By Khalida Sarwari
A group of officials from Muko, Saratoga’s sister city in Japan, recently paid a three-day visit, squeezing in time for burgers and a game of bridge while they were here.
Among the guests were Muko Mayor Mamoru Yasuda and Tokiko Kushima, a dancer and former mayor, according to Louise Webb, spokesperson for the sister city board.
“A lot of us have met them more than once, so it’s really like old home week,” said Webb. “It’s not just like we’re seeing a bunch of strangers each time; a lot of them are the same people.”
Yasuda and his crew lodged at the Saratoga Inn for the duration of their stay. The delegation opened the trip on Jan. 18 with burgers from the Big Basin Burger Bar and a welcoming get-together at the inn. The following day, they met with Mayor Manny Cappello and the city council, toured Hakone Gardens, visited the Book-Go-Round to check out Japanese books and trekked over to the Saratoga History Museum, where they appeared to get a kick out of the schoolhouse, said Webb. But Hakone seemed to be their favorite.
“They loved Hakone since Hakone is very authentic,” Webb said. “They always like going to Hakone.”
On their last day, the sister city committee organized a farewell dinner for the crew at Mimi’s Cafe. There was a gift exchange between members of the two cities, with the Muko delegation receiving a tote bag that included a 5-by-7 photo of Saratoga Quarry Park, pins and a keychain, along with another bag that had a photo of the delegation posing with Saratoga officials. Museum staff presented the group with nuts, California raisins wrapped in Japanese paper, and postcards designed by local artist Kay Duffy.
In return, the Muko delegation gifted Saratoga two woodblocks depicting prints of Mt. Fuji and monkeys, as it is the year of the monkey, along with children’s art, a Yulana kimono, a framed poster of Muko, and pens.
During the visit, Kazusada Yoshiake, a member of the Japanese delegation and bridge champion, struck up the game of bridge with Marty Clevenger, Gillian Moran and Nancy Daniher. Yoshiake, who Webb described as having a “colorful” personality, also made an origami hat using a copy of the Saratoga News.
“He was very talented,” quipped Webb.
The purpose of such trips, said Webb, is to promote more understanding, goodwill and friendship between the people of the two cities through educational, cultural and business exchange programs. Another reason behind the visit this time was to meet Saratoga’s new mayor. Members of both cities’ sister city committees take turns visiting; Saratoga’s delegation last visited Muko two years ago.
This year marks the 32nd year of Saratoga’s sister city partnership with Muko.
