Agreement date: 1958
Population: 50,917
Mayor: Kenichi Kanamaru
Tateyama contact: Shigekazu Kumai
Bellingham contact: Scott Pearce
Major industries: Technology, fishing and farming.
Past events:
NY Times Article about Tateyama (6/02)
Awa High School Exchange (3/01)
Tateyama’s Ski-to-Sea team (5/00)
About Tateyama
Tateyama is located on the Japanese East coast, about two hours south and east from Tokyo, on the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula. Its population is about 50,000 and its major industries include fishing, strawberry and flower farming and high-tech industries such as a semi-conductor plant.
The Sister City Relationship
Over the 50 years of the Tateyama and Bellingham cities relationship, exchange events have included an annual city hall staff exchange, cultural events, sports events like running and yachting, and various high school exchanges.
Early participants and key supporters of the program are shown in this 1998 photo. Jack Pierce, one of the originators of this agreement, is shown in the photo at far right. Bellingham’s former mayor, Mark Asmundsen, is in the center.
In 1998, Bellingham and Tateyama celebrated their 40 year anniversary with celebrations in each city. Each included multiple events and speeches. The celebration in Bellingham was held in conjunction with the annual Ski to Sea Festival. The celebration in Tateyama was in conjunction with the annual Yawata Festival. Friends, old and new, spent time getting to know about one another.
Tateyama Links
Tateyama’s International Friendship Page
Tateyama-Bellingham Sister City Ties
East Asia Online (USC Dept. of East Asian Studies)
Tateyama Annual Events
| Event | Location | Date |
| New Years Day | January 1-3 | |
| Coming of Age Day | January 15 | |
| Wakashio Marathon | Tateyama | January |
| Valentine’s Day (women to men) | February 14 | |
| White Day (men to women) | March 14 | |
| Spring Equinox Day (visit to graves) | National holiday | March 21 |
| Golden Week (several holidays) | National holiday | Apr. 29 – May 5 |
| Ski to Sea Race and Parade | Bellingham | May |
| City Hall Staff Exchange | Both cities | Autumn |
| Autumn Equinox Day (visit to graves) | National holiday | Sept. 23 |
| Satomi Festival (wearing samurai armor) | National holiday | 3rd Sunday of October |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | National holiday | Nov. 23 |
| Emperor’s Birthday | National holiday | Dec. 23 |
Photos and content by BSCA Members