Some Sister City partnerships grow slowly. Others take root and flourish year after year. Tulsa’s bond with Utsunomiya belongs firmly in the second category. Built on exchange, community, and shared purpose, it has created three decades of meaningful, people-to-people connection.

As our summer fundraiser continues, we are proud to highlight the Tulsa–Utsunomiya partnership, where student exchanges and community events create lasting friendships and life-changing experiences.

This spring, Tulsa was in full bloom with cultural celebrations, student exchanges, and cherry blossoms—all in honor of our Sister City, Utsunomiya, Japan. From postcards to samurai armor, explore how this long-standing partnership brought global connection to life across Tulsa.

Alongside our community partners at Philbrook, Gathering Place, and Tulsa Botanic Garden, TGA is supporting a Spring and Summer of Japanese-inspired events all across Tulsa! Win a trip to Utsunomiya & Tokyo, send postcards to students in Utsunomiya while admiring OK’s largest collection of cherry blossom trees, and enjoy the OK debut of Florigami in the Garden!

TGA’s annual Coffee with the Councilors brought together city leaders, board members, and Sister City representatives to celebrate Tulsa’s global connections. Over a spread of international dishes, attendees shared updates on cultural exchanges, global education, and the economic impact of international relationships.

Over 500 Eisenhower elementary students explored 14 different cultures from across the globe at the 2025 Eisenhower International School Parade and Fair!

TGA volunteer and ORU student, Jael Rollocks, recently visited Tulsa’s Sister City of Utsunomiya, Japan with Tulsa Community College’s Study Abroad class and wrote a travel journal full of videos and photos detailing her incredible, life-changing experience.

On November 16 2024, Tulsa Global Alliance and our community partner, Circle Cinema, joined together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Godzilla with a SOLD OUT screening of the original 1954 film, in Japanese with English subtitles. Dr. Bill Tsutsui, Chancellor and Professor of History at Ottawa University in Kansas, came to Tulsa to introduce the movie, answer questions, and provide lively commentary with an engaged audience after the film.

Saturday, November 16th. 2:00pm

Celebrate 70 years of the King of the Monsters with a special screening of the film that started it all! Presented with community partner Circle Cinema and special guest Bill Tsutsui, PhD.

• Learn more and RSVP here!

• Purchase tickets online here!

A delegation of Utsunomiya middle school students visited Tulsa in March 2024, spending time with host families, exploring Tulsa attractions, and being named Honorary Tulsa Citizens at City Hall.

On November 27, 2023, City leaders, family, and friends gathered outside City Hall to dedicate Sister Cities sign #5 in memory of Cathy Izzo, TGA’s longtime Sister Cities Program Coordinator.

The Utsunomiya Partnership hosted a cultural booth at the 2023 Asian World Experience, sharing Japanese traditions and highlighting Tulsa’s connection with its Sister City in Japan.

TGA hosted its annual International Breakfast and Coffee with the Councilors on October 25, 2023, featuring Sister City–themed foods and remarks from Tulsa leaders about recent global engagement efforts.

Family, friends, City officials, and TGA representatives gathered on June 1, 2023, at McCullough Park to dedicate a Sister Cities sign in memory of Arnulfo Murillo Muñoz.

Tulsa leaders met with Japan Consul-General Murabayashi, Consul Takahashi, City Councilor Christa Patrick, and Deputy Chief of Staff Rodrigo Rojas during a December 17, 2022 luncheon to discuss ongoing connections with Utsunomiya and strengthen Tulsa’s relationship with Japan.

Tulsa Global Alliance representatives attended the Mayor’s Consular Reception at the Summit Club on October 19, joining Honorary Consul Dewey Bartlett, Consul General Murabayashi, Aurora Murabayashi, and local partners to strengthen international relationships.

On October 20, 2022, TGA dedicated the third Sister Cities directional sign at 68th and Riverside, with remarks from city leaders and cultural blessings shared by the Muscogee Nation.

Tulsa Mayor G. T. Bynum and Utsunomiya Mayor Eiichi Sato shared video greetings celebrating 30 years of Sister City friendship between Tulsa and Utsunomiya.

Marshall Brewing Company debuted a Utsunomiya Strawberry Wheat beer in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa–Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership at the SAVOR festival on August 31.

At World in a Box Day, the Utsunomiya table invited children to translate their names into Japanese, make origami Pokémon, stamp passports, and play “Taiko no Tatsujin.”

A June 29 reception in Oklahoma City welcomed Tulsa’s new Honorary Consul of Japan, introduced the new JASO president, and celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa–Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership.