The St. Louis-Suwa Sister City Committee

The St. Louis-Suwa Sister City Committee Official organization for sister city relations between Suwa, Nagano, Japan and St. Louis, Missouri, United States The St.

Louis-Suwa Sister City Committee has worked to strengthen friendships and cultural ties with Japan through its relationship with Suwa, Japan, in Nagano Prefecture for the past 40 years. The committee participates in a number of exchange programs and cultural events, including the Missouri Botanical Garden's Japanese Festival, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States.

05/02/2026

We're proud to announce Yosotose: St. Louis Osuwa Taiko's 40th Anniversary performance on June 20th. More details on the show soon including ticket sales!

St. Louis Osuwa Taiko has brought the art of Japanese taiko drumming to St. Louis and the Midwest for 40 years, making them one of the oldest Japanese drumming ensembles in North America. For one night only, come celebrate four decades of comradery, rhythm, and community.

The story began in 1986, when Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi – the first to arrange Japanese drums in an ensemble style – traveled from Suwa, Japan to its sister city of St. Louis, gifting the city with a set of taiko. From those first beats grew a community-focused nonprofit organization that has spent four decades performing, teaching, and serving as a cultural connection between St. Louis and Japan.

This anniversary show honors that legacy with an evening of dynamic drumming, sweeping choreography, and the electrifying energy that has made St. Louis Osuwa Taiko a beloved institution. From thunderous oroshis to intricate solos, every strike of the taiko carries 40 years of St. Louis spirit.

04/02/2026

Newspaper article on recent student exchange

Thank you so much to those who volunteered at the booth and the lantern festival! Hope you had a lot of fun!Also, thank ...
09/04/2025

Thank you so much to those who volunteered at the booth and the lantern festival! Hope you had a lot of fun!
Also, thank you to Suwa Delegation to come to the Japanese Festival all the way! It was great honor to have you here!

The Japanese Festival is this weekend! Here are our raffle baskets for this year so come visit the booth and buy a ticke...
08/30/2025

The Japanese Festival is this weekend!

Here are our raffle baskets for this year so come visit the booth and buy a ticket (or several) for your chance to win!

We also have other items for sale and as always we will have the lanterns so you can send off a message to a departed loved one.

The earnings go towards the student exchange program so no matter what you get, it's helping students share in cultures.

Come by and see us Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday!!!

The Japanese Festival is two weeks away! We will lead the Merch booth and the Lantern Festival again this year, and we'd...
08/15/2025

The Japanese Festival is two weeks away! We will lead the Merch booth and the Lantern Festival again this year, and we'd appreciate your participation as volunteers! (Thank you, those who have already signed up!!) Please sign up below!

Merch booth: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA9AC2FA1FFC52-57496769-japanese #/

Lantern Festival: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA9AC2FA1FFC52-57496768-japanese #/

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

Happy faces from Shinnenkai tonight. A toast to another year of success and prosperity 🥂
01/13/2025

Happy faces from Shinnenkai tonight. A toast to another year of success and prosperity 🥂

01/07/2025

Happy New Year from STL, snow wonderland!
Two announcements:
1. **SSSCC New Year's Party (Shinnenkai)** – Join us this Sunday, the 12th, at 4 PM at Linda's House for a fun celebration! If you’d like to attend but don't have the address, please send us a PM. Dinner will be potluck and Bring Your Own Beverage, so bring a dish or drink to share!

2. **2025 Suwa Outbound Trip – Application Deadline** – The deadline to apply is Monday, January 13th. If you know someone interested, please spread the word. A recommendation letter from a teacher is required, so don't wait—start the process now!

A host family is wanted in St. Louis! Please help this group!Dr. Hisako Matsuo, from SLU, is looking for a host family f...
12/24/2024

A host family is wanted in St. Louis! Please help this group!

Dr. Hisako Matsuo, from SLU, is looking for a host family for an exchange student from Notre Dame High School in Kyoto. Two students will attend Rosati Kain Academy (RKA) from Jan - March, 2025. However, only one host family has been found. Notre Dame High School in Kyoto is Dr. Matsuo's alma mater and she is helping out with this program. Please see the flyer below. RKA is next to the Cathedral in the Central West End.
It would be great to find a family in Central West End or a family who has an RKA student or a family member who commutes to CWD. If you know anyone, please let Dr. Matsuo ([email protected]) know, and also feel free to share the flyer with anyone that may be interested.

Thank you!

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St. Louis, MO

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