SHARING CULTURE

Kashiwa, Japan

The Kashiwa delegation arrived August 4th and was welcomed with a delicious potluck dinner at Nakano Theater. They will stay with two host families and enjoy a variety of activities including a Dodger game, meet and greet with the Mayor and city officials, a beach and pool party, Disneyland, pickle ball, Madrona Marsh, Torrance Historical Society, Torrance Fire and Police Stations, San Diego and more.

Kashiwa is located 18 miles northeast of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture. It is approximately three times larger in population and area than Torrance. It is a bustling, energetic city, yet it still maintains a lot of open space and the old charm of Japan. Much natural beauty is preserved with a lake, woods, and farm land. Kashiwa borders on the longest river in Japan, the Tone River.

Kashiwa is governed by an elected mayor and 36 elected assembly members. The Assembly meets four times a year for regular meetings, and as many special meetings as deemed necessary to discuss policies, regulations, and the budget. The city officials work with the residents to keep Kashiwa "safe, full of hope, and vital."

The Kashiwa city tree is the oak, the city flowers are the moss pink and the dogtooth violet, and the city bird is the azure-winged magpie.

Festivals in Kashiwa include:

Cherry Blossom Festival (early April)
Kashiwa Festival (last weekend in July)
Teganuma Hanabi Taikai (early August)
Click here to visit the website of KIRA, our partner organization in Japan.