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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2508-5052CITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Monday, August 18, 2025 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM     Agenda Item     3.Celebrating the Palo Alto Tsuchiura Marathon Runner and Receiving the Neighbors Abroad Annual Report Title Updated, No Late Packet Report Issued, Presentation City Council Staff Report Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY Lead Department: City Manager Meeting Date: August 18, 2025 Report #:2508-5052 TITLE Celebrating the Palo Alto Tschiura Marathon Runner and Receiving the Neighbors Abroad Annual Report This will be a late packet report published on Thursday, August 14, 2025 APPROVED BY: Ed Shikada, City Manager August 2025 2 42K Tsuchiura – Palo Alto’s Sister City in Japan §Tsuchiura is a city on the shore of the Lake Kasumigaura in eastern Japan, about one hour by train from Tokyo §Tsuchiura and Palo Alto have been sister cities since 2009, and have a middle school exchange program that has run since 1993 §Every April, the Kasumigaura Marathon and International Blind Marathon is held in Tsuchiura §Through the Neighbors Abroad program, Tsuchiura sponsors a Palo Alto runner each year at the marathon Tsuchimaru (Tsuchiura’s mascot) 3 42K Some of Tsuchiura’s Famous Attractions Hobikisen Wooden Boats on Lake Kasumigaura Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition Sakura (and the Ring Ring Road Cycling Path) Shibanuma Soy Sauce (Established in 1688) Lotus Flowers at Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park 4 42K The Team Introduced Me to Local Sites Ring Ring Road Cycling Path Tsuchiura Castle and Downtown (Sakura in Bloom Heading into Golden Week) Tulips and Windmill at the Lake Park 120m Tall Buddha at Ushiku DaibutsuMeditation at Kojo-an Temple 5 42KTown Officials, the International Association, and the Tsuchiura Schools Extended a Warm Welcome Meeting Mayor Ando and the Tsuchiura City Leadership Dinner with the International Association Team Lunch in Tokyo with Nakajima-sensei (founder of the exchange program) Students who Visited Palo Alto and Endo-sensei at JHS 2 6 42K Meeting the Host Familes from the Tsuchiura – Palo Alto Exchange The Kozawa Family – Shohei visited Palo Alto in 2019 The Nakaya Family – Yuna visited Palo Alto in 2023 The Ozeki Family – Tsubasa visited Palo Alto in 2018 7 42K And…Running the Marathon! At the Start with Yuki Kawauchi (2018 Boston Marathon Winner – He Won the Race!) Mid-Run (I finished in 3:46) Brilliant Support from International Association and Host Families 8 42K A Massive Thanks to the Tsuchiura International Exchange Team!!! Thank you Kozawa-san, Ozeki-san, Onuki-San, Araki-san, Nakaizumi-San, and Fujimura-san!