Cities of Sisterly Love
They are the Mile High City and its aptly named Japanese sister-city.
What are Denver and Takayama?
This prefecture is famous for its unique Ainu culture, ancient tombs, and the striking Lake Shikotsu, which is a caldera lake formed by a volcanic eruption.
What is Hokkaido.
On August 7, 2016, this Miami Marlin became the first Japanese player to collect his 3,000th career Major League Baseball hit at the hitter’s paradise of Coors Field in Denver.
Who is Ichiro Suzuki?
Water in Japanese AND A person who works at a park with animals in English
What is mizu(oo)keeper?
This famous Tokyo neighborhood, once a center for traditional entertainment and nightlife, is home to the renowned Kabuki-za Theatre, where the traditional Japanese drama, Kabuki, is performed.
What is Ginza?
These two cities, one in Japan known for its temples and traditional culture, and the other in the U.S. known for its rich history, sports teams, and universities, have been sister cities since 1959.
What are Kyoto and Boston?
This prefecture is home to the cave where Amaterasu hid (Amano Iwato cave) and Takachiho Gorge, and is famous for its chicken nanban and beef.
What is Miyazaki?
At the closing ceremonies of the 1998 winter games, the mayor of this Japanese city passed the Olympic flag to the mayor of this American city.
What are Nagano and Salt Lake City?
lightweight jacket worn at a festival in Japanese AND A savory Italian pie in English.
What is ha(p)pizza?
In 2009, this party won a historic victory in Japan’s general elections, ending more than 50 years of near-continuous rule by the Liberal Democratic Party. What is the name of this political party?
What is the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)?
Don’t underestimate these “Second City” sisters. One was named Bon Appetite’s Restaurant City of the Year in 2017. The other was called “The Culinary Heart of Japan” by Anthony Bourdain himself.
What are Chicago and Osaka?
This prefecture is home to Japan's largest Tori gate (Kumano Hongū Taisha) and highest cascading waterfall (Nachi Falls) and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
What is Wakayama?
This city was home to the Navy Japanese Language School from 1942-1946 and is currently home to the American Association of Teachers of Japanese.
What is Boulder, Colorado?
An island in Japanese AND What a child calls its mother, often their first spoken word
What is shimama?
These three sacred objects, said to symbolize the divine right of the emperor to rule are known as the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan. (Bonus 100 points if you know the names of all three.)
What are Yata no Kagami (the mirror), Kusanagi no Tsurugi (the sword), and Yasakani no Magatama (the jewel)?
Talk about sibling rivalry! But these two “Motor Cities” have shared a close Sister City relationship since 1960.
What are Detroit and Toyota-shi?
This prefecture, located on the island of Shikoku, is known for its production of citrus fruit (top producer in Japan), and has a long history of paper production (Ozu washi), dating back to the Heian period.
What is Ehime?
Norman Mineta, a Japanese American who was interned at Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming as a child, was the government official who oversaw this massive ad-hoc operation as the US Transportation Secretary on September 11, 2001.
What is the operation to immediately ground all civilian aircraft?
President Biden’s favorite old fashioned English word for foolish talk AND A traditional Japanese dress
What is malarkey(i)mono?
This Japanese island is home to the world’s largest producer of pearls, and it has been known for its pearl diving women, called "ama," who have practiced the tradition for over 2,000 years.
What is Mikimoto Pearl Island?(located in Toba, Mie Prefecture).
This saintly US city has a twin, but it also established the very first US-Japan sister city relationship with this Japanese city in 1959, the same year the famous Urakami Cathedral was rebuilt there.
What are St. Paul and Nagasaki?
This westernmost prefecture of Japan is known for its deep-sea fishing and seafood industry, particularly its high-quality yellowtail tuna. It is also home to the beautiful and historical town of Karatsu.
What is Saga?
In 1944, miners in this state witnessed the detonation of a Japanese Fu-Go balloon bomb which had been launched from mainland Japan. It was the first known intercontinental weapon in the history of warfare. No one was hurt.
What is Wyoming?
This 10th-century Japanese author is often credited with writing the world's first novel, "The Tale of Genji." What is the name of this author?
Who is Murasaki Shikibu?