We leave Nagaizumi with all of us overwhelmed by the generosity of our hosts.
Present after present has been given to us - often food or trinkets - but occasionally something heavier and more awkward to pack.
I end up with three T-shirts, four fans, postcards, post-it notes, pins, pens,
tissues, a hanky, a book about youth football in Nagaizumi written entirely in Japanese. And an umbrella. And two DVDs of sumo-wrestling. Luckily I also received a canvas bag otherwise I wouldn't be able to carry anything at all.
The Japanese culture of giving gifts is ingrained, but it seems bizarrely over the top to us. The real gift we received was genuine warmth from Mayor Ikeda, and his team, and a commitment to try and build on joint tourism, and school visits.
Others in the delegation have had success talking manufacturing, Rotary International, the Pilot Academy and tertiary offerings. Like Whanganui, Nagaizumi seems to be flavour of the month - with a growing population, a sense of buoyancy, proximity to the capital, and a strong art community.
As we leave I feel sure that this sister city thing will work. Two delegations from Japan will be visiting early next year - the schools visits continuing - Chitoku High School arriving next week. I was very proud of the team putting in some hard yards, whether talking business, being inspired to innovate, or dancing in 35 degree heat.
