Photograph of the Kawagoe Festival in Kawagoe, Japan

Pictured here is a float in the Kawagoe Festival in Kawagoe, Japan. The photo was taken during the 2009 Worthington mayoral delegation to Worthington’s sister city of Sayama.

Kawagoe, located approximately 7.5 miles from Sayama, is renowned for its historic downtown area, which is lined with buildings in the kura-zukuri or “storehouse” style that was popular in the Edo period (1603-1867). The Kawagoe Festival, held each October, is famous for the elaborate floats that are pulled around the city. The floats feature performers and musical accompaniment, and represent a tradition that is over 300 years old.

Worthington and Sayama have been sister cities since 1999, and through the years have exchanged dozens of delegations, including groups of city officials, residents and school groups. The 2009 mayoral delegation observed ten years of the sister-city relationship. During exchanges between the two cities, delegations typically tour a variety of destinations including city offices, schools, libraries and businesses, along with sightseeing and cultural events.