan through education and business, including joint ventures in IT, clean energy and university exchanges. 'Through events like this, we are not just building townships, we are nurturing cross-cultural communities,' he said. Festivalgoers indulged in everything from mouthwatering yakitori to takoyaki and ramune soda. Food stalls were curated by Pingmin Market and included Muslim- and non-Muslim-friendly offerings, in line with the festival's inclusive ethos. Admission to the festival was free, and crowd control was managed with assistance from the police, the Subang Jaya City Council and medical volunteers. Visitors to the Bon Odori event look on as 18 Taiko drummers and 15 dancers from the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur perform. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) JCKL president Dai Hoshiai described the event as a symbol of cross-cultural harmony. 'It started small, but has now become one of the largest Bon Odori festivals outside of Japan,' he said. For many, the festival offered more than entertainment – it was a bridge between cultures. 'We want people to experience our dance, food and games, and understand Japanese traditions,' Sato said. 'That's what Bon Odori means to me.'
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Bon Odori 2025 comes to Sunway City
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — If you've always been curious about the annual Bon Odori festival, you can check it out at Sunway City this weekend on July 12 and 13. 2025 marks the 49th Bon Odori celebration and it is being co-organised by Sunway City Kuala Lumpur with The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur (JCKL), The Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur, and the Embassy of Japan. Sunway in a statement said that the collaboration was' honouring Japanese traditions while fostering cross-cultural appreciation and marking a symbol of the enduring friendship between Japan and Malaysia.' The festival will be held at the open-air car park besides Sunway Resort and admission is free. Expect over 100 booths with Japanese street food and snacks as well as knick-knacks and crafts. For Muslim festivalgoers there will also be food to cater to them as well as non-Muslims. Look forward to a rousing taiko drum performance as well as the iconic Bon Odori dance. The festival will run from 4pm to 11pm on both days and for those taking AirAsiaRide, there is a special promo code for the event: BONODORI25
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All-you-can-eat durian buffet at Sunway City JB's 1st-ever Durian Carnival — free entry & S$8 return bus from SG
The durian season has once again graced Malaysia, and with it comes a celebration that's set to turn heads (and a few noses). From 31 Jul to 3 Aug 2025, Durian Carnival will roll into Sunway City Iskandar Puteri — just a 5-minute drive from the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link. For RM98 per person, visitors can indulge in a durian buffet, taking their time to sample and savour the diverse textures and flavours under thoughtfully ventilated canopies designed to keep things comfortable. Admission to the carnival itself is free of charge! This fruity affair will spotlight some of the most sought-after varieties in the region like Musang King, Black Thorn, and Red Prawn. All are sourced directly from one of Johor's largest durian orchards. But the event doesn't stop at just durian tasting. There'll be a lush spread of durian-inspired food, drinks, adorable merchandise and plenty of picture-perfect spots dotted throughout the venue for your social media updates. Family-friendly fun is also in store, with activities like a durian-eating contest, a 'Guess the Number of Durians' challenge where the winner takes home a whole basket of durians, and even a hands-on durian soap-making workshop. Those who find themselves doing a bit of shopping at the carnival or at Sunway Big Box Retail Park may walk away with more than just durian breath. With a minimum spend of RM688, guests will be eligible to collect a limited-edition Durian Family plush toy that doubles as a reusable bag. Spending RM388 unlocks a chance to participate in a lucky draw that offers prizes like a 3D2N stay at Sunway Hotel Big Box, activity vouchers for XPark, retail goodies, and more. International guests holding non-Malaysian passports can also look forward to a special surprise. Simply present your passport to redeem a tourist pack filled with retail vouchers. And for those making the journey from across the Causeway, a two-way shuttle service from Singapore will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at just S$8. Click this link to secure your spot now! 19-day Food Fiesta offers pistachio shio pans, Kaohsiung oden, lempeh otah & Dona Manis banana pie The post All-you-can-eat durian buffet at Sunway City JB's 1st-ever Durian Carnival — free entry & S$8 return bus from SG appeared first on
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sunway Square Mall opens this Sep with 24-hour library + over 150 stores — BookXcess, KKV & more
Amid the ever-growing sea of retail hubs, high-rise condos, and concrete developments that seem to edge out every last patch of green in the city, one developer isn't slowing down anytime soon. Come Sep 2025, Sunway Malls is set to open Sunway Square Mall in Petaling Jaya, making it the 10th in their collection. Credit – Sunway Group Part of the broader Sunway Square development, the mall overlooks the calm waters of Sunway South Quay Lake and sits just a 12-minute walk from Sunway Pyramid — all within the ever-evolving ecosystem of Sunway City. But unlike its older siblings, this one feels a little bit different. Designed with the city's current generation of urban dwellers in mind, Sunway Square Mall blends spaces for community, creativity, and connection. According to Sunway Malls CEO HC Chan, it aims to be 'a trendy social hub,' reflecting the way urban life continues to shift — where leisure, food, and culture now share the spotlight with shopping. So, what does that actually mean? In short: if you're looking for a cosy, air-conditioned spot to lepak with friends over a great cup of coffee and yummy food, explore creative corners, or try out a new sport — this place has your name written all over it. The mall itself will naturally host a mix of offerings, including twin commercial towers, a 1.2K-seat performing arts centre, and a 24-hour library — which is probably the most exciting part of the news. Credit – TGV Cinemas | Credit – KKV Among the 150+ tenants, you'll find names like Village Grocer, BUMP Bouldering, TGV Cinemas, The Library by BookXcess, KKV, GoFit, and Tutu Toe Dance Academy. Plus, with 3K parking bays, finding one during your trip won't be a headache — especially on the weekends. So, what's your verdict? Is this a bold move in a saturated market — or a much-needed unique addition? Will you be dropping by? The post Sunway Square Mall opens this Sep with 24-hour library + over 150 stores — BookXcess, KKV & more appeared first on
