Bath has a longstanding relationship with Shariki, Japan, which dates back to 1889 when the Bath-Built vessel the Chesebrough was wrecked off the shore of Shariki during a storm. Shariki villagers braved the storm and rescued some of the crew, many of whom were from Bath and the Midcoast area. The Americans that passed on were buried in Shariki village and surrounding towns.
This historical relationship has grown into a sister-city relationship between the two communities and a sister-state relationship between Maine and the Aomori region of Japan. Every year, students from Bath, Maine and Shariki, Japan participate in an overseas exchange to better understand each other’s culture. We have the most active sister-city exchange program in the State of Maine.
Generally, students who participate in the exchange are in 8th-12th grade. Bath area students travel to Japan for two weeks through the end of July to beginning of August. Japanese students from Tsugaru stay in Bath for one week at the end of March.
The Bath-Tsugaru Sister-City Exchange Program reorganized in 2007-2008 and is now an official non-profit working closely with Regional School Unit 1 and the City of Bath. They welcome new members, sponsors, volunteers and interested travelers.
