Shinshiro ― Neuchâtel (2005)

Chubu | Shinshiro City

City Partnerships

How a name coincidence created an incredible bond between a Swiss city, a Japanese community, and dozens of others cities across the world!

The "Japanese Newcastle"

Have you ever noticed that many locations around the globe are called "new castle"? From Newcastle-under-Lyme (UK) to Nové Hrady (Czech Republic) or Akhaltsikhe (Georgia), more than a hundred different cities carry the same exact name, often in completely different languages.

Among them, in eastern Aichi Prefecture, a city named Shinshiro. A former territory of the Okudaira, Matsudaira, and Tokugawa clans (whose castles have ironically all been destroyed), the area is now a peaceful middle-sized city of less than 50,000 inhabitants. Despite its quiet nature, shrines, and waterfalls, however, community life in Shinshiro is surprisingly dynamic: about a dozen festivals take place throughout the year, and the citizens regularly exchange with people from all over the world. In May 2019, the city was even awarded the 13th International Exchange Commendation by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for its exemplary activities that thrive in creativity and contribute to internationalisation. How come?

Sisters all around the word

It all started twenty years ago, in 1998. Inspired by the work of a Newcastle-upon-Tyne arts manager who assembled a book about all English-speaking “new castle” cities, Shinshiro Mayor Yoshio Yamamoto invited representatives of seven cities with similar names to his city in Japan, effectively starting what would become a major international network: the Newcastles of the World Alliance.

As of 2018, seventeen cities are actively engaged in this dynamic alliance, the purpose of which is to exchange information, manage common cultural projects, promote local vitality, organize delegation and students exchanges, and, most importantly, hold a summit every two years. Through the Newcastles of the World Alliance, Shinshiro citizens made many international friends. One Swiss “new castle”, however, has won their heart to the extent of becoming a sister city.

The "Swiss Shinshiro"

Neuchâtel is one of the main cities of the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Renowned for its dynamic watch industry and its fine wines, it has bred or hosted some of the country’s most influential figures, including psychologist Jean Piaget, ICRC field delegate and Hiroshima rescuer Dr. Marcel Junod, or dramatist Friedrich Durrenmatt. These gentlemen most certainly found inspiration while strolling on the idyllic shores of the Lake of Neuchâtel or smelling the delicate perfume of the chocolate shops of the pedestrian city-center’s.

Neuchâtel also harbors numerous architectural jewels, from the modern lake-view Palafitt Hotel (built for the 6th Swiss National Exposition) to the ancient Collégiale Church or the 18th-century Hôtel du Peyrou, which was visited by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito in 2014.

From "Newcastles" to new partners

Switzerland was also partnered with Shinshiro for the Friendship Project of the Aichi Expo 2005. That year, on April 14, the two “new castles” signed a sister-cities agreement to foster their steadily-increasing interactions.

Since then, delegation visits have been frequent, and many students have been given the possibility to travel to Japan or Switzerland for homestays.

Moreover, two college students from Neuchâtel were sent to Shinshiro for a year to assist Mayor Ryoji Hozumi and his team in the preparation of the 20th anniversary of the Newcastles of the World summit, which took place in the Japanese city from October 3-9, 2018. The Swiss delegation, led by City Councilor Fabio Bongiovanni and Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan Jean-François Paroz, was delighted by the conference, and pledged to strengthen their ties with the Japanese city in the coming years. The future certainly looks bright for Shinshiro, Neuchâtel, and all the other Newcastles of the World!