Encinitas Sister City Program: 2019 Amakusa Student Exchange

From July 29 through Aug. 4, six students and a teacher from Amakusa, Japan are visiting Encinitas as a part of Encinitas’ 30-year-long sister city relationship with Amakusa. The visiting students, teacher and host families are participating in a variety of special activities throughout the week. Photos on this page were taken July 30 at “Meet the Mayor,” a City Hall visit to meet Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear. Participants also took a walking tour of downtown Encinitas.

The community will have the opportunity to celebrate the Sister City relationship between Encinitas and Amakusa at the 10th Annual Japan Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 1-4 p.m. at the Encinitas Library.

Amakusa is located on the southwest tip of Japan and was chosen as a Sister City for its similarities to Encinitas as a beautiful small, coastal community. The purpose of the Encinitas Sister City Program is to promote a greater understanding and respect between the citizens of Encinitas and Amakusa by enriching the cultural and economic resources of each city through the planning and implementation of programs that foster mutual understanding, respect and goodwill.

Photos by McKenzie Images