BELLINGHAM USA
Bellingham is in Washington state just below the Canadian border in an area known as the Pacific Northwest. Overlooking beautiful Puget Sound to the west and with the skyline dominated by the 3,285 m (10,778 ft) Mount Baker to the east, this is a place of great natural beauty.
The City of Bellingham, which serves as the county seat of Whatcom County, is at the centre of a uniquely picturesque area offering a rich variety of recreational, cultural, educational and economic activities.
Bellingham residents are passionate about community life. Strategic investments in parks, trails and preserved open spaces offer recreation and respite, and help community growth.
Bellingham offers magnificent natural scenery, skiing and snowboarding at Mt Baker, hiking, arts and theatre, charming villages and water adventures like whale watching. Source: http://www.cob.org/visiting/about.aspx
Port Stephens members have participated in Bellingham's Ski to Sea -- a relay race of 160 km (100 miles) from the slopes of Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay. In the 100th year of the race in 2011, 4,000 competitors took part.
We have had exchanges of student dance groups and support 'We Share a Story", a school literacy program initiated in Bellingham.
The City of Bellingham, which serves as the county seat of Whatcom County, is at the centre of a uniquely picturesque area offering a rich variety of recreational, cultural, educational and economic activities.
Bellingham residents are passionate about community life. Strategic investments in parks, trails and preserved open spaces offer recreation and respite, and help community growth.
Bellingham offers magnificent natural scenery, skiing and snowboarding at Mt Baker, hiking, arts and theatre, charming villages and water adventures like whale watching. Source: http://www.cob.org/visiting/about.aspx
Port Stephens members have participated in Bellingham's Ski to Sea -- a relay race of 160 km (100 miles) from the slopes of Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay. In the 100th year of the race in 2011, 4,000 competitors took part.
We have had exchanges of student dance groups and support 'We Share a Story", a school literacy program initiated in Bellingham.
TATEYAMA
Tateyama City (population 50,000), on the southern tip of Boso Peninsula at the entrance to Tokyo Bay, is a town of flowers and blossoms, and enjoys a relatively warm climate year-round.
A seaside city embracing a coastline of 31.5 km, and only two hours by train or car from Tokyo, Tateyama has swimming beaches in the summer and a beautiful undersea world featuring some of the northernmost habitats of coral.
It celebrates a long history of culture and tradition, including that of the Satomi Clan of military commanders in the Sengoku Age, and historically significant shrines and temples.
On a clear day from Tatayama bay you can see Mt Fuji on the horizon. Spring comes early, featuring poppies, field mustard and stock, and attracts hordes of visitors to Shiroyama park, noted for its cherry blossom trees, azaleas and chives.
In 1999 Port Stephens signed a Friendship City agreement with Tateyama and formalised a sister city agreement in 2009, with a delegation from Port Stephens attending the official signing in Tateyama.
In 2010 a delegation from Tateyama came to Port Stephens for the reciprocal signing at council chambers. Tours to and from Tateyama have been hosted from 2001 to 2006 and in 2008.
https://www.city.tateyama.chiba.jp/en/index.html
A seaside city embracing a coastline of 31.5 km, and only two hours by train or car from Tokyo, Tateyama has swimming beaches in the summer and a beautiful undersea world featuring some of the northernmost habitats of coral.
It celebrates a long history of culture and tradition, including that of the Satomi Clan of military commanders in the Sengoku Age, and historically significant shrines and temples.
On a clear day from Tatayama bay you can see Mt Fuji on the horizon. Spring comes early, featuring poppies, field mustard and stock, and attracts hordes of visitors to Shiroyama park, noted for its cherry blossom trees, azaleas and chives.
In 1999 Port Stephens signed a Friendship City agreement with Tateyama and formalised a sister city agreement in 2009, with a delegation from Port Stephens attending the official signing in Tateyama.
In 2010 a delegation from Tateyama came to Port Stephens for the reciprocal signing at council chambers. Tours to and from Tateyama have been hosted from 2001 to 2006 and in 2008.
https://www.city.tateyama.chiba.jp/en/index.html
KUSHIRO
Kushiro, 'the town of mist, in the south-eastern part of Hokkaido, facing the Pacific Ocean, plays a leading role in the politics, economics and culture of eastern Hokkaido.
The marine products industry of Kushiro has flourished since the early 20th century, and the long and narrow city centering on Kushiro Port still retains many features of the streets of the early 20th century port town.
A monument to Takuboku Ishikawa, a famous poet and novelist who lived there, can be found in Yonemachi Park, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of Kushiro Port from an observation point.
In the north of Kushiro is Japan's largest marshland, Kushiro Marsh, which stretches out over the majority of the Kushiro Plain and is listed as a national park. Kushiro Tancho Nature Park is known as the site of the first successful artificial breeding of tancho cranes, which are designated as special natural monuments.There are about 20 tancho cranes residing in the park, which can be seen all year round. Source: JNTO.
The Latham Snipe, known locally as the Japanese Racing Pigeon migrates from the Kushiro wetlands in the winter to the warmer wetlands of Newcastle and Port Stephens in Australia.
The Kushiro, Port Stephens and Newcastle Wetland Sister City Agreement was first made in 1994 and renewed in 2004. A delegation from Kushiro attended the renewal signing at the Shortland Wetlands Centre.
In 2004 a delegation of five students attended the World Youth Eco Summit in Kushiro and in 2007, 88 people visited Port Stephens from Kushiro.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/hokkaido/kusiro.html
The marine products industry of Kushiro has flourished since the early 20th century, and the long and narrow city centering on Kushiro Port still retains many features of the streets of the early 20th century port town.
A monument to Takuboku Ishikawa, a famous poet and novelist who lived there, can be found in Yonemachi Park, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of Kushiro Port from an observation point.
In the north of Kushiro is Japan's largest marshland, Kushiro Marsh, which stretches out over the majority of the Kushiro Plain and is listed as a national park. Kushiro Tancho Nature Park is known as the site of the first successful artificial breeding of tancho cranes, which are designated as special natural monuments.There are about 20 tancho cranes residing in the park, which can be seen all year round. Source: JNTO.
The Latham Snipe, known locally as the Japanese Racing Pigeon migrates from the Kushiro wetlands in the winter to the warmer wetlands of Newcastle and Port Stephens in Australia.
The Kushiro, Port Stephens and Newcastle Wetland Sister City Agreement was first made in 1994 and renewed in 2004. A delegation from Kushiro attended the renewal signing at the Shortland Wetlands Centre.
In 2004 a delegation of five students attended the World Youth Eco Summit in Kushiro and in 2007, 88 people visited Port Stephens from Kushiro.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/hokkaido/kusiro.html
YUGAWARA
Yugawara (pop 26,500), in the Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a hot spring town, with a magnificent view of Sagami Bay, and mild weather throughout the year.
This beautiful spot has been known as an ancient spa town since it was described in 'Manyo-shu', Japan's oldest collection of poems. The rows of ryokan (hot spring inns), are reminders of the good times of the past.
In the latter part of the 1800s, after the Meiji Era, Yuigawara's mild climate the abundance of lush nature fascinated many famous Japanese novelists, such as Soseki Natsume, Toson Shimazaki, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The town has become known as a health resort associated with these novelists ever since.
Yugawara has many historical sites connected to the Kamakura Shogunatet that wielded power during the 13th century.
The Yukake (water-splashing)-matsui is a unique festival held every spring that attracts large crowds. Source: Japan National Tourist Organisation. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/kanagawa/yugawara.html
Yugawara formally became a Sister City in 1999, after many years of exchanges and Friendship City relationships. Tours have been hosted to and from Yugawara from 2001 to 2010 inclusive. Students from Yugawara attend school at St Phillips in Salamander Bay and our students also spend some time in the Japanese school system.
This beautiful spot has been known as an ancient spa town since it was described in 'Manyo-shu', Japan's oldest collection of poems. The rows of ryokan (hot spring inns), are reminders of the good times of the past.
In the latter part of the 1800s, after the Meiji Era, Yuigawara's mild climate the abundance of lush nature fascinated many famous Japanese novelists, such as Soseki Natsume, Toson Shimazaki, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The town has become known as a health resort associated with these novelists ever since.
Yugawara has many historical sites connected to the Kamakura Shogunatet that wielded power during the 13th century.
The Yukake (water-splashing)-matsui is a unique festival held every spring that attracts large crowds. Source: Japan National Tourist Organisation. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/kanagawa/yugawara.html
Yugawara formally became a Sister City in 1999, after many years of exchanges and Friendship City relationships. Tours have been hosted to and from Yugawara from 2001 to 2010 inclusive. Students from Yugawara attend school at St Phillips in Salamander Bay and our students also spend some time in the Japanese school system.
