Santa Cruz and Shingu Celebrate 50 Years of Sister City Friendship

Published on October 28, 2025

A Santa Cruz delegation recently returned from a weeklong visit to Shingu, Japan, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between the two coastal communities. 

Since 1975, Santa Cruz and Shingu have shared a deep cultural connection rooted in friendship, understanding, and exchange. The 50th anniversary celebration honored this enduring partnership through ceremonies, community gatherings, and shared reflections on peace and global cooperation. 

“On behalf of the Mayor and the Santa Cruz City Council, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share this meaningful moment in time,” said Councilmember Renée Golder, who joined Councilmember Sonja Brunner in representing Santa Cruz. “Many of the problems we face in the world today arise from not taking the time to truly understand one another. When we embrace both our similarities and our differences, we create opportunities for empathy, collaboration, and peace.” 

“This year’s delegation to our sister city Shingu, Japan to celebrate 50 years of our sister city friendship was a special and memorable experience,” said Councilmember Sonja Brunner. “We shared meals, made true personal connections and shared cultural exchanges, which has woven our two communities together into one global family. While we honored the history of our sister city relationship, the visit was more than ceremonial—we experienced true Shingu hospitality, the value of citizen and cultural exchange and collaboration, and invested in a commitment to future exchanges and partnerships over the next 50 years.” 

During the celebration, Shingu Sister City Association Chair Taku Iwasawa reflected on the long-standing relationship between the two cities: 

“The Sister City relationship between our two cities serves as a crossroads of life—where our lives intersect, where we gain strength from each other, and then return to our own paths with renewed energy. It is my greatest hope that this meaningful exchange continues for the next 50 years.” 

During the week, the delegation visited the Kumano Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Grand Shrine, and Kamikura Shrine, where they participated in formal Shinto worship and traditional ceremonies. They observed and took part in the Shingu Autumn Festival, explored the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, and attended the official 50th Anniversary Ceremony at Shingu City Hall, where gifts were exchanged between the two cities. Delegates also joined in cultural activities such as kimono wearing, Kōdō (the traditional incense ceremony), and Zen meditation at Seikanin Temple, deepening mutual appreciation and understanding. 

Delegation member Emily Burton, who participated in a homestay, shared: 

“I had the experience of a lifetime being able to meet the Shingu Mayor and City Council, all of whom welcomed us graciously and kindly. I was fortunate to be hosted by a local family who shared with me Japanese foods I had never tried, like natto, umeboshi, and takoyaki, and who generously took me on a trip to Ise Shrine. I forged and reinforced relationships with people in Shingu that I will have for the rest of my life.” 

Annalise Bryant, Recreation Supervisor and delegation member, added: 

“It was an incredible honor to be part of the Sister Cities delegation to Shingu, Japan. Experiencing the city’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural traditions firsthand was truly inspiring. The warmth and generosity of our hosts offered a deeply personal connection and a meaningful exchange of ideas and traditions. This journey reinforced the power of cultural exchange in building understanding, friendship, and mutual respect across communities.” 

Despite the changing weather—from sunshine to rain—participants embraced the spirit of renewal and reflection that defines the Kumano region, known in Japanese tradition as a place of rebirth. 

Santa Cruz and Shingu continue to celebrate their partnership through student exchanges, cultural programs, and citizen diplomacy efforts that build lasting bridges between communities. Building on this milestone visit, a Santa Cruz youth delegation will travel to Shingu in the spring of 2026. The program will offer local students the opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand, participate in school visits and homestays, and deepen the cross-cultural understanding that has been the heart of the Sister City relationship for five decades.