About Our Program

Since 1972, the Heart of America Japan-America Society and the city of Kansas City, Missouri have engaged in a Sister City Program with the beautiful city of Kurashiki, Japan. Since 1981, our members have helped sponsor almost 80 American high school and first-year college students in a summer home-stay program in Kurashiki. These “Student Ambassadors” have studied the Japanese language and are well qualified to represent the Japan-America Society.

Want to Learn More?

Information about the 2024 program will be posted on this page in January 2024. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email hoa.japanamericasociety@gmail.com.

You can read about our 2023 Student Ambassadors' experiences in their post-trip essays below. 

     Nigel Barrett Essay        Aidan Joyce Essay       Caleb Morris Essay

Nigel Barrett, Aidan Joyce, and Caleb Morris

2023 Student Ambassadors to Kurashiki, Okayama - Japan