WHITEHORSE, CANADA

Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, is Canada's most westernmost city, located near Alaska, with a population of 25,600. The climate is much colder than that of Ushiku, with average temperatures ranging from -16 degrees in January to 20 degrees in July.

Whitehorse was named after the nearby rapids of the Yukon River, which resemble the long flowing manes of charging white horses. The name was in common use by 1897, when the area was a favorite Resting spot for prospectors who had rafted through Miles Canyon and The Whitehorse Rapids on the Yukon River on their way to the Klondike Gold Rush. In 1953 Whitehorse was declared the capital city of Yukon with the completion of the 2,431km long Alaska Highway and Whitehorse Airport. Tourist attractions in the area include Miles Canyon, with its suspension footbridge, Whitehorse Rapids, the S.S. Klondike Sternwheeler, the MacBride Museum, and Yukon Gardens.

Summer attractions include Yukon River boat tours, the "Frantic Follies" and "El Dorado" vaudeville shows, and the annual Yukon Midnight Marathon held in June. The Yukon Quest dogsled race is staged every February, with international teams racing 1600 kilometers between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, Alaska.

Whitehorse offers a wide variety of recreation facilities, including ice rinks, a bowling alley, an 18 hole golf course, rifle and pistol ranges, and a variety of cross country ski trails, with one track lit for night skiing. In addition, there is a commercially run natural hot springs facility.

Whitehorse City Homepage

ORANGE, AUSTRALIA

Orange is located about 279 kilometers north-west of Sydney, in New South Wales. Its population is about 38,000 and it covers about 286 square kilometers. It is known as "Australia's colour city" because of the wide variety of flowers that bloom there throughout the year. Orange is surrounded by beautiful lakes and mountains, attracting many hikers, swimmers, and fishermen.

Orange is a very rich agricultural region, and is so well known for its apples that there's an apple in its city emblem. There are many dairy farms in the area which welcome tourists.
Located about 120 kilometers outside of Orange is a city called Cowra. This city has some Japanese memorials, such as an old prisoner of war building used during World War 2, a graveyard in which some Japanese soldiers are buried, and a Japanese garden. Cowra is referred to as the "Holy place of friendship between Japan and Australia."

Since the Sister City agreement in 1990, Ushiku and Orange have strengthened their relationship through student as well as adult exchange programs. When a group of Ushiku citizens visited Orange in 1994, they presented the city with a statue, symbolizing the friendly sister city relationship. The statue was created by a local sculptor, Mr. Kunihiko Isshiki, and is presently standing in front of the Orange Civic Center. It is called "The statue of empathy" and is a replica of the statue you may have seen in front of Ushiku Central Life-long Learning Center.

A group of Ushiku citizens visited Orange in the summer of 2006 for the 4th time. They had a warm reception and were presented with a document declaring them honorable citizens of orange city, a symbol of friendship. They also had a tree planting ceremony at which they planted a tree hoping that our friendship would grow stronger and healthier as the years go by.

Lately, Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Japanese travelers. If you get the chance to visit Australia, please go to Orange, where you are sure to receive a warm welcome.
For further information, please come to Ushiku International Association (or Ushiku Kokusai Koryu Kyokai) at City Hall.

Orange City Council Homepage

HITACHIOTA, IBARAKI, JAPAN

Suifu Village is located near the center of Kuji County in northern Ibaraki. It has been nicknamed "The treasure box of nature", due to its beautiful mountain scenery.

A particularly beautiful area is the Okukuji Prefectural Nature Park, in which the 10 kilometer "Ryujin" Gorge is situated. The clear mountain water along the gorge forms small waterfalls, streams, and pools. One very impressive spot is called Kamegafuchi.

In 1994, the "Ryujin Suspension Bridge" was completed, linking both sides of the gorge at a height of about 100 meters. At 375 meters, it is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan and from it there is a wonderful view of the distant mountains. Every year in early May, the "Ryujin Carp Streamer" Festival is held at the Ryujin Dam beneath the bridge. Looking down on the festival from the bridge, the view of about 300 carp streamers strung across the gorge is quite magnificent.
Hiking along the 9 kilometer course in the park is a great way to appreciate the Suifu area. The scenery is especially beautiful in the fall, with its variety of colors, or in the middle of summer, when the foliage is a lush green.

For overnight visitors, there are bungalows and campsites at "Ryujin Furusato-mura", located near the gorge. A bath house and cooking facilities are available, and for your leisure enjoyment, a 123 meter slide. Next to the slide there is a tower called "Hoshimino-toh" and from the top of it you can see a breathtaking panoramic view.
Suifu is rich in agriculture, and its mushrooms, buckwheat noodles, and konnyaku jelly make wonderful gifts.

To get to Suifu by car, take the Joban Expressway north and exit at the Hitachi-Minamiohta interchange. Then keep heading north for Suifu, passing by JR's Hitachi-ohta Station.
If you go by train, take JR's Joban line to Mito, and transfer to the Suigun line there. Get off at Hitachi-ohta Station, then catch a bus heading for Takakura Daigo. This bus will stop at the Ryujin Suspension Bridge.

For further information, please come to Ushiku International Association (or Ushiku Kokusai Koryu Kyokai) at City Hall.

SHIKAMA, MIYAGI,JAPAN

In 1988, Ushiku established sister city relations with Shikama Town, in Miyagi Prefecture. Shikama is located in the northwest part of Miyagi, about 30 kilometers from Sendai, and has a population of 9,000. Shikama's history dates back to the Stone Age, and you can still see many ruins from this period.

Located in Shikama is the Isora Shrine. Because the wooden statue of its enshrined god resembles a "Kappa", the shrine is known as "Okappasama". A "Kappa" is a mythical monster that lives in rivers, and is characterized by its original hair style, topped with a flat plate, filled with water. It has webbed feet, and these days is often depicted in a cute, cartoon style. The shrine is said to have been established 1200 years ago by order of General Sakanoue.

Among Shikama's many tourist attractions is the "Kappa's Hometown" Festival (or Kappano Furusto Matsuri), held every August at Atagoyama Park, where celebrants dance in Kappa costumes. Near the park is the "Furusato" public restaurant, where you can enjoy reasonably priced steaks.
In 1992, the Kappa Hot Springs Facility (or Kappanoyu), which Includes bath facilities for the handicapped, was opened to the public.

Shikama is famous for apples grown in its Hirasawa District.
The Shikama Falls (or Shikama Ootaki) are 41 meters high and are located by Funatakayama Pass, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Nearby, is the Ootaki Campground, which has many bungalows. ?Many people use this campground from June through October, when Climbing Funatakayama. Finally, Shikama has the "Jinmeisui" Spring, chosen as the best tasting water in Miyagi.

To get to Shikama, take the Tohhoku Highway to the Furukawa Interchange and go 13 kilometers west on route 347. The nearest Shinkansen station is Furukawa, on the Tohhoku Line. For further information, please come to Ushiku International Association(or Ushiku Kokusai Koryu Kyokai) at City Hall.

ShikamaTown Homepage