Des Moines is known for its bridges, the longest of which stretches all the way to our sister city in Japan, Kofu. Students and teachers from the two towns have been crossing it back and forth since 1983. A contingent of DMPS middle schoolers just made the trip in June. Now it’s Kofu’s turn, and a delegation arrived from there Wednesday night.

After spending Thursday morning at Central Campus, the visitors proceeded to district offices at 2100 Fleur Drive where Superintendent Tom Ahart officially welcomed them.

A conference room turned into a makeshift stage where the 24 young travelers entertained staff with a Japanese folkdance inspired by commercial sea fishing, a livelihood as traditional in Japan as agriculture is in America’s heartland.

Some Q&A followed. One of the guests wanted to know the educational policy of Des Moines. To become the model for urban education in the United States, he was told.

Gifts were exchanged. All of the visitors received t-shirts and tote bags to fill with souvenirs during the rest of their itinerary that runs through next Wednesday, August 9. Between now and then they will be busy with everything from a city council meeting to an Iowa Cub game. Baseball should make them feel right at home.

But first, a catered barbecue lunch at 2100 Fleur. Then it was off on a tour of the Iowa statehouse.

These sisters never tire of each other – and never seem to age.