Visalia has had a sister city
relationship with Miki, Japan since 1965. This year celebrates the 50th
anniversary of that relationship. It has been at least 10 years since
Visalia last sent a delegation to Miki. To celebrate the 50th
anniversary, my wife Alisa and I will be hosting a delegation of citizens and
city officials traveling to Miki, Japan, November 3 through 9, 2016. The
planning for this event has been underway for quite some time, such that we can
now start promoting this event.
Miki officials asked us to
visit during this time frame because it coincides with their annual Hardware
Festival. According to an article I googled, Miki is famous throughout
Japan as one of their country's largest producers of hardware, from kitchen
knives to hedge trimmers, almost every kind of hand tool is manufactured in
Miki. This festival is said to attract 160,000 visitors annually.
You can expect to see people pounding mochi (rice cakes), dance and drum
performances, people in traditional costume, and stalls selling delicious
festival food. Beneath the rows of brightly colored tents are tools of
every kind. One can browse through metal rakes and hoes, saws, axes, nata
(Japanese hatchets), scissors, thread cutters, Ikebana (flower arrangement)
shears, shovels, saws and a plethora of knives. Produce from local
farmers can be picked up for cheap. There is also an eclectic mix of
other local handicrafts, baked goods and various products, and the nearby
cultural center has flowers, bonsai and local art on display.
We plan to fly into Osaka
International Airport on Thursday evening, November 3, where we will be greeted
by a Miki sister city delegation, and transported by bus to Miki City
Hall. From there, we will fan out to our host families' homes or to
hotels. Accommodations may be either Japanese style, i.e., the use of
futons on Tatami mats, or American style, with tables, chairs and beds.
On Friday we will visit
schools and public places such as Shinto/Buddhist temples or factories.
Saturday will be free time with the host families. Sunday will include
visits to Miki City Hall, the hardware festival, and Horseland Park. On
Monday, the group will be hosted on a visit to Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial
Park, and on Tuesday to Miyajimi, a scenic island which is the site of one of
Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, a Torii in the ocean, pictures of which you
may have seen. The group will be bused back to Osaka Airport on Wednesday
for the return flight home.
The cost for this trip will
be the responsibility of each of the attendees. Likewise, my wife and I
will be traveling on our own dime, at no cost to the city of Visalia.
However, much of the price for this fabulous trip will be defrayed by Miki and
the host families, who will assist with travel arrangements, food and overnight
accommodations.
Visalia received a grant a
number of years ago, to build a Japanese sister city park, which park is now
under construction on Mineral King Avenue, near City Hall just east of Redwood
High School. We look forward to a reciprocal visit from a delegation of
Miki city officials and citizens in Spring, 2017, as they come to attend the
dedication of our new park. At that time, we will be looking for host
families to help with their transportation and accommodation needs here.
If you are interested in
being part of Visalia's delegation for this visit to our sister city in Japan,
or being part of next Spring's celebration here in Visalia, please contact
Gladys Ruiz at the City, 713-4314, gladys.ruiz@visalia.city
by July 22, 2016. Additionally, we will hold an informational meeting for
all interested on Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
I invite you to join the
celebration of the 50th anniversary of our sister city relationship
with Miki, Japan.
Visalia Times Delta Commentary, July 9, 2016
