Bizen City, located in southeastern part of Okayama Prefecture, faces the calm Seto Inland Sea and is blessed with rich nature surrounded by lush green mountains. The city is famous for its seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, such as fresh oysters, and its beautiful natural landscape, which spreads out to the north.
Furthermore, it is also well-known as a cultural site that boasts three ‘Japan Heritage’ certified items – ‘Bizen Ware’ with a thousand-year history, ‘Shizutani School’ which passes on the spirit of learning, and ‘Port of Kitamae-bune’, an old port of call that brought prosperity to many parts of Japan from mid-Edo to late Meiji period.
In January 1990, Yoshinaga Town and Clare & Gilbert Valley started a sister city relationship. Since the merger of Yoshinaga Town and Bizen City in 2005, Bizen City has taken over the relationship.
The two municipalities have deepened their bond by biennial mutual student exchanges, offering experiences such as homestays and tours of school facilities and so on. For example, in 2018, students from Clare & Gilbert Valley visited Bizen City and experienced Mochitsuki (rice cake pounding) and Bizen Ware pottery in Hattoji Furusato Village, as well as a visit to a childcare centre.
The following year, visits to wineries and primary schools were arranged for Bizen City students by Clare and Gilbert Valley, where sheep farming and winemaking are the primary industries. The mutual exchange was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, but it resumed in 2023 after a 4-year interval.
From 17 to 26 August 2023, a friendship delegation consisting of 10 high school students from Bizen City and three chaperons (from the City Council and International Exchange Association) visited Clare & Gilbert Valley, where the students stayed with host families. During the stay, they participated in a school visit, Australian football and an Aboriginal art program, and also enjoyed encounters with koalas and kangaroos.
They were able to experience the differences between Australia and Japan firsthand through interactions with locals and immersion in their lifestyle and culture. The 33rd anniversary of the sister city affiliation was marked by the unveiling of a monument at an event attended by Clare & Gilbert Valley Council Mayor Allan Aughey and Bizen City Deputy Mayor Shuntaro Sugiura.
This year, the city is planning to host a delegation from Clare & Gilbert Valley from 30 September to 7 October.
Bizen City will strive to further promote sister city exchanges and continue fostering friendship by implementing various mutual exchanges, including student exchanges.
