Blog: Rekindling friendship and forging new paths in Nishiwaki, Japan
Published on November 13, 2025
By Mayor Armondo Pavone
In October, I had the honor of leading a delegation from Renton to our Sister City of Nishiwaki, Japan. This visit marked a meaningful re-establishment of our city-to-city relationship and opened exciting new doors—particularly focused around a culinary exchange. While the trip served an official purpose, it also allowed for direct conversations about future collaboration.
A key member of our delegation was Dr. Yoshiko Harden, President of Renton Technical College (RTC), who joined us to explore the potential for a culinary exchange program. Her insights and leadership helped shape the foundation for what we hope will become a long-term partnership between RTC and culinary institutions in Nishiwaki.
Day 1: A warm welcome and shared history
Our first day began with a scenic drive from Osaka through the countryside, where we arrived at Nishiwaki City Hall and were greeted by their whole staff. We were escorted to a formal meeting hosted by Nishiwaki Mayor Shozo Katayama and their full cabinet, including the Council President, department heads, and their International Goodwill & Exchange Association (similar to our Chamber of Commerce) leadership.
We exchanged personal gifts and speeches that honored our shared history and looked ahead to future collaboration. Nishiwaki honored us with gifts representing their city, in the form of textiles as well as records from the early days of our relationship. Our gifts to them included a Renton calendar showcasing scenic views of our city, a city-produced magazine highlighting our community, and our signature soccer balls celebrating the upcoming World Cup. I presented a red and white, hand-blown glass bud vase to Mayor Katayama, and our delegation members exchanged their own thoughtful gifts with their counterparts.
We visited the local police station, where we met the Chief and officers on duty. We had a special moment exchanging challenge coins and patches given by a member of our delegation who serves as a Washington State patrol officer — one of many gestures that underscored the sincerity of our renewed bond.
That evening, their Goodwill Association hosted a welcome dinner, where more councilmembers joined us. Once again, we shared stories, exchanged gifts, and reaffirmed our commitment to our partnership.
Day 2: Celebrating milestones and culinary vision
On our second day, we traveled to Kyoto to learn more about their culture and experience some of their scenic and sacred sites.
After this, we attended a special meal hosted by a local restaurant owner along with their Goodwill Association leadership. This was when we had our initial conversations about the proposed culinary exchange program which included the chef and owner of the restaurant whose brother currently operates a culinary program in California. We discussed potential partnerships involving chefs and their regional restaurant organization – prior to our trip we connected Dr. Harden (RTC) with Scott Lane, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington and their executive chef, as an example. To symbolize our shared intent, we presented aprons to our hosts with the aspiration of seeing them worn by members in the future exchange program.
Day 3: Cultural immersion and shared aspirations
Day three offered a deeper dive into Nishiwaki’s culture with their Sister City, and leadership and members of their Goodwill Association. We donned traditional wardrobe and walked through Nishiwaki to learn more about their economy while doing some local shopping at their textile outlet. We enjoyed a traditional meal after changing out of our attire.
In the afternoon we participated in their city’s 20th anniversary celebration of their annexation. The event was opened by a fashion show to honor their textile industry as well as the talent of their local designers. Multiple speeches were delivered by city leaders and honors were presented to members of the community. Our delegation members were treated as guests of honor and played a part of Mayor Katayama’s speech. I had a role on stage as an honored guest along with the mayor from their other sister city. As part of our effort to join in the celebration, I had prepared a video message celebrating their anniversary that is now playing on a loop in their city hall lobby.
After this celebration, we dove right back into our culinary exchange exploration by spending the remainder of the day at a sake farm and brewery where we learned about the industry’s history and the city’s involvement in supporting this budding industry and unique approach to rice farming.
That evening, we were treated to a dinner featuring the local sake and Kobe beef. We dined again with the mayor, the restaurant owner/chef, and the sake brewer. We discussed the Kobe beef farm-to-table model and reaffirmed our shared vision for the culinary exchange—once again sealing it with aprons in the hopes of seeing them in the future, perhaps in that very restaurant!
On our final day, we made a stop at the World Expo which was happening in Osaka while we were there, where we enjoyed another meal and explored the expo.
Final day: Farewell and forward momentum
The mayor, councilmembers, and staff met us at our hotel to say goodbye. I extended a formal invitation to their group to join us in Renton for the next exchange, and in the meantime, I am committed to moving the culinary exchange program forward, along with Dr. Harden.
We said our farewells to our hosts Mayor Katayama, Mr. Harada, Mr. Nakano, Ms. Hayasaki, Mr. Shimada, Mr. Asai, and Ms. Mayumi, all of whom made our trip truly rewarding.
All in all, this visit was more than a ceremonial gesture—it was a reaffirmation of friendship and a launchpad for what is sure to be unique and exciting element of our workforce pipeline in Renton. Special thanks to Dr. Harden from RTC and all who joined us to explore the culinary program potential. With her involvement and the enthusiasm of our Nishiwaki partners, we are confident that exciting opportunities lie ahead.