Itabashi, Japan

In May of 1989 the City of Burlington signed a twinning agreement with the City of Itabashi, Japan. In the following years, various exchanges and programs have been carried out between ltabashi and Burlington and relations between the cities have flourished on all levels.Itabashi is located in the northwestern part of the metropolis on the Shyakujii, Shingashi and Arakawa Rivers 45 km northwest of Tokyo. They have a population of over 500,000.

The name Itabashi literally means wooden bridge and was derived from a wooden bridge constructed some 800 years ago over the Shakujii river.

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 meters in length and 4 meters in width and situated over a stream near Tansley Woods Community Centre.

10th Anniversary Celebrations

1999 marked the 10th anniversary of the twinning relationship between Itabashi, Japan and Burlington, Ontario. In June, Burlington received a fabulous waterfront fireworks display as a 10th anniversary gift from Itabashi. Over 120 Itabashi visitors celebrated the twinning anniversary display along with close to 200,000 local residents.

The City of Burlington marked the 10th anniversary by sending a delegation to Itabashi in October. The delegation included Mayor MacIsaac, Ako Matsubayashi (Chair of the Burlington Mundialization Committee) and a Burlington dance group called the Footnotes. One of the highlights of the visit was the unveiling of our gift to Itabashi, the Friendship clock. This clock is a replica of the 125th anniversary clock that stands outside Burlington City Hall.