Stillwater celebrates a 40-year partnership with its sister city, Kameoka, Japan

Monday, February 9, 2026

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

Despite the over 6,000 miles separating Kameoka, Japan, and Stillwater, Oklahoma, the partnership between the college towns has stayed strong for more than 40 years.

The long-lasting relationship began in 1985, with a strong promise of cultural exchange and resource collaboration. Since then, both cities have flourished as they have adopted varied educational, business, agricultural and medical contributions. 

Oklahoma began this partnership with an initiative to increase international relations following its initial sister-state agreement with Kyoto Prefecture. Soon after, Gov. George Nigh approved the Kameoka sister city relationship. 

During the first five years of the partnership, Oklahoma State University partnered with the city of Kameoka to establish a Japanese branch campus, OSU-Kameoka, to contribute to the shared “Progress Together” initiative. The university was built to replicate Old Central and was expected to house 200-300 students annually. This satellite campus was only open for five years, but its early activity built the foundation for this 40-year-long friendship. 

Another early project within the initiative was the parks that each city established. Built to represent cultural exchange, Kameoka Koen in Stillwater and Stillwaterland in Kameoka featured unique, historically accurate equipment. Kameoka Koen included traditional Japanese-style design before it was closed due to city expansion. However, Stillwaterland is still in operation in Kameoka, and includes many Western symbols, such as a covered wagon, teepees and a log cabin. 

Developed in segments starting in 1989, the Kameoka Trail was another successful project still in use today. The trail is named to honor the partnership, and loops around Boomer Lake in Stillwater. It highlights the Sister City relationship and offers recreational activities like walking, disc-golfing and kayaking. 

One of the partnership’s most significant accomplishments was the Exchange Program. What started as a PenPal program later evolved to allow students and teachers to have immersive experiences from Stillwater Middle School to Taisei Junior High School. Students were able to stay with host families as they attended local classes, explored historic sites, learn Japanese common etiquette and explored Japan. While it was extremely popular in its launch, it closed from 2007-20 due to budgetary issues. However, in 2023, the program was relaunched and is now an anticipated annual opportunity for some students. 

“It’s really more of a cultural exchange, especially with younger folks,” Stillwater Mayor William Joyce said. “Living with a host family and being submerged in another culture for a week is an experience that really sticks with those kids.”

Since 1989, Stillwegian and Kameokian city officials, teachers and students have participated in annual city visits. During these visits, each group shares presentations, gifts and participates in community events. In recent years, these presenters have visited historical landmarks, experienced the Hozu River and participated in the Kameoka Fall Festival. These unique immersive experiences have further strengthened the partnership, reflecting the longevity of the program. 

“Decisions we make now can have an impact far beyond what we immediately see; sometimes across the world and across generations,” Joyce said.

In celebration of 40 years of partnership, Joyce, City Manager Brady Moore and city officials shared the proclamation they presented in Kameoka, celebrating the shared history and future cooperation between the two cities at the Stillwater City Council meeting on Oct. 6, 2025. It further pushed the “Progress Together” theme of the partnership and announced the growth and revitalization of the student Exchange Program.

“They were very interested to hear what was going on in Stillwater, what we were having success with, and to hear more ideas,” Joyce said. “They really pour into this relationship.”

Along with the commemoration, local Oklahoma supporters also stepped up. Iron Monk Brewing Company in Stillwater created a custom drink named “Shimai Toshi,” or sister city. The local brewery partnered with Joyce and the Sister City council to create this Japanese-style lager. Released on Oct. 23, the drink was initially available on draft and was later canned and sold in celebration.

In addition to expanding the Exchange Program, plans to increase community involvement are also in motion. Oklahoma acts to deepen cultural ties by fostering urban planning to address shared challenges in hopes of making the program more sustainable.

“If we want our cities to succeed, we have to turn them into places that people want to live and want to visit,” Moore said. 

Story By: Annelise Vinson | annelise.vinson@okstate.edu