The St. Louis-Suwa Sister City Committee

Directions Contact the organization

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.

08/18/2026

Volunteer sign-up here! We appreciate your support!

Merch booth: Sell various Japanese accouterments, explain the committee and its work to potential new members, and sell lanterns. You will be inside with air conditioning and chairs for 2-hour shifts, 9am-6pm throughout the weekend. This year, we will be joined by a delegation from Suwa. If you are comfortable with English and Japanese, we could use your help to make sure our guests are comfortable. Sign up for the merch booth (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA9AC2FA1FFC52-64897858-japanese #/).

Toro Nagashi: Help sell, prepare, and launch lanterns in the lake in the Japanese Garden. It's a gorgeous outdoor event and a lot of fun. 4-hour shift, 6pm-10pm, Sep 5 or 6. Sign up for Toro Nagashi (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA9AC2FA1FFC52-64897857-japanese #/).

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

Address

St. Louis, MO

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The St. Louis-Suwa Sister City Committee posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The St. Louis-Suwa Sister City Committee:

Shortcuts

Share

Category