While standing at a four-way intersection during morning rush hour in Kyoto, Japan, a curious thing happened: every person, car, and bicycle froze in perfect unison the moment the light flashed red. I know it was just this intersection in this part of a bustling city of 1.4 million, but it was as if the entire city pressed pause—no honking, no jaywalking, no frantic dashes across the street.
Just calm. Just coordinated stillness.
And I thought, “Now this is a vibe Arlington could learn a thing or two from.”
Beyond shared traffic etiquette wishes, let us talk seriously—well, semi-seriously—about why Arlington and Kyoto could be the ultimate sister cities.
Roll with me here. Yeah, I am fully aware of our current sister city relationship with the German city of Bad Königshofen, one Arlington’s Sister City President, Bruce Maxwell, assures me we have had since 1951, and our “friendship” with Rothenberg ob der Tauber, also in Germany.
Fort Worth has nine in places like Italy, Mexico, and France.
“That’s the only two working relationships we have so far,” Maxwell says. “But working on other countries also to expand the program.”
Yet after spending 11 days in this splendid country last month, hitting big cities (Tokyo) and smaller ones (Kamakura), I could not help but think how wonderful it would be for Arlington to connect with the one Japanese city I fell for the most.
As for sister cities with Kyoto, we would have one city known for ancient temples and delicate tea ceremonies, and another famed for touchdowns, roller coasters, and some pretty good barbecue. But hear me out—we have more in common than meets the eye.
Kyoto’s cultural heart is steeped in centuries-old traditions—think graceful geisha, handcrafted kimonos, and shrines tucked into forested hills. It’s a living museum of Japanese history and artistry. Meanwhile, Arlington has its own artistic pulse, beating strong at places like the Arlington Museum of Art and the Levitt Pavilion, where the community grooves to everything from jazz to mariachi under the stars. A sister city relationship would open doors for stunning cultural exchanges: imagine Kyoto’s cherry blossom art displays gracing Texas galleries, or Japanese musicians jamming in a Texas blues fusion night at the Levitt.
And let’s not forget food—because cultural exchange without snacks is just a missed opportunity. Culinary festivals swapping Kyoto’s delicate wagashi sweets with Arlington’s deep-fried everything (I say this with love) could become the talk of two continents. Picture workshops where Japanese tea masters meet Texas pitmasters.
Sister cities break down barriers, stir up empathy, and help both cities’ residents see the world through each other’s eyes. Whether it’s a traditional Japanese dance being performed in Arlington or a Texas line dance happening in Kyoto, these shared experiences foster mutual understanding.
Then there’s the student and educator exchange angle. Sister city relationships often involve programs where young minds and seasoned teachers hop continents for immersive learning. High schoolers from Kyoto could swap cherry blossoms for pecan trees and experience life in a Texas classroom (bonus points if they attend a Friday night football game or a Third Thursday). Meanwhile, Arlington students could discover what it’s like to ride a bullet train (which I did. One word: fabulous) to school and learn calligraphy from a Kyoto master. Everybody wins—especially the educators who now get to say “international collaboration” on their résumés.
Speaking of higher learning, let’s talk research. UT Arlington is a rising star in innovation and technology. A partnership with Kyoto’s esteemed universities could spark collaborative research projects—think smart city tech, clean energy, and maybe even AI-driven ramen vending machines. UTA already has an active Japanese Culture Society.
There’s also serious tourism potential. Imagine Kyoto locals flying to Arlington not just for Six Flags or AT&T Stadium, but for unique cultural festivals or art residencies made possible by a sister city connection. Local shops and restaurants would thrive with international visitors, and Arlington could start carrying souvenirs beyond Cowboys merch—like handcrafted fans or matcha kits.
If you need proof this could work, look no further than Stillwater in Oklahoma. Their partnership with Kameoka City led to the creation of Oklahoma State University-Kyoto and a Stillwater-themed space in Japan. It’s a real-world example of how sister cities can go beyond pen pals and actually create lasting, tangible outcomes.
So yes, at first glance, Arlington and Kyoto might seem like an odd couple. But scratch beneath the surface, and they’re both communities passionate about culture, education, innovation, and connection. We may speak different languages and live worlds apart, but with a sister city bond, we could teach each other that true friendship knows no borders.
And who knows? Maybe one day, while waiting patiently at Cooper and Pioneer Parkway or some other busy intersection and crosswalk, someone might look around and see the stillness, and think, “This feels a little like…Kyoto.”
