Glendora Sister City Association
Signing of Sister City Affiliation in 1988 (Photo Courtesy of Moka City Hall)
Glendora and Moka's
Sister City Relationship
The cities of Moka and Glendora first became acquainted in 1984 when the Moka High School Band Director became friends with the band director of Glendora High School, as well as the Glendora Chief of Police. Following this exchange, sister city associations were formed in both Moka and Glendora in order to create a citizen delegation to support the formation of a sister city relationship. After both cities had delegations visit one another's cities, the mayors of Moka and Glendora signed an official sister-city agreement on October 1, 1988.
10th Anniversary of Sister City Relationship (Photo Courtesy of Moka City Hall)
30th Anniversary of Sister City Relationship (Photo Courtesy of Moka City Hall)
About Moka
Moka is located in the southeastern part of Tochigi Prefecture and is rich with a natural environment including the Yamizo Mountains to the east and the large Kinu River flowing to the west.
Additionally, Moka is within 56 miles of Tokyo, and it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Tokyo Station by the Tohoku Shinkansen.
Moka has played a central role in the politics, economy, and culture of the Haga region since ancient times, and during the Edo period, it was known throughout Japan as a special production area for Moka cotton.
In 1954, four towns and villages merged to form the city of Moka. In March 2009, Moka merged with the neighboring town of Ninomiya and took on its current form.
In Moka, you can find historic locations like the residence of Ninomiya Sontoku (Kinjirō) and Shinshutakadaha Honjisenshu Temple.
Strawberries
Moka Station
Moka Cotton
Moka is known as the largest strawberry producer in all of Japan and produces a variety of high-quality strawberry products.
Moka Station is famous for its historic steam-locomotive (SL) trains, and the appearance of the station makes it look like one of its iconic SL trains. Moka is home to the only C12 steam locomotive service in Japan.
The city of Moka has been famous for its cotton and cotton-weaving techniques for generations and many wealthy individuals during the Edo Period sought after Moka Cotton textiles.
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Popular Events in Moka
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January: New Year's Day Festival and Daruma Market
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February: Setsubun Festival and Plum Blossom Season
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March: Doll's Day (Girl's Day) Festival and Cherry Blossom Season
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April: Cherry Blossom Season and Night Blossom Festival
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May: Moka Strawberry Festival and Boy's Day Festival
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July and August: Summer Festivals and Floating Lantern Festival
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September: Yabusame Festival
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October: Moka Cotton Festival
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November: Moka SL (Moka Station) Festival
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December: Illumination Displays
Moka-Pyon
Moka-Pyon was created in 2015 and his childhood friend is Cotton-Berry. He has white skin like cotton and wears a strawberry-themed outfit. On his head is the famous Moka SL Train.
Event Calendar
Moka's City Mascots
Cotton-Berry
Cotton-Berry is Moka's first city mascot. She is designed after Moka's famous cotton and strawberries.
Nonoka Harusaki
Nonoka, also known as the Moka Strawberry Cheerleader, is the leader on Tochigi TV's anime show/manga. You can find her posters at popular locations like Moka Station.