This is a list of municipalities in Japan which have standing links to local communities in other countries. In most cases, the association, especially when formalised by local government, is known as "town twinning" (usually in Europe) or "sister cities" (usually in the rest of the world).
For twinning between Japanese and Chinese municipalities the term "friendship cities" is used, due to problematic translation (the term "sister cities" requires specification of which of the cities is the younger sister and which is the older one). [1]
Suita is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 March 2023, the city had an estimated population of 381,238 in 182636 households and a population density of 11,000 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 36.09 square kilometres (13.93 sq mi). It is a suburban city of Osaka City and a part of the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area.
Akashi is a city in southern Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2024, the city had an estimated population of 305,925 in 137,288 households and a population density of 6,200 people per km2. The total area of the city is 49.42 square kilometres (19.08 sq mi).
Hirata was a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on January 1, 1955.
Koryō was a town located in Hikawa District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.
Hioki is a city in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2024, the city had an estimated population of 46,348 in 22706 households, and a population density of 180 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 253.01 km2 (97.69 sq mi).
Ueda is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the city had an estimated population of 157,480 in 67,783 households, and a population density of 290 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 552.04 square kilometres (213.14 sq mi), which makes it the fifth largest city in Nagano Prefecture in terms of area.
Mito is the capital city of Ibaraki Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of 1 January 2024, the city had an estimated population of 268,036 in 126,055 households and a population density of 1,233 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 27.1%. The total area of the city is 217.32 square kilometres (83.91 sq mi).
Kitakyushu is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of June 1, 2019, Kitakyushu has an estimated population of 940,978, making it the second-largest city in both Fukuoka Prefecture and the island of Kyushu after the city of Fukuoka. It is one of Japan's 20 designated cities, one of three on Kyushu, and is divided into seven wards.
Sasebo is a core city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It is the second-largest city in Nagasaki Prefecture, after its capital, Nagasaki. As of 1 April 2024, the city had an estimated population of 230,873 in 102,670 households, and a population density of 540 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 426.01 km2 (164.48 sq mi).
The Escuela Japonesa de Panamá is a Japanese international school in the Marbella area, Bella Vista, Panama City. It was established on October 12, 1974.
A sister castle or twin castle relationship is the castle equivalent of sister city, between two geographically distinct castles, usually by agreement between two local governments famous for castles.
Some Japanese castles establish sister relationships with not only domestic castles but also European castles.