Small world, big connections: Students from Kanegasaki, Japan, arrive in Amherst for 35th year of cultural exchange

AMHERST — Junior high school students from Kanegasaki, Japan, will likely go trick-or-treating with their peers from Amherst and experience seasonal frights on Saturday, while also visiting some of the region’s year-round attractions.

Amherst Regional Middle School eighth grader Eric Losier, whose family is hosting Sota Onodera for four days, said the Trail of Screams in South Hadley could be an ideal destination.

“If he likes scary stuff, we might go on the scary trail,” Losier said.

For Amherst eighth grader Laura Hamilton, who is hosting Mina Hirasawa, a visit to Mike’s Maze in Sunderland is likely, along with assorted other activities.

“We have a few ideas,” Hamilton said.

Losier and Hamilton are among seven Amherst Regional Middle School students and their families hosting eight peers from Kanegasaki, Amherst’s sister city. At a welcoming reception at Town Hall this week, town and school officials joined them to celebrate the cultural exchange that first began in 1988, five years before the sister city partnership was formalized.

For Losier, having Onodera, who is also into kendo, a modern martial art form, and also enjoys cooking, will be a pleasure.

“I’m interested in learning more about Kanegasaki and teaching him more about stuff here,” Losier said.

At Hamilton’s home, the first get-together would be over dinner, with spaghetti on the menu. Hamilton said she is ready for the experience after a friend hosted in 2025.

“We found out about the program, and a friend last year hosted, so we know what to expect,” Hamilton said.

The visitors are the 35th group from Kanegasaki Junior High School to make the journey to Amherst. After halting during the pandemic, the trips resumed in 2024. The international relations program is coordinated by that city’s Lifelong Learning Center and aims to help the students become better citizens of the world.

Brief presentations helped familiarize those gathered with each other and allowed students to practice in English, with one student describing Cowbell, a gelato treat served in Kanegasaki, and one of the unique flavors being asparagus.

Daniel Degrasse, who has been part of the Kanegasaki exchange since 2011 and serves as an interpreter, confirmed the appeal of the asparagus gelato.

Others spoke about the city’s hot springs and Samurai houses, as well as Taskasgo Shokudo, a restaurant that serves ramen, fried rice and sushi. There were also brief presentations on how rice is a common crop grown in the city, the annual Kanegasaki Marathon runs and the O-1 Grand Prix, a participatory food festival.

Some students also elaborated on their reasons for participating in the exchange.

Kii Takano explained that she wants to understand more about American culture and life.

“During my homestay, I want to learn many new things, and make many great new mentors,” Takano said.

Aito Kadota said basketball is his favorite sport and that he is part of the basketball club at his school.

“I like basketball very much. Do you like basketball?” Kadota asked, then making a reference to Jayson Tatum, a star player on the Boston Celtics that brought out applause and laughter.

As they made introductions, both the Kanegasaki and Amherst students had a chance to tell a bit about themselves, their interests and their birthdays, most concluding their greetings with a handshake.

Before introducing herself to Amherst middle schooler Esme DeVore, Takano said dance, specifically hip hop, is one of her hobbies.

“Nice to meet you,” Takano said.

As he said “hello” to Amherst middle schooler Jaimison Bust, whose family has hosted Kanegasaki visitors the previous two years, Kadota noted that hamburgers are his favorite American cuisine.

Council President Mandi Jo Hanneke reflected on her personal experience with cultural exchanges and what this can mean to all participants.

“I want all of you, Kanegasaki visitors and host families, to use this time together over the next few days to learn from each other, expand your horizons and, most of all, to have fun,” Hanneke said.

Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman said the visitors are among friends and that they will build strong bonds.

“As visiting students, I hope you feel the warmth and excitement of being welcomed into our community,” Herman said.

Five of the 13 councilors present for the ceremony offered tote bags, with the town’s name on them, as a token of appreciation for coming to town.

The students then departed in the company of the host families with their luggage.

Most will be busy this week, going to places like the Beneski Museum of Natural History on the Amherst College campus and the Emily Dickinson Museum, with trips possible to Yankee Candle and the Basketball Hall of Fame.

While Amherst students won’t be heading to Kanegasaki this school year, Herman said the district still would like to reactivate what had been a yearly exchange.

Herman praised Soleil Sonoda and Tiffany McGee, the Kanegasaki coordinators for the district, for their outreach to students and families to ensure the visiting students have a place to stay.

Herman said their work is about putting together the foundation so that when there is sufficient funding, Amherst students will be ready to go for the first time in more than 20 years.