Oyama, Japan

Oyama is located in the southern area of Tochigi prefecture, just 80 kilometres north of Tokyo.

The local time of Oyama is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +9 which is one hour behind Cairns.

Although Oyama has a left-coast climate, it reaches both extremes in the summer and winter months. Most summer days are over 30 degrees Celsius and occasionally reach 35. The rainy season is usually the month of June and the Omoi River fills right to the edge in some places. In winter, the lowest temperature is about -5 degrees and there are only a handful of days of snow, but the wind chill factor makes for a very cold winter especially in January and February.

The population of Oyama is approximately 166,000 (2015), Japan 126.5 million.

The Sister City agreement is effective from the day of signing until its 10th anniversary when the Mayors of Cairns and Oyama will confer to renew the bond for a second decade. The agreement was signed on 15 May 2006.

The proclamation reads

'The cities of Cairns, Queensland in Australia and Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture, in Japan hereby signal their intent to establish lasting and friendly relations by formally entering into a Sister City relationship.They agree to promote economic, educational, cultural and sport exchanges to generate mutual understanding and goodwill leading to a better life for their citizens. Through this agreement they will:

• Communicate with one another on a frequent and continual basis to strengthen their links, always responsive to special needs and requests.
• Identify and implement projects that will provide specific, meaningful contributions to the health, welfare and prosperity of the people of Cairns and Oyama.
• Regard the officials and citizens of one another's city with utmost respect, friendship and goodwill.'

• 2025   Deputy Mayor Brett Olds hosted twenty-two high school students, their school principal, two teachers and five officials from Oyama City during their visit to Cairns on Wednesday 20 August.  On Friday 22 August, we enjoyed a sausage sizzle at the Sister Cities BBQ on the Esplanade with host families and local community members who helped make their visit possible.
• 2024   Mayor Amy Eden hosted a Morning Tea for twenty-two high school students and four teachers from Oyama during their visit to Cairns on Wednesday 21 August.  On Sunday 25 August, Oyama joined our other Sister City students from Minami at the Sister Cities BBQ on the Esplanade for a joint BBQ with each other, host families and the local community.
• 2023   Mayor Bob Manning hosted a Morning Tea for the Oyama student delegation visiting Cairns in August.
• 2019   Oyama student delegation visits Cairns in August
• 2018   Oyama student delegation visits Cairns in August
• 2018   Cairns Mayor Bob Manning and Oyama Mayor Toshio Okubo sign a new agreement on 26 October.
• 2017   Students and teachers from Oyama Junior High School visit Cairns in August.
• 2016   Cairns Sister Cities Ambassador Sim Hayward visits Oyama in November.
• 2016   Oyama Student delegation visits Cairns in August
• 2015   Mayor Toshio Okubo leads a delegation, including the new President of Oyama City Council, Ryohei Seki, to Cairns (pictured above, touring the Watkins Munro Martin Conservatory at the Cairns Botanic Gardens).
• 2015   Oyama Student delegation visits Cairns in August
• 2014   Chair of Cairns Sister Cities Advisory visits Oyama City in February
• 2014   Two students from Oyama visit Cairns in August as part of the Youth Ambassadors Program
• 2013   Oyama Mayor Toshio Okubo leads delegation to Cairns
• 2013   Oyama Junior High School students visit Cairns for 10^th student exchange
• 2013   ALT/CIR Michelle Young appointed from Cairns to Oyama
• 2012   Visit to Oyama by Paronella Park owners for Dream Letter project
• 2012   Cairns State High School students visit Oyama
• 2012   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns
• 2012   Oyama Councillor Norio Oyama visit to Cairns
• 2011   Oyama Mayor Toshio Okubo visits Cairns with a delegation to celebrate five years as Sister City
• 2011   Oyama Deputy Mayor Mr Miyajima accompanies junior high school students on Cairns visit
• 2011   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns
• 2011   Youth Ambassadors attend program in Cairns
• 2011   Mayor Val Schier visit to Oyama
• 2010   Councillor Di Forsyth visit to Oyama
• 2010   Cairns State High School students visit Oyama
• 2010   Edge Hill State School students visit to Oyama
• 2010   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns
• 2009   Oyama participated in the Cairns "Face of a Sister City" photographic exhibition
• 2009   Councillor Di Forsyth visit to Oyama
• 2008   Ruby Wilson, St Monica's Catholic College sponsored by Australia Japan Society of FNQ to visit Oyama.
• 2008   Oyama participated in the Cairns "Earth Links" Sister Cities ceramics exhibition
• 2008   Oyama Dance and Cultural Groups visit to Cairns
• 2008   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns
• 2008   Oyama Council delegation visit to Cairns
• 2007   Cairns State High School students visit to Oyama
• 2006   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns City Council
• 2006   Councillor Margaret Gill visit to Oyama
• 2006   Sister Cities Agreement Signed in Cairns
• 2006    A delegation from Oyama City visited Cairns, bringing with them artworks and cultural items. The exhibition, Dear Shisuta, was displayed for six weeks at the Tanks Arts Centre.
• 2005   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns
• 2005   Oyama Council delegation visit to Cairns
• 2004   Councillor Alan Blake and Councillor Margaret Gill visit for 50th Anniversary of City of Oyama
• 2003   Oyama Junior High School students visit to Cairns
• 2002   Mayor Toshio Okubo, Oyama visit to Cairns

More information

• Oyama City website
• Oyama City on Wikipedia
• The Australia Japan Society of FNQ Inc