Wakayama, Japan:
The Sacred Mountains
Wakayama Children's Choir Visit
In March 2027, 25 members of the internationally acclaimed Wakayama Children's Choir will be visiting Bakersfield from Tuesday, March 16 to Friday March 19, 2027. We are looking for families who would be willing to host one or two students for 3 nights. Though all the students will speak some English, we always try to arrange the home-stays so that none of the younger students are "singles"; this helps both them and their host families to feel more comfortable. Because this visit would not be possible without host families for the students, the President of the Wakayama Children's Choir—Mr. Hiroyoshi Akedo—has asked us to confirm that we will have enough host families by December (when they must make their air reservations).
During their visit the choir will be performing at a daytime concert at a school TBD and visiting the Mayor's Office/City Hall and other sites around Bakersfield. In addition, they will be performing at an evening concert (date, time, & location still to be determined).
As home-stay hosts, you must be willing to transport students to the designated meeting point on each morning and pick them up at the end of the day (4:00 pm). In addition, you will need to pick up the students after the evening performance, which will begin at 7 pm. We will transport the students to all activities and to the concert dress rehearsal, after which we will provide them with dinner. They will have a very tight schedule, so hosts must be able to adhere to the schedule.
As for free-time activities with your family, this is a very short visit, so we have decided NOT to have a dinner that everyone would attend. Thus, the students will be free on Tuesday evening and either Wednesday or Thursday evening to spend time with your family. Prior to coming to Bakersfield, the students will visit the usual tourist attractions in the Los Angeles area (Disneyland, Santa Monica, etc.) And, when they depart on Friday, March 19, they will travel by Amtrak to Oakland, where they will be performing with a local choir there.
Those who have participated in the past in this home-stay program can tell you what a wonderfully rewarding experience it is. Often, these brief stays blossom into long-lasting friendships, even some multi-generational ones.
If you are willing to host students (March 16-19, 2027), please contact Ms. Bethany Fleisher at (209) 518-5235 (nemuri.hime@gmail.com). She will provide you with an application, which you will need to return as soon as possible (by Friday, December 4, 2026) to one of the addresses listed on the application or send it via e-mail.
If your family is selected to host we will contact you by Friday, February 12 with the time and place for an orientation meeting. After we have received the final list of Japanese students, we will match them with their hosts, and give you their names and contact info. At the meeting, we will discuss what you may expect to experience as hosts and answer any questions that you may have. We will also have more definite plans for group activities to share with you at that time.
Office of the Mayor · 1600 Truxtun Avenue · Bakersfield · CA · 93301
Bakersfield’s affiliation with Wakayama, Japan officially began when the Bakersfield City Council adopted Resolution 81-61 on August 21, 1961, establishing a friendship with the City of Wakayama, Japan. This action was shortly followed by Bakersfield Mayor Gene Winer appointing a People-to-People Steering Committee to oversee the Bakersfield-Wakayama Sister City relationship. Later, the Bakersfield Sister City Project Corporation was created. Very soon Bakersfield officials and citizens were traveling to our new Sister City, where they were overwhelmed by the friendly reception. In return, delegations from Wakayama began to visit Bakersfield, forming lasting friendships that continue to the present day.
Over the years, every Mayor of Bakersfield since 1964 has visited Wakayama, while very Mayor of Wakayama has visited Bakersfield. In addition, city council members and other civic officials from both cities have participated in a valuable exchange of ideas. Bakersfield officials and citizens have joined Wakayama in celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Wakayama Castle (1985), the 100th Anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Wakayama (1989), and the Resort Expo that marked the opening of the Marina City Resort (1994). In return, Wakayama delegations have participated in the Bicentennial Celebration (1976), and the 100th Anniversary of the City of Bakersfield (1998).
❋ A long lasting Friendship
❋ An UNESCO World Heritage SiteLocated in Wakayama Prefecture, Mount Kōyasan (高野山) is one of Japan’s most sacred religious centers and the spiritual heart of Shingon Buddhism. Founded in the early 9th century by the monk Kūkai, Kōyasan was established as a remote monastic complex designed for meditation, study, and the pursuit of enlightenment through esoteric practices.
At the center of Kōyasan’s spiritual landscape is Okunoin Cemetery, one of the largest and most revered cemeteries in Japan. It is believed that Kūkai did not die but entered eternal meditation here, and pilgrims travel from across the country to pay respects, walking through a forest of towering cedar trees and thousands of lantern-lined paths.
❋ Historical SignificanceDuring the Edo period, Wakayama Castle served as the seat of power for the Kii branch of the Tokugawa clan. From this hilltop stronghold, the Tokugawa family governed the surrounding region, linking Wakayama directly to the authority of the shogunate. The castle functioned as an administrative and political hub, where regional governance was coordinated. The castle still stands today, and is regularly available for tours.
❋ it has a cat train with a cat conductor
Along the Kishigawa Line, you can hop aboard a train by cats, for cats. And people. Mostly people, actually. The star behind it all is Tama, the cat-conductor. It doesn’t just stop there, however. You’ll be welcomed onto a cat themed train as you arrive through the cat themed railway station. Its the most adorable way to get around Wakayama Prefecture.
❋ Community SignificanceVisitor “home stays” with hosts and hostesses in both Wakayama City and in Bakersfield have been the key to enhancing cultural exchanges on many visits. Individuals in Bakersfield and in Wakayama have had the opportunity to develop deep friendships with their home stay families as well as others in the host community. In addition, cultural exchanges involving various performance groups and sports teams have involved hundreds of children from both Bakersfield and Wakayama over the years.
From the beginning the emphasis of this relationship has been on cultural exchanges, and especially on youth exchanges. Over the years, these exchanges have included swim, basketball, judo, and soccer teams from both Bakersfield and Wakayama.
The Chipman Junior High orchestra, the Norris and Fruitvale Junior Highs orchestras and choirs, the Rosedale Middle School and Freedom Middle School orchestras and choirs, and the Highlanders Ensemble have all traveled to Wakayama, where they performed with various musical groups from Wakayama. In addition, choirs from Bakersfield High, Highland High, West High, Chipman Junior High and the Panama-Buena Vista junior highs have all visited and performed in Wakayama.
In 1994, the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra performed at the Wakayama Resort Expo. In exchange, beginning in 1977, the Wakayama Children’s Choir has visited Bakersfield eight times, while the Nakanuma Ballet has visited six times. Both groups have performed free concerts for school children and have also joined local groups to perform evening concerts open to the public. In addition their have been numerous student and teacher exchanges, as well as visits by civic officials and school administrators from both cities.
1981 Chipman Choir
The Many Matsuri (Festivals) of Wakayama!
Wakamatsuri is a nearly 400 year-old traditional Matsuri held at Toshogu Shrine in the middle of May. One of the highlights of this festival is the “Mikoshi-Oroshi,” an event where a group runs down the shrine’s 108 steps while carrying a mikoshi (portable shrine). After that, a GYORETSU (parade) starts from Toshogu Shrine and goes around the Wakaura area. Participants wear traditional costumes and perform Japanese drums, traditional dance, and more. The parade has about 65 different `stages’ each featuring anywhere from 1 to 50 performers.
Kishu-odori Bundarabushi is Wakayama City’s most popular dancing Matsuri. It is held around Wakayama Castle at the beginning of August. More than 10 million people come and see this festival every year. Be a part of the fun and dance with us!
“to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation, one individual, one community at a time.”