Toyokawa, Japan
The grove of cherry trees in Cupertino’s Memorial Park serves as a living symbol of friendship with Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan. Following the signing of a formal sister city agreement in 1978, Cupertino sent Toyokawa a gift of 25 Coastal Redwood tree seedlings in 1979. In 1983, 200 cherry trees arrived in Cupertino from Toyokawa. Memorial Park also features two large stone lanterns from Toyokawa, which are among the many gifts exchanged over the years.
Student Exchange Program
Interchanges between the two cities span cultural, fine arts, civic, commercial and education activities and events. A key activity is the Student Exchange Program begun in 1979. Each Autumn, middle school students from Toyokawa travel to Cupertino with their chaperones. They are guests of Cupertino and the Cupertino Union School District. Then, each spring, selected seventh and eighth-grade students from Cupertino visit Toyokawa with their chaperones, in a similar exchange.
2024 Toyokawa student delegation.
Disaster Assistance
Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, Cupertino provided $28,500 in disaster assistance funding to Toyokawa, which did not suffer direct physical impact but assisted in disbursing the funds to those in need. The Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities Committee served as the focal point for donations from individuals and organizations in the community. Funds were collected through direct donations, school projects, T-shirt sales, and the annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival.
More information on Disaster Relief.(PDF, 628KB)