CITY CULTUAL EXCHANGES

Renton city, Washington state, USA

Nishiwaki has a long-standing sister-city relationship with the City of Renton in Washington State. The sister-city status was established on July 11,1969.

Every August, a delegation of junior high school students from Nishiwaki visits Renton.

Then, in October, a delegation of junior high school students from Renton visits Nishiwaki and takes part in the Aki Matsuri (Autumn Festival).

This exchange program is very popular amongst the students of Nishiwaki and has been the starting point for quite a number of long lasting friendships between the people of Nishiwaki and Renton.

Furano City, Hokkaido, Japan

In 1978, Nishiwaki established a special city-to-city relationship with Furano City in Hokkaido.

Furano, which is famous for its lavender gardens, is located at the center of Hokkaido and is known as "Hokkaido-no-Heso" (Hokkaido's Belly-button).

Nishiwaki being "Nihon-no-heso", Japan's Belly-button) the two cities formed a city to city relationship with Furano.