The Mitchell-Honbetsu Sister City Association is a volunteer group in Mitchell Shire that hosts people on cultural exchange and offers local residents a chance to experience Japan in a unique way.
The group hosts cultural exchanges between the City of Honbetsu in Japan and the Mitchell Shire.
The association’s Mike Phillips said the agreement was first forged because of similarities between the two places.
At the beginning, the agreement was with the Shire of Kilmore, but since the formation of Mitchell Shire in 1994, the association had broadened its base.
“There are a lot of similarities between the two towns, Kilmore and Honbetsu, with farming and agriculture and even just the geography of the area,” Mr Phillips said.
“They particularly wanted us, so we decided that ‘Yes, we would be’ and things have gone in leaps and bounds since then.”
Earlier this year, students and adults came from Japan to the Mitchell Shire as a part of the Japanese delegation of the association.
“They sent out a number of their people on individual visits throughout the year, and then decided that they would send a student delegation out in January this year, which went really well,” Mr Phillips said.
Now, the sister is returning the favour and is accepting registrations of interest from Mitchell Shire residents to visit Honbetsu, which is located on Hokkaido, Japan’s second-largest island, from September 26 to October 1.
September is a perfect time to visit, with moderate temperatures and the beauty of autumn splendour in the surrounding countryside.
Anyone residing in the Mitchell Shire is welcome to register their interest to be a part of the cultural exchange.
“We’re aiming for 16 (delegates),” Mr Phillips said.
He says that sometimes there were kids as young as four who became part of the delegation accompanied by their parents, but normally, the minimum would be 16 to 18 years old.
Two delegates, brothers, were 16 and 18 years old.
“They looked after themselves really well, so that wasn’t an issue,” Mr Phillips said.
“The younger ones went over with their parents.”
The delegation will meet in the capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo, on September 25 and travel by train to Honbetsu the next day.
The visitors will leave Honbetsu on October 1.
Whilst in Honbetsu, delegates are the guests of the town and will be well taken care of.
“They will often have a welcome party where you are introduced to various (groups),” Mr Phillips said.
“From there you get delegated out to your home-stay family.
“Depending on what other program are on, they would normally run a tour to somewhere.”
An information evening on the exchange will be held at NorCen House in Wallan on Wednesday, July 17 at 6.30pm.
“It’s just a unique opportunity to experience Japan from a different perspective by living with a Japanese family and not in a hotel,” Mr Phillips said.
“You do get a totally different feel of Japan itself, and then you get the real Japanese life.
“The people there are just so friendly, and they look after you really well.
“You basically don’t buy anything, and everything is sort of put on by the host family or the town council or the board of education.
“It’s just a unique opportunity to experience Japan just as a tourist.”
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