About
We are a group of like-minded individuals who live in Carmel that come together to celebrate Japanese and American cultures to enrich the lives of those in our community and develop friendships with our partners in Kawachinagano.
History of the Partnership
In 1992, international exchange activities began in Kawachinagano, Osaka, Japan. Among them was a project called the Kawachinagano City Internationalization Policy Plan. A proposal was created to form a Sister City relationship between the two cities, because Carmel Junior High and Carmel High school already established a long-term Sister City school relationship with a high school in Kawachinagano.
In 1993, Kawachinagano City sent its Friendship City Research Group to Carmel, Indiana. Based on the results of their findings, they decided Carmel would be Kawachinagano’s Sister City. The research group based part of their decision on Carmel’s similarities in areas such as environment, nature, and educational interests.
On April 8, 1994, the signing of the Sister City agreement was held at Lovely Hall in Kawachinagano, Osaka, Japan. The next day, Carmel Sister Cities Inc. and the Kawachinagano International Friendship Association (KIFA) drew up an agreement regarding future city activities.
About Kawachinagano
Kawachinagano Station, Kōya Kaido, Mikanodai, Kongō-ji, Mikkaichi Station, Kanshin-ji, Takihata 48 Waterfalls, View of Center in Kawachinagano (Photo credit: National Land Image Information, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
Mount Koya (photo credit: 663highland)
Kawachinagano has played an important role in the history of the Kansai region for well over 1,000 years and some of its myths and legends go back to the foundation of the very first kingdom of Japan. Jimmu-Tenno, the legendary first emperor is thought to have camped out with his army on a small hillside during his attempt to conquer the land of Yamato.
Now home to about 100,000 people, Kawachinagano is a suburb of Osaka and one of the top 20 cities with the highest number of national treasures in Japan. Nearby is a UNESCO World Heritage site, Koya-san, or Mount Koya. This large temple settlement is the birthplace and current home of Shingon Buddhism.