Shinhidaka, Japan

Lexington was twinned with the Japanese city of Shinhidaka in 1988. Shinhidaka is located on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Lexington's agricultural school, Locust Trace, has a sister school relationship with Shinhidaka's agricultural school. Shinhidaka is home to the largest sales pavilion for auctioning horses in Japan, as well as many thoroughbred farms surrounding the city. Lexington and Shinhidaka just celebrated their 30th anniversary as Sister Cities in 2018. 

Shinhidaka Programs

Student Exchange

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High school students stay with Japanese counterparts for ten days during the summer. Their counterparts visit the United States for ten days in March.

Summer Internship

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College students from the University of Kentucky have the opportunity to spend the summer in Japan helping with English classes, translating, and participating in town activities.

Student Exchange Applications

High school student applications are now available!

2020 Shinhidaka Student Exchange Application (pdf)
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