Tsuchiura, Japan

Set on the shores of the Lake Kasumigaura in eastern Japan, Tsuchiura is about one hour by train from Tokyo. The city is well known for its dramatic lakeside setting, 17th-century Tsuchiura Castle, annual Kasumigaura Marathon and International Blind Marathon, and the All- Japan Fireworks Competition.

Palo Alto and Tsuchiura have been Sister Cities since 2009, but the close relationship between the cities dates back to 1993 when parents on each side of the Pacific started the middle school student exchange program that endures today. The exchange program has seen approximately 250 Japanese students and chaperones visit Palo Alto and about 200 Palo Alto students and chaperones visit Japan. For additional information about this flagship exchange program, please click here.

In October 2024, the cities celebrated the 15th anniversary of the relationship when Tsuchiura’s Mayor Mariko Ando visited Palo Alto with members of her staff. For more about the visit, including photos memorializing the occasion, click here.

When Neighbors Abroad celebrated its 60th anniversary in October 2023, which included the sustainability-focused SustainCity Summit in partnership with the City of Palo Alto, Tsuchiura sent delegates Yuko Fujita, Keiko Ando and Atsuko Utsugi, who represented the non-profit organization Tsuchiura International Association. The delegates visited Palo Alto middle schools, participated in a panel discussion at the SustainCity Summit together with Tsuchiura’s Fire Chief, Yasuaki Hiyama, and toured Palo Alto, Stanford University and tourist sites in the greater Bay Area.

To mark the occasion, recently re-elected Mayor Ando sent a congratulatory message to Neighbors Abroad that can be viewed below.

Tree planting in honor of the 15th anniversary of the Sister City relationship, October 2024, JLS Middle School

Tsuchiura, Japan

Tsuchiura, Japan

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