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Tsuchiura, Japan

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

Other Links

Tsuchiura Wikipedia Page
Japan Visitor: Tsuchiura
Trip Advisor: Best Things to Do in Tsuchiura
Picture
Palo Alto students learning Kanji in a Tsuchiura classroom
Picture
Mayor Mariko Ando with Tsuchiura and Palo Alto Exchange Students
Picture
Palo Alto students touring Kyoto, Japan
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Delegates from Tsuchiura visited points of interest in the Bay Area during Neighbors Abroad's 60th anniversary festivities
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Delegation visit to the Mitchell Park Library, October 2024
ABOUT NEIGHBORS ABROAD

Neighbors Abroad fosters Palo Alto's domestic and international engagement through friendship, education, commerce, and sustainability. 

​We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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Neighbors Abroad
355 Alma Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: (650) 503-3343
EIN: 94-6103013
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  • Home
  • Sister and Sibling Cities
    • Albi, France >
      • 2023 Albi Delegation to Palo Alto
      • 30th Anniversary Celebrations - 2024
    • Bloomington, Indiana
    • Enschede, Netherlands
    • Heidelberg, Germany
    • Linköping, Sweden
    • Oaxaca, Mexico
    • Palo, Leyte, Philippines >
      • Palo, Leyte, 2022 Delegation
    • Tsuchiura, Japan >
      • 15th Anniversary - Tsuchiura and Palo Alto
    • Yangpu District, China
  • Friendship Cities
    • Narok, Kenya
  • Programs
    • Art and Sustainability
    • Climate Offsets and Network
    • 60th Anniversary Party & SustainCity Summit
    • Overduin Essay Contest >
      • Overduin Student Trip
    • Student Exchanges
    • Palo Alto/Enschede Photo Project >
      • Photographer Bios
    • Ukraine Relief Fund
    • Yaxe Rainwater Capture Project
    • We Are What We Eat Art Exhibit
    • Young Artists and Authors Contest
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Shop
  • About
    • Palo Alto
    • Board Members
    • In Memoriam
    • Partners
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Newsletter Archives
  • Blog