Kato, Japan’s relationship with Olympia, Washington, as sister cities began in 1982, officially recognized through a signed agreement. Today, the city of Kato includes the districts Yashiro, Takino and Tojo, and is located in the Hyogo Prefecture. In honor of the union of the sister cities, Olympia created the beautiful Yashiro Japanese Garden, still open to guests today, free of charge.
In 1956, President Eisenhower founded Sister Cities International, an organization that encourages U.S. cities to partner with similar cities from other parts of the world. The two cities work together to encourage travel and to learn about each other. They partner to create spaces open to community creativity, learning and working.
The relationship between the cities is overseen by the Olympia Kato Sister City Association with the goal of connecting the cities, from individual relationships to government ones. Contact them to become an ambassador (both student and adult ambassadors) or for more information on how to be a part of the sister city vibe.
Travel to Kato, Japan, to further this one-of-a-kind bond and explore the culture of the country.
Travel From Olympia to Kato, Japan, in Any Season
Get a taste of each season in Kato with changing fall colors, crisp winter views, springtime cherry blossoms and warm summer days at the lake.
One of the places to grasp the season is at the Ontakesan Banshukiyomizu Temple. This hillside Buddhist temple is hundreds of years old. Vast grounds filled with brilliant oranges and reds in the fall, the temple has been restored fully and is open to the public.
Insiders tip: Hire a guide to really understand the history of this fascinating temple.
If you want to feel like royalty, visit Himeji Castle in the spring. The castle is a UNESCO world heritage site. “In many ways it is the crown jewel of local tourist destinations in Japan,” says Olympia Kato Sister City Association President Timothy Grisham. “It’s up there with the Duomo in Florence. It is a grand building in a beautiful location. It is particularly great to visit during cherry blossom season.”
Summertime is similar to that of Olympia as well. Golf courses and country clubs dot the map of Kato heavily, giving a hint at the popularity of the sport. A beautiful hill of sunflowers displays itself between June and August in Kato, a picture-perfect scene for travelers. People take to Lake Tojo in the warmer temperatures, playing on the shore, swimming, fishing and even boating.
Restaurants and Accommodations in Kato, Japan for Washington Travelers
There is one thing that is definitely different: their theme park. The Omocha Okoku Theme Park and Hotel Green Plaza sit adjacent to the lake and is a dream for kids on vacation. And with the amenities offered, it’s a dream for adults too. With the park merely steps away from the hotel, getting to and from the amusement is simple.
Breakfast and dinner are included with the stay. The restaurant not only has an extensive kid’s menu, they also offer baby food options. If you miss a meal because your child is sleeping, the restaurant will accommodate you. The entire experience is very child oriented. A great place to bring the family when visiting Kato.
Waters from hot springs are brought into the Yuplaza bath house at Omocha Okoku. Guests can pick from several soaking options, even one that allows you to lay down while soaking. Relaxation and safety are key at this Japanese resort.
In Japan, dinners are often presented in an organized, plated meal called Kaiseki, which can get very complex and artistic. Yashiro Gaya’s most popular choice is the Tamatebako. It is served with 9 dishes, and is accompanied with an appetizer, soup, coffee and dessert. “Shisenramen and Kotobooki are [also] really good,” explains Grisham.
How To Get to Kato, Japan, From Olympia, Washington
Breaking international trips up into shorter segments is always a plus. It adds the ability to spend time in a new country on a longer layover. To do this, depart from SeaTac and make a pit stop at Haneda Airport, right outside of Tokyo, Japan.
For those wondering. Yes, you can leave the airport in Japan during a long layover. Since you’ve snagged your visa on your way through customs, you may go outside of the airport to explore. Remember to consider luggage stowage, if necessary and factor in time to get back through security in line with your departure.
With a layover under 8 hours, you would have time to take a relaxing dip in the Black Hot Springs at Hasunuma Onsen. Different from other hot springs, the dark water comes from the interaction with humic acid, creating a highly moisturizing effect on the skin.
With a longer layover go see what Tokyo is famous for, Shibuya Crossing. Grab some ramen at Ichiban Shibuya, hit up some vending machines and head to Shibuya Sky to truly see why this crossing is so popular. Trains, cars, pedestrians all simultaneously in motion, with giant buildings jutting up around the chaos, controlled merely by small lights flashing from one color to the next.
Layovers from Haneda Airport can be as short as a couple of hours, so continuing on the journey without leaving the airport is an option as well.
Fly into Kansai Airport next, where you’ll take a train, the Hareka Line, to Aino. From there it is a short car service into Kato.
Finding a sister city is more than just pairing two places in different countries. “The two share similarities,” says Grisham. “They’ve grown tremendously. Kato has grown because of a merging of three cities. They are an hour from Osaka. We are an hour from Seattle. Even the weather is similar. It is just a very pretty region. It has rolling hills, a beautiful lake. It’s like Capitol Forest in a way.”
For more information about our sister city, visit the Olympia Kato Sister City Association website.
