On March 27th, 1996, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin signed an agreement creating a partnership with various organizations of the Arakawa River in Japan. The Arakawa, which originates on scenic Mount Kobushi in the Saitama Prefecture then flows into Tokyo Bay is now the Potomac's "Sister River." The ICPRB and a committee composed of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association, government agencies, and corporate sponsors in Japan have agreed to foster an information and cultural exchange between the people of the two river basins. It is hoped that the exchange will function much like the many sister city agreements now in place between cities around the world.

Although these two rivers which flow through their respective nation's capitols are half a world apart, their common link is the cherry tree. The cherry blossoms which adorn both river valleys beautifully are one strong bond in this international friendship. In the words of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association "May these two river basin communities become a nursery for fertile, friendly ties between Japan and the United States."

National Cherry Blossom Festival-official website

National Park Service Cherry Blossom Information

National Park Service Cherry Blossom web cam

National Conference of State Societies, Cherry Blossom Fest.