Applications for the summer student exchange trip to Hiratsuka, Japan are open for seventh through 12th graders in Douglas County.
Hiratsuka is one of Lawrence’s four sister cities, alongside Eutin, Germany; the Sacred City of Messolonghi (formerly Iniades), Greece; and Tocopilla, Chile.
The trip is from June 25 to July 5, 2026, and is estimated to cost $3,200 to $3,700. Scholarships are available to help students pay for the trip. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 3.
The trip is sponsored by Sister Cities Lawrence and the Friends of Hiratsuka to help residents of the county learn about Japanese society and promote understanding between the two cultures.
The students will stay with Japanese host families and attend Hiratsuka’s famous Tanabata Festival, known for its elaborate, large-scale decorations.
Up to 20 students can participate in the trip, but recent years have seen fewer applicants.
The trip is reciprocal, with students from Hiratsuka visiting Lawrence as well. The two cities have participated in a youth exchange for decades.
Those interested can email lawrencehiratsuka2025@gmail.com.
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