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History

In 1969, Mr. Kiyoshi Yasui was consulted on the Master Plan of Hakone Gardens in Saratoga. This connection led to active exchanges between citizens of both cities.

1984
  • Mayor David Moyles visited Muko to pave the way for the Saratoga and Muko Sister City Affliliation.
  • 37 Saratoga people, including Mayor Virginia Fanelli, Vice Mayor Marty Clevenger, former Mayor David Moyles, and Sister City President Marion Card, visited Muko. The Saratoga and Muko Sister City Affiliation Agreement was signed at the Community Center. It coincided with the 1200th Anniversary Celebration of Muko's Imperial Capital.
1985
  • The 1st Student Exchange was held, 5 students from each city, staying at reciprocal homes for 2 weeks.
  • A group of 16 Muko-Saratoga Friendship members, led by Dr. Keiichiro Shimada, President, visited Saratoga.
1986
  • A stone lantern was donated to the Hakone Gardens by Muko-Saratoga Friendship members.
  • 32 Saratoga Sister City members visited Muko, including Mayor Marty Clevenger and President Marilyn White.
  • The 2nd Student Exchange. (Muko students came but no Saratoga students went to Muko.)
1987
  • The 3rd Student Exchange.
  • Kizuna-en, a bamboo garden, was built at Hakone with the assistance of experts from Muko. Stone lanterns and stepping stones were donated by the City of Muko, City Council members, and Muko-Saratoga Friendship members.
  • A group of 19 Muko-Saratoga Friendship members, led by Dr. Keiichiro Shimada, President, visited Saratoga and participated in the opening ceremony of the Kizuna-en.
1988
  • Mayor Don Peterson visited Muko.
  • The 4th Student Exchange.
  • A group of 70 Saratoga Sister City members, including Vice Mayor Marty Clevenger, visited Muko. Don Miller was instrumental in taking two professional performers and presented a play, "Dawn of Saratoga". For this effort, Saratoga Sister City received an award from Sister City International.
1989
  • Mayor Karen Anderson visited Muko and discussed with Muko officials about the 5th Anniversary Celebration.
  • The 5th Student Exchange.
  • The 5th Anniversary Celebration in Saratoga. A delegation of 6 Muko officals, led by Mayor Norio Tamiaki, and 29 Muko-Saratoga Friendship members, led by President Katsuzo Shimizu, visited Saratoga. They participated in the 5th Anniversary Ceremony, and the opening of Muko Exhibit at Villa Montalvo. Mayor Tamiaki and City Council President Kiyoshi Nakazawa were driven in an open car in the Saratoga Community Parade. President Shimizu presented a fire god statue, Fudo, to Hakone.
1990
  • Ed Gomersall Scholarship was established with donations from Muko and Saratoga.
  • 32 Saratoga Sister City members, including President John Tauchi, visited Muko.
  • The 6th Student Exchange.
1991
  • The 7th Student Exchange.
  • A group of 26 Muko-Saratoga Friendship members visited Saratoga.
1992
  • The 8th Student Exchange.
  • Group of 49 Saratoga Sister City members, including Mayor Karen Anderson and President Art Okuno, visited Muko.
1993
  • Saratoga Sister City and City of Muko were instrumental in setting up a pen pal program between Saratoga High School Japanese class students, and students of Koyo and Nishiyama High Schools in Muko.
  • A group of 18 Muko-Saratoga Friendship members, led by President Katsuzo Shimizu, visited Saratoga.
  • The 9th Student Exchange.
  • A delegation of 6 Muko officials, led by Mayor Norio Tamiaki, visited Saratoga to discuss the 10th Anniversary Celebration in 1994.
1994
  • The 10th Student Exchange.
  • A group of 70 Saratoga Sister City members, including Mayor Ann Marie Burger and President Marty Clevenger, visited Muko to celebrate the 10th Anniversary. It coincided with the 1200th Anniversary of Kyoto's Imperial Capital, and the Saratogans had a privilege of attending the impressive 1200th Anniversary Ceremony.
1995
  • Saratoga Sister City collected $2,775 for the Kobe earthquake victims and forwarded to Muko for presentation to the City of Kobe.
  • The 11th Student Exchange.
1996
  • A group of 30 Muko-Saratoga Friendship members, led by President Katsuzo Shimizu, visited Saratoga.
  • The 12th Student Exchange.
  • A group of 12 Muko Kaguyashu Taiko members visited Saratoga for the City's 40th Anniversary and played in the Community Parade.
1997
  • 43 Saratoga Sister City members, including Mayor Gillian Moran and President Frank Riddle, visited Muko.
  • The 13th Student Exchange.
1998
  • 21 members of the Muko Mothers' chorus group visited Saratoga and performed at Senior Center, Methodist Church, Rotary Club, and Sister City.
1999
  • Muko announced a name change of Muko-Saratoga Friendship to Muko-Saratoga Sister City Association.
  • The 14th Student Exchange.
  • A delegation of 6 Muko officials, led by Mayor Masayuki Okazaki, and 27 Muko-Saratoga Sister City Association members including Kaguyashu Taiko members visit Saratoga to celebrate the 15th Anniversary.