Lansing plants cherry blossom to honor sister city relationship

FRIDAY, April 26 — The Japanese cherry blossom grove along the Lansing River Trail is in bloom. The initial trees were planted in 2013 as a gift from the consulate general of Japan in Detroit for Lansing’s sister city relationship with Otsu, Japan. Now, the city of Lansing adds one more cherry blossom to its ranks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its sister city agreement.

“This is the first time the trees are blossoming when we’ve done a commemoration. They are beautiful trees this time of year and a signature that spring is here,” said Lansing’s parks and recreation director, Brett Kaschinske. “This will get there eventually and grow up. They are a fast growing tree and we are really excited about that.”

Deputy General Yuki Sakai of the Japanese consulate in Detroit made the trip for the ceremony.

“I hope this tree will continue to grow as a symbol of friendship between Lansing and Otsu. It is the perfect weather to see these blossoms,” Sakai said.

The Lansing-Otsu sister city agreement is part of Michigan’s greater agreement with the Shiga Prefecture of Japan signed by then-Michigan Gov. George Romney in 1968.

Shunsuke Nishimura attended the ceremony as a Shiga visiting official. He coordinates sister city activities throughout Michigan’s 13 Japanese sister cities and studied abroad in Lansing for the entirety of eighth grade 23 years ago.

“Every two years, we send delegates to each other. This year, Michigan sent 34 delegates to Shiga. So far, 50,000 people came to and from Japan in this relationship,” he said.  

Mayor Andy Schor will return the favor and travel to Otsu later this year to celebrate.

The Japanese cherry blossom grove is on the Lansing River Trail just south of the Shiawassee Street bridge.

Editor's Note: A date in this story was adjusted for clarification.