A friendship since 1977
Our Mission
The Hood River-Tsuruta sister city program was established in July of 1977. For nearly 50 years, its mission has been to promote friendship and cultural understanding between the communities of Hood River, Oregon, USA and Tsuruta, Aomori, Japan.
In addition to student exchanges, Hood River-Tsuruta Sister City, Inc. (a 501.c.3) provides college tuition scholarships for graduates of Hood River Valley High School. Scholarship information is available through the Hood River County Education Foundation: https://eschol.hrcef.org/hood-river-tsuruta-sister-city-scholarship/.
Background
Tsuruta is located on Japan’s main island, Honshu, in the Aomori Prefecture. Hood River and Tsuruta share much in common. Both communities are on the banks of a river with a volcanic peak nearby, and are surrounded by working orchards.
Annual exchanges typically include week-long visits to Hood River by both middle- and high school students from Tsuruta. Student groups from Hood River visit Tsuruta during summer break in two-year intervals. Elected officials and other delegates from Hood River and Tsuruta participate in exchanges in five-year intervals.
In 2024, student exchanges were reestablished following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic
Goals
Continue to follow through with the program’s mission.
And, celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary in 2027!