Our Sister City

History of our Sister City relationship with Ibusuki

  • The Rockhampton Region's Sister City relationship with Ibusuki began with the signing of the first Sister City Agreement on November 21, 1980.
  • After Ibusuki underwent an amalgamation in 2006, former Rockhampton Mayor, Margaret Strelow and former Rockhampton City Council CEO, Gary Stevenson travelled to Ibusuki to re-sign the Sister City Agreement.
  • Ibusuki Mayor Mr Taharasako and the Chairman of Ibusuki City Council, Mr Susumu Shinguryo visited our region from July 7 to July 10, 2008 to re-sign the Sister City Agreement with the new Rockhampton Regional Council, and to meet with many people from around our region.
  • Some of the major exchanges between our two regions has included:
    • The construction of the Japanese Gardens in the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens – as a gift from Ibusuki to the citizens of Rockhampton. The Japanese Gardens were opened on June 17, 1982 and have been enjoyed by hundreds of people.
    • The construction of an Australian-style garden in Ibusuki City, as a symbol of the eternal friendship between our citizens, opened on April 18, 1983.
    • In November 1998, Rockhampton City Council presented Ibusuki City with a statue of a Belmont Red Bull, which is proudly on display in Rockhampton Road in Ibusuki City.
    • The bronze “Sunamushi” sculpture is a reciprocal gift from Ibusuki City. The sculpture is named, “the bather, clad in a cotton kimono” and is on display at the Rockhampton Art Gallery.

About Ibusuki     指宿市

Ibusuki City lies on the Kirishima Volcanic Zone and is famous for its Sunamushi Onsen, natural hot sand baths which attract 3.3 million tourists each year. Hot springs percolate through the sand on the beaches and staff, armed with shovels, can help to bury you in "hot sand".

Established: Ibusuki was founded on April 1, 1954. On January 1, 2006 it incorporated Kaimon and Yamagawa, two towns formerly belonging to the Ibusuki District.

Population: Following the incorporation of Kaimon and Yamagawa on January 1, 2006 the City has an estimated population of 47,583 and covers 148.88 km².

Location: Ibusuki City is located at the southern-most tip of Satsuma Peninsular, at the entrance of Kagoshima Bay on the southern-most point of Kyushu Island, in Japan. Lake Ikeda (the biggest lake on Kyushu Island) is at the centre of Ibusuki City and Mt Kaimon, which is 924m high and is called Satsuma Fuji, oversees the City.

Climate: A tropical climate that has lots of seasonal flowers throughout the year.

Events: Major events include the Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon in January, the Flower Festival and Mt Kaimon Climb in March, Kyushu Classic Car Festival in April, the Ibusuki Triathlon Race, Aloha Sengen Ceremony and Ibusuki Hula Festival in May. (In late May, the Mayor of Ibusuki declares it is time to wear aloha shirts to set the Hawaiian mood.) Other events include the Yamagawa Minato Matsuri in June, the Ibusuki Onsen Matsuri, Kaimon Natumatsuri and Baby Sea Turtle Festival in August, Sunamusi Week in October, and the Ibusuki Thanksgiving Festival in December.


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