Join Us in a Journey to Sakaide, Japan

The Sausalito-Sakaide Sister Cities Program is now accepting applications for its upcoming 10-day homestay cultural exchange program this summer in Sakaide, Japan.

Our program is seeking 12 enthusiastic Marin County high-school students (ages 15-17) to embark on this unique cultural journey between July 26th and August 7th, 2024.

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2024, Easter Sunday

Embark on an Unforgettable Cultural Adventure

Starting in 1988 after the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge-inspired Seto-Ohashi Bridge, the Sausalito-Sakaide Sister Cities Program aims to promote international friendship, understanding, and cooperation between the citizens of Sausalito, California, and Sakaide, Japan. Through cultural exchange, our program seeks to build bridges of friendship between our two communities to promote world peace.

Twelve lucky Marin County students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and customs of Japan through a homestay experience with a local family in Sakaide and engage with a diverse range of activities prepared by the City of Sakaide.

Each day, participants will convene at Sakaide City Hall, where they will board an official city bus accompanied by city staff and a Japanese translator. The carefully curated jam-packed itinerary changes every year, but in the past these engaging activities have included sports chanbara, judo with local police, noodle making, tea ceremony, ikebana, kimono wearing, visiting Japanese theme parks, and many more. After our program ends, our student delegates often go on to live, study, and work in Japan and begin international careers between the US and Asia.

Program Details:

Dates: July 26th to August 7th, 2024
Location: Sakaide, Japan
Program Fee: $975
Airfare: $2071 (estimated)
Requirements: Valid passport, up-to-date vaccinations, and live in Marin County