VAN WERT, OHIO -
Traveling over 6,000 miles, fourteen visitors, six adults and eight teens, stopped in Van Wert to see what life is like in Ohio. The visitors are part of the Sister City Program between Van Wert and Sumoto City Japan. The visits between sister cities has been in place since 1996, allowing both Americans and Japanese participants to come together and share cultures.
While in Van Wert, students and adults took guided tours of the historical Van Wert County Courthouse, the county library and local schools. Citing similar equipment and facilities, many visitors said the size of things in America are much larger than back home. One thing that the Japanese visitors said they don't like about the area, things are too flat.
"We have a lot of mountains. We cannot see mountains around here (in Van Wert). Every time we can see the mountains or a sea, but this is very much different," said Japanese visitor Toru Amazutsumi.
While the trip to Van Wert was eye-opening for the students and adults, bringing Japanese culture to the area wasn't so bad either.
Leaving Van Wert on Sunday, visitors will travel to Chicago for a two day visit, before heading back to Sumoto City, Japan on the island of Awaji.
