City of Temecula and Daisen Town Visit MSJC Temecula Campus
12/15/2025
The City of Temecula and Daisen Town in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, continue to celebrate a longstanding and meaningful Sister City relationship that has spanned more than three decades. Established on May 13, 1994, the partnership now marks 31 years of cultural exchange, mutual learning, and community connection.
As part of this ongoing relationship, Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) recently hosted a delegation from Daisen Town in partnership with the City of Temecula’s Sister City Program. During their visit, the delegation toured MSJC’s Temecula Valley Campus and expressed genuine excitement about the college and its role in serving the region. The guests were especially impressed by their campus experience, including a visit to one of MSJC’s laboratories, where they received a preview of the cadaver area—an experience that highlighted the college’s commitment to hands-on, high-quality education.
Daisen Town is a small agricultural community of approximately 15,000 residents, named after the iconic Mount Daisen, meaning “Big Mountain.” Despite its size, Daisen plays an important role in Tottori Prefecture through its diverse agricultural production and strong cultural heritage. The town is known for producing broccoli, pears, apples, buckwheat, white leeks, and melons, and for maintaining livestock operations and supporting the prefecture's second-largest fishing catch. Daisen also offers recreation and tourism opportunities, preserves historic traditions, and hosts seasonal festivals throughout the year.
When the Sister City relationship was formed in 1994, Daisen was an ideal match for Temecula. Both communities shared similar values, including a commitment to agriculture, historical preservation, and a strong sense of community life—connections that continue to strengthen the partnership today.
The Sister City program is sustained through the dedication of community liaisons and partner organizations on both sides of the Pacific. Liaisons include Midori Watanabe for Daisen Town and Isabel Morales and AJ Hughes for Temecula. Supporting organizations include the City of Temecula Community Service District, Daisen Town, and the Nakayama International Exchange Association, Daisen Town’s volunteer-based international exchange organization.
While the City of Temecula continues to maintain the Sister City relationship at the municipal level, community involvement remains central to its success. Residents, local organizations, and businesses are encouraged to support these cultural exchanges, which foster global understanding and shared growth. In particular, the annual exchanges depend heavily on the generosity of local families who host visitors from Daisen, opening their homes and strengthening bonds between the two communities.
Together, Temecula, Daisen Town, and community partners, including MSJC, continue to demonstrate the lasting value of international collaboration, educational exchange, and people-to-people connections that transcend borders.