Tacoma Kitakyushu Sister City Committee

Tacoma Kitakyushu Sister City Committee Kitakyushu has been a Tacoma's Sister City since 1959. The Kitakyushu area serves as a nucleus of industry, economy and culture for Western Japan.

In 1963 the five cities of Moji, Kokura, Wakamatsu, Yahata, and Tobata were amalgamated to form Kitakyushu, with a population of over 1 million. The city is framed by its natural beauty with clear blue seas to the green, lush mountains in the background. This city has many festivals, which date back into ancient history. Especially noteworthy are the three big Gion festivals that decorate the summ

er months and draw visitors from all over Japan. From its beginnings as the birthplace of Japan's iron and steel industry, Kitakyushu has grown into one of the largest iron and steel producing cities in Japan. In recent years, the city's value-added types of industry, such as the general machinery and electrical machinery industries, have been growing and the steel and raw materials industries have been diversifying into high processing and high value-added industries. On August of 2003, The "Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center" opened in 2003. Citizens and visitors are able to enjoy entertainment ranging from local low-budget theater groups to world-class orchestras. The center offers three different-sized halls with the versatility to accommodate a Kabuki play to a Broadway performance.

We hope you will join us! Thank you to our community partners!
04/16/2026

We hope you will join us!

Thank you to our community partners!

Please share! Children's Day is May 9th!
04/02/2026

Please share! Children's Day is May 9th!

We are so proud to present the latest progress on the new Shinto Shrine from Kitakyushu!
03/02/2026

We are so proud to present the latest progress on the new Shinto Shrine from Kitakyushu!

It’s time!
02/02/2026

It’s time!

Please join us for our sukiyaki fundraiser that we've held for nearly 65 years!

Historic news! Welcome Home!
01/08/2026

Historic news! Welcome Home!

Great news!Uwajimaya plans to return to Tacoma in 2027 with a large new store at Tacoma Centre, located in the former Ho...
01/06/2026

Great news!

Uwajimaya plans to return to Tacoma in 2027 with a large new store at Tacoma Centre, located in the former Hobby Lobby space, marking a significant homecoming for the historic Asian grocer that started in Tacoma's Japantown nearly 100 years ago.

The new location will be at 3130 S. 23rd St. and is expected to start construction in July 2026, with an $8 million build-out planned. source: Puget Sound Business Journal

Uwajimaya is expanding into Pierce County, proposing a large-format store at Tacoma Centre.

Yay for Kitakyushu!
09/27/2025

Yay for Kitakyushu!

When exiting Kitakyushu's Kokura Station, the first Shinkansen bullet train stop on the island of Kyushu, you are welcomed by a majestic green mountai

09/19/2025

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