MANITOWOC & KAMOGAWA SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP

International Sister-City Marriage Announcement !!! (pdf)
Local artist, Tom Tittl, member of the 2004 WI-Chiba Goodwill Cultural Delegation, enjoys his experience in Japan.

2004 Student Summer Exchange Program, 6 students from Kamogawa enjoy Manitowoc with their host brothers and sisters!

Since 1993, when a sister-city agreement was signed (history of sister-city agreement - pdf document), Manitowoc and Kamogawa (located in Chiba), Japan have shared a healthy, active and very positive Sister-City relationship. Located on the Pacific coast of Japan's eastern shore north of Tokyo, Kamogawa boasts a rich maritime heritage similar to that of Manitowoc.


Every year Kamogawa and Manitowoc participate in a multitude of exchanges including cultural, educational and civil. Each summer, students from each city participate in a grassroots homestay exchange. Not only an invaluable learning experience for the students, all who participate are touched and have memories to treasure for a lifetime.




This page showcases some of the precious moments from the Kamogawa student group's arrival on July 20, 2000. Also included is a shot of Mayor Crawford and the 6 students in the Council Chambers at the old City Hall.

To receive a copy of the MIRA (Manitowoc International Relations Association) newsletter "MIRA Messenger" please e-mail name and address to Tsalzman@manitowoc.org.

2001 was a particularly vibrant year in the sister-city relationship. In addition to the summer student exchange, a talented musical family from Manitowoc, the Neustadters, traveled to Kamogawa and performed at Seafesta, Waku Waku Kenminkan (equivalent to the State Fair) and other local venues. Then the Kamogawa Junior Choir, comprised of voices from ages 8-18, traveled to Manitowoc and shared their special gift of song. The City of Manitowoc was pleased to welcome Mayor Toshio Honda and a civil servants delegation to Manitowoc for the dedication of the City of Manitowoc's new City Hall. The City of Kamogawa presented the City of Manitowoc with a "maiwai tairyoki" that now decorates city hall's main foyer.


In keeping with their plans to "cover the City of Manitowoc with cherry blossoms," Mayor Honda & delegation planted 7 cherry trees along the riverfront outside Manitowoc's City Hall. A previous delegation from Kamogawa planted 8 cherry trees at Manitowoc's Rahr-West Art Museum and a batch of trees outside the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc. The September 2001 citizen delegation from Manitowoc to Kamogawa planted sugar maples, Wisconsin's State tree, in Kamogawa. Mayor Honda & the City Kamogawa and Mayor Crawford and the City Manitowoc were awarded the Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Long Term Partnership Awards for their efforts.

PHOTOS FROM THE SEPTEMBER, 2001 CITIZENS EXCHANGE TRIP

Mayor Crawford & Mayor Honda in Kamogawa, Sept. 2001.

 While in Kamogawa, the Manitowoc delegation had the opportunity to harvest rice.

 

Mayor Crawford with Mrs. Honda (holding sushi) and other local ladies.



Part of the traditional festivities included a demon ... pictured here tormenting Mayor Honda.

   The most important facet of the sister-city exchanges are the bonds it creates, the lasting friendships and feelings of camaraderie.