Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association

  Delegations

In 1980, the first performing delegation came from Kasugai Japan. There were over 40 members in that delegation and they represented Kasugai and the Japanese culture with stunning kimonos, awkward yet beautifully sounding Japanese harps (Koto) and the most graceful movements of dance that one could experience.

The unfamiliarity of the Japanese people and its culture diminished in a sense for the people of Kelowna who were able to experience the connection that these visitors from far away in an exotic land gave us. From that time on, the ties between Kelowna and Kasugai strengthened and the people from Kelowna felt the need to reciprocate visits.
Hence, a delegation went from Kelowna to Kasugai to show the citizens of Kasugai what Kelowna people were all about.

After a few more exchanges among the citizen’s community groups happened, Kelowna Secondary School, with the help of Mr. Roy Tanaka, began a sister school relationship with Haruhigaoka High School in Kasugai. From that time, school delegations started to exchange with each other.
Minamishiro Junior High School became interested in international exchange and very quickly started a correspondence and then physical exchange with Rutland Middle School.

There have been thousands of people going back and forth on exchanges between Kelowna and Kasugai learning about one another more and more.
As you peruse through previous delegations to and from Kelowna, you will find one thing that remains constant; a stronger bond between our cities with each visit that takes place.

 Previous Delegations