Ichinoseki's International Sister City Relationship

History of our International Sister City

Ichinoseki's international sister city is the Central Highlands Regional Council in Queensland, Australia. In 1993, Duaringa Shire and Fujisawa Town Council established a sister city relationship to foster mutual understanding and goodwill. Although the former councils have merged to become part of the Central Highlands Regional Council and Ichinoseki City, the sister city relationship continues. 2023 marked 30 years of friendship. To commemorate this occasion, a delegation from Ichinoseki visited the Central Highlands and participated in a Japanese festival where both mayors re-signed the Sister City Agreement.

Cultural Collaborations

The two communities share cultural exchanges, primarily through annual homestay

programs for high school students which has now had over 400 participants. The pandemic interrupted the homestays, however, interactions between students continued through an online exchange at the Ichinoseki/Hiraizumi English Camp for junior high school students. Last year, homestays resumed, and the online exchange continues to be held.

Major Projects

The Town of Fujisawa (now Ichinoseki) gifted a Japanese garden known as the Blackwater Japanese Gardens and a seminar house used for holding educational and cultural events to the Duaringa Shire Council (now the Central Highlands Regional Council) in 1998. The project brought together Australian staff and Japanese gardeners, carpenters, and interpreters and continues to thrive as an attraction for locals and visitors to experience Japanese culture. The initiative was awarded the Best Sister City Cooperation and Best Single Project by Sister Cities Australia in the year of its establishment.

In turn, the Central Highlands gifted the Australia Japan Friendship Park to Ichinoseki City. The project showcases products from Australian companies and offered opportunity to further knowledge on trade. Completed in 2015, this labour of love has flourished as a popular space for children. The park includes Japan's first swing designed for wheelchair users, embracing its concept of being 'A place with no barriers' and features Australian themed designs and play equipment.

An electric barbecue was also donated to Ichinoseki and is installed at Tategamori Kogen Hotel in Fujisawa, Ichinoseki. This barbecue, designed to withstand Ichinoseki winters, allows residents to enjoy Australia’s culinary culture of a good ol' outdoor barbie. Each facility stands as a symbol of the lasting bond between the two regions and offers a meaningful space for community engagement.

Ichinoseki City is grateful for all the wonderful interactions that continue to transform both regions and are looking forward to creating more lifelong memories and friendships through this meaningful sister city relationship.

Originally written for the Japan Local Government Centre, CLAIR Sydney which can be found here: https://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/NL192.pdf