Hyogo Prefecture

Itami City, Itami Municipal Library, Zugaike Park

In 1912, Japan gifted cherry trees to the U.S. Understock, grown in Itami, was used for this present. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of this event, a descendant of those trees, now growing in Washington, D.C., was planted in the courtyard of Itami Municipal Library. Alongside the cherry tree, on March 25, 2013, one Friendship Blossoms dogwood was also planted in the courtyard of Itami Municipal Library.

On October 21, 2013, 20 Friendship Blossom dogwoods were planted at Zugaike Park in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture. Zugaike Park is a prominent cherry blossom viewing site in Itami and is home to descendants of the trees gifted to the U.S. in 1912.

Nishinomiya City, Kwansei Gakuin University

On February 23, 2015, 20 out of 24 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted on three Hyogo campuses of Kwansei Gakuin University. (The other four trees were planted on the Osaka campus, see below). Kwansei Gakuin undertakes many international education and cooperation programs. Currently, it has exchange arrangements with 164 universities worldwide, including 45 U.S. universities. The planting and the care of dogwood trees at Kwansei Gakuin embody their school motto "Mastery for Service" and symbolizes KGU's goal to produce creative and talented world citizens.

Kyoto Prefecture

Nagaokakyo City, Nishiyama Tennozan Station

Nagaokakyo City and Arlington, MA began their sister city relationship in 1984, over 30 years ago. Since that time, they've facilitated international exchange through mutual visits, including city officials, student groups, and others. The planting of 30 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees in February 2015 at Nishiyama Tennozan Station symbolizes the strong bonds of friendship between the two cities. 

Mie Prefecture

Ise City, Grand Ise Shrine

On April 16, 2014, 32 Friendship Blossoms dogwoods were planted in the Inner Shrine of the Grand Ise Shrine. This wonderful occasion was attended by Ambassador Kennedy, who also took part in the planting. Ise Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, is one of the holiest places in Japan. The presence of Friendship Blossoms in such a treasured location is a true honor and a sign of the commitment found between our two nations. We look forward to seeing Ise's Friendship Blossoms bloom in the coming years. 

Tsu City, Mie University

Tsu City is the capital of Mie Prefecture, in southern Kyushu. The Tsu City plantings were organized in part by the Miss Mie Friendship Association which was founded to preserve the relationships Tsu City has fostered between Japan and the U.S. since 1927. The Tsu City planting was held on April 26, 2013 at Mie University. The event was attended by Mr. Atsumasa Uchida and Mr. Hiroshi Ehara, president and vice-president (respectively) of Mie University, Mr. Takekazu Takebayashi, chairman of the Miss Mie Friendship Association and president of the Federation of Mie Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with Mr. Harry Sullivan of the American Consulate in Nagoya, and Ms. Paige Cottingham-Streater and Ms. Jean Falvey of the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation. Trees were dedicated at the University, a municipal library, and nine local elementary schools. In the application to receive dogwoods, the Miss Mie Friendship Association described their desire for ongoing friendship between our two countries, writing that "students and faculty will maintain and preserve the dogwood trees alongside flowers and cherry blossoms already present. The dogwood trees will be passed down from generation to generation, just as the current trees, to be preserved as long as the school exists.”

Toba City, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Citizens’ Forest

Toba City is located in Mie Prefecture, on southern Kyushu. Toba City has long historical ties to the ocean and is home to the famous female ama pearl divers as well as the Mikimoto Pearl Island, the location of the first cultured pearls in 1893. Toba City has also contributed to the U.S. National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. and is a sister city of Santa Barbara, California. The Toba City plantings took place May 7, 2013 at the Mikimoto Pearl Island and the Citizens' Forest in Hinoyama Park.

Osaka Prefecture

Hirakata City, Kansai Gaidai University

Since Kansai Gaidai University (KGU) started student exchanges with the University of Arkansas in 1968, international exchange programs have expanded drastically with the support of the U.S. Government and institutions. Since 1968, 19,093 KGU students have studied in the U.S. out of a total of 38,689 KGU study abroad students. The planting of 20 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees in May 2015 commemorated the 70th Anniversary of Kansai Gaidai University. PHOTO

Osaka City, Kwansei Gakuin University

On February 23, 2015, four out of 24 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted on the Osaka campus of Kwansei Gakuin University. (The other 20 trees were planted on three Hyogo campuses, see above). Kwansei Gakuin undertakes many international education and cooperation programs. Currently, it has exchange arrangements with 164 universities worldwide, including 45 U.S. universities. The planting and the care of dogwood trees at Kwansei Gakuin embody their school motto "Mastery for Service" and symbolizes KGU's goal to produce creative and talented world citizens. 

Shiga Prefecture

Otsu City, Ojigaoka Park, Oji Mountain Athletic Park

In 1968, Otsu and Lansing, MI established a sister city relationship. The mayor of Otsu, Naomi Koshi, deeply values the U.S.-Japan relationship and hopes the strong friendship will continue for many years to come. To celebrate their relationship, 20 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Otsu in November of 2015.