August 2025
2 42KTsuchiura – Palo Alto’s Sister City in Japan
§Tsuchiura is a city on the shore of the Lake Kasumigaura in eastern Japan, about one hour by train from Tokyo§Tsuchiura and Palo Alto have been sister cities since 2009, and have a middle school exchange program that has run since 1993§Every April, the Kasumigaura Marathon and International Blind Marathon is held in Tsuchiura§Through the Neighbors Abroad program, Tsuchiura sponsors a Palo Alto runner each year at the marathon Tsuchimaru (Tsuchiura’s mascot)
3 42KSome of Tsuchiura’s Famous Attractions
Hobikisen Wooden Boats on Lake KasumigauraTsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition Sakura (and the Ring Ring Road Cycling Path)Shibanuma Soy Sauce (Established in 1688) Lotus Flowers at Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park
4 42KThe Team Introduced Me to Local Sites
Ring Ring Road Cycling PathTsuchiura Castle and Downtown (Sakura in Bloom Heading into Golden Week) Tulips and Windmill at the Lake Park120m Tall Buddha at Ushiku Daibutsu Meditation at Kojo-an Temple
5 42KTown Officials, the International Association, and the Tsuchiura Schools Extended a Warm Welcome Meeting Mayor Ando and the Tsuchiura City LeadershipDinner with the International Association Team Lunch in Tokyo with Nakajima-sensei (founder of the exchange program)Students who Visited Palo Alto and Endo-sensei at JHS 2
6 42KMeeting the Host Familes from the Tsuchiura – Palo Alto Exchange The Kozawa Family – Shohei visited Palo Alto in 2019
The Nakaya Family – Yuna visited Palo Alto in 2023
The Ozeki Family – Tsubasa visited Palo Alto in 2018
7 42KAnd…Running the Marathon!
At the Start with Yuki Kawauchi (2018 Boston Marathon Winner – He Won the Race!)Mid-Run (I finished in 3:46) Brilliant Support from International Association and Host Families
8 42KA Massive Thanks to the Tsuchiura International Exchange Team!!! Thank you Kozawa-san, Ozeki-san, Onuki-San, Araki-san, Nakaizumi-San, and Fujimura-san!