Traverse City
Sister City of Koka, Shiga
Connect with Traverse City
Website: traversecitysistercity.weebly.com
Email: rebecca.l.walters@gmail.com
Relationship Details
Shiga Sister City: Koka (originally Tsuchiyama)
Relationship Established: 1969 (and renewed in 2005)
Website: www.city.koka.lg.jp
Relationship Overview
Traverse City signed their original sister city agreement with Tsuchiyama, Japan in 1969. In 2004, the Shiga towns of Tsuchiyama, Minakuchi, Koka, Konan, and Shigaraki were merged to create the City of Koka. A new sister city agreement was signed in 2005 between Traverse City and the City of Koka.
The Traverse City Sister City group was revitalized in 2017. In 2019, the mayor of Koka City traveled to Traverse City and celebrations were held to mark the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship. In 2020, Traverse City displayed scrolls painted by residents of Koka City at the city library along with a variety of artifacts from Japan.
School Exchanges
Traverse City has a middle school exchange program for 8th grade students. It involves 6 students each year. Efforts are made to select three from each middle school (East and West Middle Schools).
For more information:
- Exchange Coordinator: Marci Perthes