Kagamino ― Yverdon-les-Bains (1996)

Chugoku | Kagamino Town

City Partnerships

A 17th century education pioneer is responsible for the signature of a friendship charter between Switzerland and Japan in the late 20th century. How come?

The spirit of Chugoku

In northern Okayama Prefecture, wise travelers always make a stopover in Kagamino-cho. Be it for the scenery of the Okayama Prefectural Forest Park, for the red autumn colors of the Okutsu Valley, or for winter sports adventures at the Ombara Kogen Ski Area, the region pleases its guests at all seasons. Proud of its ancient hot springs tradition and juicy tomato-based ramen, Kagamino conveys the charm and the authenticity of the Chugoku region.

Beyond tourism, however, the other face of Kagamino is its highly dynamic community life: locals spare no effort to ensure the area’s vitality and harmonious development. And that is precisely why the educational techniques of a Swiss pioneer were imported to the schools of Kagamino.

"Head", "Hands", and "Heart"

In 1995, in a move to foster education in the area, the local government added a new educational philosophy to Kagamino’s comprehensive plan: "Head", "Hands", and "Heart". In short, the balance between intellectual knowledge, technical training, and moral principles. To promote their new motto, the administration has used the tagline "Kagamino – Japan’s Pestalozzi Town", after the Swiss man who long ago enunciated this philosophy and laid the foundations of pedagogy.

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) was an educator and social reformer who had a deep influence on modern education. Inspired by philosophers, Pestalozzi believed in the ability and the right of every individual human being to learn, and his life was dedicated to eradicate illiteracy. Thanks to him, techniques such as active participation, pupil-centered approaches, or cross-curricular learning have become worldwide education standards! Most of Pestalozzi’s approaches were tested at his institute, which attracted visitors, educators and pupils from all over Europe. In 1805, the school was relocated in Yverdon-les-Bains, in Western Switzerland.

For the body and the mind

Nestling between the Jura, the hills of the Broye and Lake Neuchâtel, Yverdon-les-Bains is one of the oldest towns in Switzerland: primeval menhirs and medieval castles bear testimony to 6,000 years of history! The area is also renowned for its long tradition as a centre for healing. From its popular Roman-era sulphur water thermal spa to the Grande Cariçaie nature conservation centre and its thousands of species of plants and animals, the town is an ideal place to unwind and meditate.

Yverdon-les-Bains is also known for its rich cultural and intellectual heritage. The 13th century-era Savoy Castle, which used to host Pestalozzi’s institute, houses a wide historical exhibition on the region, as well as the curious Swiss Fashion Museum. The legacy of the Swiss pedagogue is currently honored at the Pestalozzi Yverdon documentation and research centre, which actively seeks to promote his teachings and philosophy all around the world.

United by Pestalozzi’s ideals

From 1994 onward, the Town of Kagamino sent its staff to Yverdon-les-Bains on several occasions to gather information on Pestalozzi and its teaching techniques. Thanks to these repeated visits, relations were established with the local authorities, and Syndic (Mayor) Oliver Kernen was invited to visit Kagamino shortly after. On October 7, 1996, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Swiss educator, a friendship charter was signed between the two towns in Yverdon-les-Bains, with the aim of promoting Pestalozzi’s teaching. The ceremony was held in the same town hall that had been used to host his institute.

Since that day, most of Kagamino’s townspeople and numerous children have visited Yverdon-les-Bains on a near-yearly basis, and a statue of Pestalozzi was even built in in front of the town hall of Kagamino (located next to the Pestalozzi Hall) in 1997 as a symbol of growing friendship and a common understanding of social justice, progress and equality between Swiss and Japanese people.