Maizuru

Maizuru city is situated north of Kyoto in the distance of 100 kilometers from it. The city occupies the northern part of Kyoto prefecture and is located in that place of Honshu Island, where the Japan Sea cuts into the land most deeply. Its population is 100,000 people. The total area of Maizuru is 340 square kilometers.

In Japanese Maizuru means «a dancing crane». The meaning of the city name is geographically depicted in the city emblem. The symbols of Maizuru are a Zelcowa tree and Azalea flower.

Since the end of the 16 century, when the famous poet-feudal lord Hosokawa Yusai and his son Tadaoki built Tanabe castle, the western area of Maizuru had been prospering as a near-by castle territory during several centuries. Beginning from 1901 the eastern area of Maizuru developed as a military port because Navy headquarters were located there to protect the coast. In 1943 both areas were combined. In such a way Maizuru city was born. Nowadays Maizuru is a very good port with nice natural conditions. In 1961 Maizuru became Nakhodka’s twin-city. An agreement on friendship was signed on June, 21. Signing of that agreement was held under the slogan «Let the Sea of Japan always be the sea of peace and friendship, let our friendship become stronger».

In 1963 it was decided to hold the annual so called distance sport contest in athletics. The winners of such competitions received special cups and medals, which were especially set up for them in 1967. The athletes from Nakhodka became the winners of those distance sport contests more than once.

In August 1978 a big group of tourists from Maizuru and Kyoto headed by the Mayor Mr. Tatemichi visited Nakhodka for the first time. At the same day «the stone of friendship» was put in the center of Nakhodka not far from Nakhodkinsky Prospect on the occasion of the 17^th anniversary of signing the agreement on friendship.

In June 1980 the best experts of «ikebana» (ancient Japanese art of making flower arrangements) came to Nakhodka. They told about some secrets of ikebana with great pleasure.

In 1986 the Federation of Baseball from Maizuru granted sport equipment for playing baseball to Nakhodka’s sportsmen. Since that time coaches of Maizuru regularly visit Nakhodka. Nakhodka’s specialists studying baseball and children’s baseball group regularly visit Maizuru.