-Sister City - Kurobane, Japan-
On November 3, 2004 a delegation from West Covina, representing the City of West Covina and the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, located in West Covina, attended the signing ceremony of the sister city relationship between the City of West Covina and the Town of Kurobane in Japan. These delegates were the guests of the Town of Kurobane to attend this special ceremony.

The West Covina delegation was very well received in Japan. During the trip, the delegation visited with the leadership of the Tochigi Prefecture (similar to a state in the U.S.) and representatives of the cities and businesses of Kurobane and Otawara. In October 2005, the City of Kurobane will be merging with the City of Otawara, which will continue the sister city relationship with West Covina.

Kurobane, Japan is located 210 miles north of Tokyo, in the Tochigi Prefecture. The current population of Kurobane is 17,000, but is expected to exceed 100,000 when Kurobane and Otawara merge in October 2005. Kurobane encompasses 73 square miles and is an agricultural community with a large forestry industry. Kurobane is also the home of the Annual Japanese Basho Festival, a haiku festival named after the most popular Japanese poet. The city has an operating budget of $19.8 million, eight elementary schools, four middle schools, one high school, and a Mayor/Council form of government with an executive administrator similar to our City Manager.


Members of the West Covina delegation meet with representatives of the Tochigi Prefecture in Japan.



The West Covina Delegation celebrates the signing of the sister city relationship between Kurobane and West Covina with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at a Temple in Kurobane.



Representatives of the Town of Kurobane welcome the delegation from West Covina with a traditional Japanese Dinner. Norio Saito, Mayor of Kurobane is third from the left.



Photo of actual signing of sister city documents.



View of the city along the river.



Temple in Kurobane



Temple in Kurobane



Kurobane City Hall



Town of Kurobane's Community/Performing Arts Center where the Signing Ceremony occurred on November 3, 2004.



Downtown Kurobane



View of Kurobane agricultural fields



Photo of a Crape myrtle tree, Official City Tree of West Covina that was planted on the day of the sigining ceremony to designate the new relationship between the two cities. The crape myrtle tree was brought to the United States from Japan.

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