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Port Hardy & Numata Japan, Sister Cities
Port Hardy–Numata Twinning Relationship
The Beginning and Beyond
The twinning relationship between Port Hardy, British Columbia, and Numata, Hokkaido, Japan, began in 1993 with a letter from Mayor Hisao Shinoda of Numata. In his correspondence, Mayor Shinoda introduced the community of Numata and proposed the idea of forming a twinning relationship between the two towns.
Then–Port Hardy Mayor Al Huddlestan responded with enthusiasm, inviting further discussion and exploration of the partnership. This exchange of letters marked the beginning of a meaningful international friendship—one that both communities continue to value, nurture, and celebrate.
In September 1993, a delegation of five representatives from Numata, led by Mayor Shinoda, visited Port Hardy for a three-day visit. To commemorate the growing relationship, Mayor Shinoda planted a Japanese cherry blossom tree, while Mayor Huddlestan planted a British Columbia dogwood tree on the grounds of the Municipal Hall—symbolizing friendship, mutual respect, and shared growth.
The relationship was formally recognized in September 1994, when Mayor Russ Hellberg led a six-member delegation from Port Hardy to Numata. During this visit, the two communities officially signed the Twinning Agreement and joined in celebrating Numata’s 100th anniversary, further strengthening the cultural and civic ties between the two towns.
Renewing a 30-Year Friendship
In 2024, marking 30 years of partnership, the twinning relationship was proudly renewed during a special signing ceremony in Numata on August 29, 2024, by Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt of Port Hardy and Mayor Yokoyama of Numata. This milestone reaffirmed the shared commitment of both communities to cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and enduring friendship—ensuring the relationship continues to thrive well into the future.
Port Hardy Twinning Society
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In 2001, the Council of the District of Port Hardy chose to transfer the day-to-day aspects of the twinning relationship to a separate organization, a common practice among twinned communities. As a result, the Port Hardy Twinning Society was formed by volunteers from the Port Hardy Twinning Committee. For many years, the Society played an important role in strengthening and sustaining the relationship between Port Hardy and Numata through community involvement and cultural exchange.
In 2014, working closely with the District of Port Hardy, the Twinning Committee raised a torii gate in Carrot Park to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Twinning Agreement between Port Hardy and Numata. The Port Hardy Twinning Society has since dissolved, and the District of Port Hardy now manages the twinning relationship directly with Numata. As the relationship continues to evolve, the District is grateful for the dedication and support of the many volunteers who have contributed over the years and who continue to support the partnership moving forward. |
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Numata Visits to Port HardyWhile large-scale economic initiatives between Port Hardy and Numata are still developing, the cultural and educational benefits of the twinning relationship have flourished. Nearly every other year (with the exception of COVID), Port Hardy has welcomed delegations of approximately 10 to 15 students and adults from Numata, strengthening people-to-people connections that lie at the heart of the partnership. Visitors stay in local homes through homestay programs, offering a unique opportunity to experience Canadian life and the Port Hardy community firsthand. These exchanges foster meaningful relationships, often resulting in lifelong friendships, and create lasting connections between families and communities. Through these visits, participants share and deepen their understanding of Japanese, Canadian, and First Nations cultures, traditions, and ways of life. The exchange of stories, customs, and perspectives has become one of the most enduring and valuable outcomes of the Port Hardy–Numata twinning relationship. |
2025 Delegation from Numata  2025 Farewell Video  |
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2024 Delegation to Numata
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Port Hardy Visits to NumataWhile fewer visits have taken place from Port Hardy to Numata, those students and adults who have participated describe the experience as truly unforgettable. Visitors are welcomed into private homes through homestays, providing an authentic and immersive introduction to daily life in Japan. During their time in Numata, Port Hardy visitors explore the surrounding region and take part in school exchanges and visits to local factories and farms, gaining insight into Japanese education, industry, and rural life. Participants are also privileged to experience a range of traditional Japanese cultural practices, including the tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arranging), and even the art of soba noodle making. The warmth and generosity of Numata’s hosts are a hallmark of the exchange, with carefully arranged tours and community events that showcase the city and the broader region. Port Hardy guests have also had the opportunity to take part in Numata’s vibrant Andon Festival, held each August. This celebrated annual event—featuring illuminated floats, music, and community celebrations—offers a powerful and lasting highlight of the sister-city experience. |
Some Economic StridesWhen the twinning relationship began in 1993, it was envisioned not only as a cultural exchange, but also as a way to explore economic development opportunities—particularly the potential to introduce Port Hardy’s resource-based products and expertise to Japanese markets. Over the years, the District of Port Hardy, together with the Port Hardy Twinning Society (during its years of operation), supported economic initiatives as opportunities arose. During visits from Numata to Port Hardy, efforts were made to showcase local businesses, industries, and products, with a strong focus on tourism and natural resource sectors. Delegations from Numata participated in a range of tourism-based and industry-focused activities, including cave tours, whale watching, harbour tours, visits to local retailers, and guided tours of fish processing facilities and working forests. These experiences highlighted Port Hardy’s strengths in sustainable resource management, tourism, and community-based enterprise. |
Several tangible economic and cultural initiatives emerged from the relationship, including:
The shipment of over $5,000 worth of locally made products and crafts to Numata as part of the gift exchange. The facilitation of a contract for a totem pole carved by renowned artists Calvin and Marie Hunt of the Coppermaker Gallery. The pole was carved in Port Hardy, shipped to Numata, and completed on site with the involvement of local citizens. It is now proudly displayed in the reception area of the Hunt “Tlasutwalis” Hall (Numata Civic Building) In April 2004, the Twinning Society facilitated meetings between a forestry consultant and a local lumber mill representative with forestry and milling interests in the Numata region, supporting knowledge exchange between the two communities While economic development through the twinning relationship has evolved gradually, these initiatives reflect meaningful progress, relationship-building, and the ongoing potential for future collaboration. |
