POCATELLO — The cities of Iwamizawa, Japan, and Pocatello share a number of similarities. Both are on the same longitude and latitude, are major railroad towns and have strong agricultural influences — while Southeast Idaho is famous for potatoes, Iwamizawa grows onions.
What they share most since becoming Sister Cities are groups of young people.
During the next two weeks, 10 teenagers from Iwamizawa will experience American culture through their host families and events sponsored by the city. The visitors met at City Hall on Wednesday to start their American adventure.
Rito Ishii, 15, was among the crew that met at city headquarters before a day of miniature golf at Outback Golf Park, followed by pizza and shopping.
The youths were treated to a barbecue hosted by Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad Monday.
Ishii’s host parents are Johnny and Deanna Kitner, their daughter, Kaylee Kitner, 14, just returned from a two-week stay in the sister city of Iwamizawa.
Johnny, who serves as the chairman for the Sister Cities Committee, was on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan and his wife said he fell in love with the people and the culture.
During the meeting Wednesday, Kaylee donned a colorful yukata, the traditional two-piece Japanese dress that is tied with a sash called an obi.
“In Japan the obi is tied much tighter,” Kaylee said.
Kaylee said the Japanese family that hosted her during her stay introduced her to Japanese culture and tradition.
“Everyone was very caring,” Kaylee said. “I don’t think anyone that went had a bad time.”
Danielle Wooley was also part of the American youth delegation that traveled to Iwamizawa last month. She opted for more casual dress Wednesday and turned out in a jimbe, light cotton shorts and a loose fitting tunic.
Abi White also made the trip to Japan, and she said it was hard to leave the friends she made there.
“The host families really, honestly care about you,” she said.
Heather Sandy and her husband, Curtis, served as chaperones for the American teens who traveled to Iwamizawa last month.
Sandy said the Sister Cities collaboration was launched 35 years ago by former Mayor Dean Funk.
The teens submitted an application to the committee and spent an entire year raising money to pay for their trip — air fare to Japan is $2,100. The teens are briefed in language and Japanese culture prior to their trip.
Heather said during their two-week stay, the young Japanese delegation will visit Yellowstone National Park and Island Park. The teens will also take part in the Grand Entry procession at the Shoshone-Bannock Festival this month.
Some of the kids were feeling under the weather Wednesday. Heather said the combination of 30 hours of traveling and heavy American food meant some kids spent the day recuperating from the long trip instead of seeing the sites of Pocatello.
Heather said Japanese citizens eat less red meat, more fish and smaller portions than residents of their Sister City, Pocatello.
While cultural practices such as toilets, which in Japan are basically holes in the floor, and the long-time tradition of segregated public baths, differ from Pocatello, Heather said the teens also share a number of commonalities such as music, cellphones and shopping.
“They love the ocean and they love barbecuing,” Heather said. “And of course shopping.”
Moe Ito, 14, said it was her first time in the U.S.
Ito gave American food two thumbs up and said she was anxious to experience hip-hop dance American style.
While she didn’t know what to expect when she arrived in Pocatello, Ito said her host family made her feel at home.
“Everyone was very bright and friendly, and they have a wonderful home,” Ito said.
Ito said that American kids are less shy than most Japanese teenagers.
Diana Loveland, a member of the Sister Cities Committee, also served as an interpreter during Wednesday’s meeting.
Noriyuki Sato served as a chaperone for the Japanese youth.
Sato learned English in Canada 13 years ago and said it was his second time in the United States — keeping track of 10 teenagers in a strange country is difficult, but he said adjusting to American food was the most challenging thing he faced.