一関市

The Ichinoseki International Exchange Association holds various kinds of seminars including Japanese and English lessons, and events for international exchange. Also carries out exchange with Austria, such as through its involvement in the Hiraizumi – Ichinoseki International Music Festival, at which the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra play.

Traditional dance at a festival for international exchange	International Music Festival on the grounds of Chusonji Temple, one of the sites in neighboring Hiraizumi listed as world-heritage. Concert held this year on June 28.

Yuu no Kai/ゆうの会

“Yuu no Kai” holds Japanese language classes for foreigners, children and anyone in need of Japanese language support.
They hold events to introduce Japanese culture, and for foreign learners of Japanese to introduce food from their home country.
Yuu no Kai also hold workshops at schools, civic centers and so on to promote mutual understanding and a multi-cultural society.

At a Japanese class	At a class for elementary students about multi-cultural understanding

Higashiyama International Exchange Association/東山国際交流協会

The Higashiyama International Exchange Association holds various events for foreign residents, and carries out support for Nepal by co-operating with the Higashiyama UNESCO Association.

At a cooking class for residents	Chatting and eating!

Murone International Exchange Club/むろね国際交流クラブ

The Murone International Exchange Club holds various events for international exchange, including ones workshops about living in Murone, Halloween parties, cooking events for multi-cultural understanding, and so on.

A Christmas Party for learners of Japanese

Kawasaki 21st Century International Exchange Club/川崎21世紀国際交流クラブ

The Kawasaki 21st Century International Exchange Club holds various events for international exchange, including Japanese classes, food festivals, cherry blossom viewing parties, and Christmas parties.

At a Japanese class	At the2014 One World Festa in Kawasaki
At a food festival	At an event for exchange

Ichinoseki-Hiraizumi Egypt-Luxor Friendship Association/一関・平泉地域エジプトルクソール友好協会

The Ichinoseki-Hiraizumi Egypt-Luxor Friendship Association carries out exchange with Egypt through seminars about Egypt and by group visits to the country. The Kitakami River, the fourth longest river in Japan and also flows through Ichinoseki, has formed a “sister river” agreement with the Nile River in Africa, which flows through Egypt.

On a visit to Egypt	At a seminar about world affairs and praying for peace

Fujisawa International Friendship Association

The Fujisawa International Friendship Association runs the annual home stay program on behalf of Ichinoseki City which sees junior high school students visit Ichinoseki’s sister city in Australia, the Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) in Queensland, and high school students from the CHRC come to do homestays in Ichinoseki.
The association also carries out an exchange program with Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most distinguished university in Vietnam. The program invites learners of Japanese at the university to visit Japan and Ichinoseki.
The association celebrated its 30th anniversary in November, 2013.

High school students from the CHRC with Mayor Osamu Katsube	A photo exhibition held to celebrate the association’s 30th anniversary
Party held to celebrate the 30th anniversary with guests from Australia and Vietnam