Miharu, Fukushima

Location of Miharu in Fukushima prefecture

Miharu (三春町; -machi) is a town located in Tamura District, Fukushima, Japan.

As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 19,454 and a density of 267.37 persons per km². The total area is 72.76 km².

Sister City Program

Miharu and Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States, have been sister cities since 1987. Jeana Schieffer helped begin this relationship and continued helping with the sister city program until 2007. Miharu is the home of the only American style bed and breakfast in Japan. It was built in 1993 by American and Japanese carpenters. All of the furnishings are American. Since its opening, some one from Rice Lake has lived and worked there. As of April 2007, the Rice Lake International House, as it is called, will be run by volunteers of the Miharu International Friendship Association (MIFA).

Three Springs

The name "Miharu" in Japanese, means three springs. In most parts of Japan, plum, peach, and cherry trees blossom at different times, but in Miharu, they blossom almost simultaneously. Miharu is home of one of the national treasure cherry trees. Takizakura, or waterfall cherry tree, is over 1000 years old and brings tourists from all over Japan to see it in the springtime.

External links

• Miharu official website - Japanese only
• Rice Lake International House - English and Japanese