The Menlo Park Sister Cities Association sent nine student ambassadors, ages 12-17, to Bizen, Japan, for one week this June. I documented my experience on the trip and interviewed members of the program to showcase this transformative experience.
A sister city is a formal partnership between two cities in different countries that aim to promote cultural, commercial, and educational ties. They were formed after WWII to nurture peaceful relations through cultural exchange between countries. The Menlo Park Sister City Program was established in 2015, and in 2021, the Menlo Park Sister Cities Association was formed to further spread cultural enrichment.
Menlo Park has two sister cities: Bizen, Japan, and Galway, Ireland. Every other year, students have the opportunity to travel to one of Menlo Park’s sister cities to engage in cultural exchange. In the alternating year, the sister city sends students to Menlo Park.
“Far away from the futuristic spectacles of Tokyo, Bizen is a city that has kept its artisan traditions, such as sword-making and pottery, close to its heart. It is more accessible and less overwhelming than the bigger cities, and the people here are friendly and want to make international friends,” Ethan Cohn, the English-Japanese translator for Bizen, said.
“I hope that students gain an appreciation for a different culture, learn how other people live, and the different communication styles. I think it is really important to embrace different cultures outside of our own,” Board of Directors member Anna Enerio said.
The Experience
Located in Japan’s countryside, the historical town of Bizen, Japan, is green and peaceful. The city is known for its traditional arts, specifically Bizen ware, a type of Japanese pottery created in the sixth century. The town has a population of around 30,000 people, a size similar to Menlo Park.
Throughout the experience, we visited historical landmarks in Okayama, Hiroshima, and Bizen. We traveled to the Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan’s “Three Scenic Views,” preserved for centuries, and the Bizen Sword Museum, where master swordsmiths continue a craft that has defined the city for generations. At each stop, it felt as though we had stepped directly into Japan’s living history.
The program also gave students the opportunity to meet with local officials from the Bizen government. While much of the communication required a translator, it was clear how much they valued the sister city connection with Menlo Park, giving us gifts and greeting us warmly. Visits to City Hall and meetings with the mayor and city officials provided valuable insight into the inner workings of Bizen.
Food quickly became another highlight. We tried specialties such as okonomiyaki, a savory pancake filled with noodles, along with udon, yakisoba noodles, sushi, shabu-shabu, dango, and mochi. At our host family’s home, we ate authentic Japanese homemade meals.
We also learned how to make Bizen ware, or 備前焼, known for its rustic, unglazed look. Shaping the clay carefully, we designed bowls, cups, and other creations. Our pieces then went into the Bizen kiln, which creates a unique coloring through the natural effects of wood ash during firing. The art form is extremely popular throughout the city, with festivals showcasing pieces being held each year.
One of the most unique and memorable parts of the experience is staying with a host family. Unlike a typical tourist experience, the cultural exchange allowed us to experience authentic Japanese culture and life through everyday experiences. I was welcomed into my host family’s home with the utmost hospitality. There, I practiced Japanese customs, slept on a futon bed, and learned to say the Japanese phrase, “Itadakimasu,” signifying gratitude before each meal.
The most challenging part of the trip was communicating with the Bizen locals. Communication occurred through a variety of ways, most weren’t very straightforward. The Bizen Sister City officials work with an English-Japanese translator. We spoke to our host families, who had limited English proficiency, with a heavy reliance on Google Translate. Despite this barrier, however, I was able to bond with my host family, playing Mario Kart, taking pictures at the Japanese photo booth with my host sister, and cooking takoyaki. This experience taught me patience and creativity in communicating, using gestures and body language.
Reflections
Representing Menlo Park at Bizen was a memorable and meaningful trip for me, as it was my first time going abroad and experiencing cultures authentically. Engaging with Japanese culture allowed me to broaden my understanding of Japan and its people. I gained a newfound appreciation for cultural exchange and a respect for longstanding traditions and cultural practices that make a community unique.
I highly recommend the program to any Menlo Park student who is curious about the world around them. Bizen is particularly interesting to visit because of its deep-rooted traditions, arts, and culture. By participating in the Menlo Park Sister City Program, our group of student ambassadors was able to make international connections and deepen the bond between Menlo Park and Bizen.
“This experience opened my eyes to how hospitable and generous the people of Japan are. It made me realize that it is very different from American culture, which feels more disconnected between people,” junior Martin Stoyanov, a student ambassador, said. “It is an experience that you cannot miss. It will open you to new cultural experiences that will stick with you.”
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