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Takko-machi, Japan
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Takko-machi, Japan, is Gilroy’s most active sister city and consistently participates in a wide variety of annual exchange programs promoting cultural and educational  opportunities.

Takko is located at the northern end of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, in the southeast corner of Aomori prefecture. The town is situated in rolling hills, very much like Gilroy, with agriculture being a major local industry. Takko town covers an area of approximately 242 square kilometers, the majority of which is made up of forest and farm land.

    Due to common agriculture interests, Takko and Gilroy became Sister Cities on April 4, 1988. While Gilroy claims the title of GARLIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, Takko owns the title as GARLIC CAPITAL OF JAPAN. In 1993 Takko opened their Garlic Center, a facility which showcases a large variety of garlic products produced in Takko itself. Located in the Garlic Center is the Gilroy Cafe, where guests dine on Takko’s exclusive garlic ramen and, perhaps, enjoy garlic wine and garlic ice cream!

    Many people from each Sister City make the annual trip over the Pacific Ocean to visit Gilroy Garlic Festival and Takko Garlic and Beef Festival, where they are always warmly welcomed.

    Takko-machi has been a very active and appreciated Sister City to Gilroy, sending large and enthusiastic delegations each year to Gilroy Garlic Festival and welcoming our delegates to their Garlic and Beef Festival in return. Their cooperation with GSCA has been historically on an excellent level, and has also resulted in successful student visits from Takko to Gilroy. Annually there are both Junior High and High School groups of Takko students who come to Gilroy for week-long stays, with emphasis on participation at local schools.

    In 2008 Takko-machi and Gilroy celebrated the 20th Anniversary of their Sister City relationship, and both cities expressed their desire for the relationship to not only  continue for many more such years to come but to continue to increase in commitment to their common goals and friendships.