The cherry blossom (sakura) is the unofficial national flower of Japan and one of the most popular flowers and trees in Japan.
In May of 1989, the City of Burlington signed a twinning agreement with the City of Itabashi, Japan. Over the years, various exchanges and programs have taken place between ltabashi and Burlington and relations between the cities have flourished on all levels. The twinning relationship has been demonstrated through regular citizen visits, official delegations, special gift exchanges and memorable anniversary celebrations.
With a population of over 500,000, Itabashi is located on the Shyakujii, Shingashi and Arakawa Rivers just 45 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. View the guide map "Itabashi City In and Around".
In 2014, the Cities of Burlington and Itabashi celebrated a milestone - the 25th Twinning Anniversary.
Itabashi Bridge
In return for the City of Burlington naming a road in Burlington "Itabashi Way", the City of Itabashi donated Itabashi Bridge to Burlington in June of 1997. The bridge is 20 metres long by 4 metres wide and is located over Shoreacres Creek near Tansley Woods Community Centre.
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| Kan Nakaswa International Studies Award |
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Clariza Isabel Castro, a student of Corpus Christie Catholic Secondary School is the recipient of the International Studies Award for her exemplary scholastic achievements, her leadership skills, and her desire and ability to make a difference in the lives of others. Her goal is someday work for the United Nations as either a member of Public Office or as an International Human Rights lawyer. |
| Art Display from Burlington to Itabashi |
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In 2004, the 15th anniversary of the twinning between Burlington and Itabashi, Burlington sent an art display consisting of many ceramic art pieces. Most of the art was returned to Burlington at the end of the showing. Some pieces or art were left as a gift to Itabashi. One was a group of four ceramic cups/jugs make by Carol Roberts. Carol is a Burlington artist and has been practicing her art for 15 years, displaying at various venues and teaching ceramics at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The Art on permanent display in Itabashi is called "Essence of Alchemy" consisting of four pieces. Carol's daughter Amber will be visiting Itabashi on October 5th and will be viewing her mother's art among other attractions in Itabashi. |
History of Itabashi
Itabashi lies on the Kamo plain and is one of Tokyo's 23 special wards. The Arakawa River, a major river, forms part of the boundary with Saitama Prefecture. Surrounding the ward are, in Saitama, the cities of Wako and Toda; and in Tokyo, the wards of Nerima, Toshima and Kita. In the Edo period, the Nakasendo crossed the nearby Shimo Itabashi, and the name came to apply to that area as well. Itabashi was one of the Four Edo Post Towns, and travellers first lodged there after leaving the shogunal capital. The shogunate maintained the Itabashi execution grounds at Itabashi.
The name "Itabashi" means "wooden bridge" and derives from a wooden bridge that was constructed some 800 years ago over the Shakujii River. Such a bridge was remarkable at the time, and the name has lasted since. Because of the bridge, Itabashi became strategic to the area and this had a major influence on Itabashi's future.
On October 1, 1932, nine towns and villages of Kita-Toshima District merged and became part of Tokyo City as Itabashi Ward. It became a special ward May 3, 1947. On August 1, 1947, Nerima was split off from Itabashi.
During the Second World War, Itabashi suffered great destruction but began to prosper again after the war with the urbanization and economic growth that followed the post war restoration. From 1965 to 1974, high-rise apartment buildings and condominium complexes were built in Takashimadaira transforming it from a rural area to a high-density residential centre and resulting in the establishment of the Toei Metro Line No. 6 (today Toei Mita Line). The opening of the JR Saikyo Line and the extension of the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line contributed to the population of over 500,000 people today.