Whanganui and Japanese city Nagaizumi-cho will mark 30 years as sister cities next year.
Members of the Nagaizumi-cho Town Council visited Whanganui with 15 Japanese students as part of an annual stay recently, where the celebrations were discussed.
Students attended classes at Rutherford Junior High School and were hosted by Rutherford families while Nagaizumi-cho council members had a schedule of business meetings and cultural visits during the five-day stay.
They met with Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall, Whanganui and Partners, visited a beekeeping operation, a marae, discussed the 2019 Masters Games and enjoyed a hangi lunch with Rutherford teachers and students.
Mr McDouall said council was looking forward to the 30th anniversary celebrations.
"We value these exchanges as an opportunity to showcase educational, business and tourism opportunities and our manaakitanga," he said.
"It was a pleasure as always to host our visitors at a special mayoral reception during their stay."