Friendship Berndorf-Hanamaki / 花巻市とベルンドルフ町の姉妹都市

50 years ago, on 18 December 1964, the decision to establish a friendship between the Japanese city of Ohasama (now a part of Hanamaki) and the Austrian city of Berndorf was made. Officially, the cities became twinned on 12 October, 1965.

The connection between the two places, the Edelweiss, that grows both in Austria and on Mount Hayachine (1914 m), is depicted below. The species Hayachine-usuyukiso (Leontopodium hayachinense), as depicted below, is even endemic to Mount Hayachine (i.e. it only grows on Mount Hayachine).

I would like this geocoin to travel from Austria to Hanamaki, Japan to celebrate the long tradition of friendship between the two cities Berndorf, Austria and Ohasama / Hanamaki, Japan. 

Once it has reached its destination, please take it to 高橋葡萄園 (Takahashi Vineyards) and give it to its owner with greetings from Berndorf.

There is also another trackable with a similar aim.

I would also like to thank all the people from Ohasama and Hanamaki to make this fantastic project happen. It is very important for young people to see the world and learn about different cultures. 

If you would like to see more of Ohasama but, like me, cannot afford to go there (again), you get a quick tour here.

For more information about the twin cities, click here for more information (German only).

Please take as many pictures of the geocoin and its journey as possible!

大迫が大好き！

How it all started:

When the Austrian Association of Towns and Municipalities requested Berndorf to befriend the Japanese city of Ohasama in 1964, four such friendships had already been established. The mayor of Ohasama wanted to find a twin city which is approximately the same size, close to mountains and in which the edelweiss blossoms. On Mt. Hayachine (1,914 m), which towers over Ohasama, the Hayachine-Usuyukisou can be found. It is an endemic species, which means that it can only be found on Mt. Hayachine and it is similar to Austrian edelweiss.

On 18 December, 1964, the local council of Berndorf decided unanimously to befriend the Japanese city of Ohasama.

Ohasama is located in the heart of Iwate prefecture on the main island of Honshu. On 12 October, 1965 the twinning agreement became official. This milestone was celebrated both in Ohasama and in Berndorf.

Although Ohasama is now a part of Hanamaki city, the friendship has remained intact up to today and was even renewed by the new mayor.

What it means to the owner of this trackable:

As a teenager, I was granted the opportunity to visit Ohasama twice. These trips were life-changing. Visiting countries that have completely different traditions, religions, and mind-sets really makes you see your own views and ideas from a different perspective. Therefore, I find it highly important for young people to travel and make friends, and peace, abroad. 

"I wholeheartedly and sincerely hope that the friendship between our cities will not only contribute to the friendship between Japan and Austria but also set an example for world peace."

- The former of Mayor of Ohasama, Saita Murata

This expresses perfectly how I feel about this friendship. I have met so many wonderful people, not only in Japan but also elsewhere in the world, that I'd really like to share this wonderful project and encourage other people to start similar ones. Friends will not fight each other - befriend a stranger from a foreign country today! :-)