Spokane-Nishinomiya

Sister City Society

Since 1961

Our Mission

The mission of the Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society is to promote goodwill between the people of Spokane, Washington, and Nishinomiya, Japan, through friendship, mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation with cultural, educational, and economic activities and exchanges.

Open to All

We encourage all Spokane citizens to be actively involved by becoming members, attending Society events, hosting exchange guests, assisting with fundraisers, planning events, and participating in various other activities.

High School Exchange Program

Since 1974, the Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society has sponsored a large number of Spokane high school students for a 6- week summer homestay exchange program in Nishinomiya, Japan.

Nishinomiya-Tsutakawa Japanese Garden

The late Edward M. Tsutakawa, along with Spokane Mayor Neal Fosseen and others, led the effort to create the Sister City Partnership on Sept. 17, 1961. Using three noted landscape gardeners from Japan, the garden was completed in May 1974, at the opening of Spokane’s Expo ’74 World’s Fair. In April 2008, the Japanese Garden was renamed for Ed.

Nishinomiya-Imazu Lighthouse

A centerpiece of the Connections Sister Cities Garden in Spokane’s Riverfront Park is the 11-foot-tall replica of the Imazu Lighthouse in Nishinomiya, Japan.

Thank you for being so supportive!