The City of Huntington Beach and the Huntington Beach Sister City Association were thrilled to welcome an adult delegation as well as the exchange program students from our Sister City Anjo, Japan. On Monday, July 3, the adult delegation arrived in Huntington Beach and attended a welcome luncheon at the Senior Center in Central Park. The Mayor of Anjo, the Consul General, Anjo citizens and the City Council Members enjoyed the company of the Sister City Board of Directors, volunteer homestay hosts, and representatives from the City of Huntington Beach. The Sister City Association organized a brief ceremony, including a gift exchange between the two cities to commemorate 40 years of the Sister City relationship. The Mayor of Anjo was also honored to participate in the City’s 119th Annual Independence Day Parade.

The student delegation, hosted by the families of the Huntington Beach students selected to participate in the exchange program, also enjoyed participating in the annual 4th of July parade. Throughout their stay, the students were treated to traditional Southern California activities, such as a beach bonfire, Angels baseball game, and a trip to Disneyland. The Sister City Association hosted a festive “Sayonara Party” to celebrate the trip and provide one more opportunity for the families to gather together before the Anjo students returned home to Japan. This was the first student delegation post-pandemic, and it generated wonderful feedback from the host families and exchange students.

The City of Huntington Beach would like to thank all of the volunteers who contributed to welcoming both delegations from Anjo, Japan. The students from Huntington Beach will be traveling to Anjo at the end of July, and we look forward to hearing about their adventures upon their return.