2026: 67th Anniversary of One of the United States’ Oldest and Strongest Sister City Relationships-Portland, OregonNEW

The Sapporo Pagoda Lantern
In 2026, Portland and Sapporo celebrate 67 years of one of America’s oldest sister-city relationships. That friendship is powerfully symbolized by the Sapporo Pagoda Lantern, an 18-foot stone lantern gifted to Portland in 1964 as the Japanese Garden was taking shape. Towering above Cherry Tree Hill, the lantern’s five-tier pagoda form and lotus finial reflect deep Buddhist tradition and centuries of cultural history.

More than 100 years old and carved from prized Shikoku granite, the two-ton lantern once stood at the Sugawara Mansion near Sapporo. Acquired by Japanese organizations and donated to Portland, it became a lasting symbol of reconciliation and peace just decades after World War II. Today, resting on its mossy hillside, the Sapporo Pagoda Lantern stands as a quiet but enduring testament to friendship, cultural exchange, and the healing power of citizen diplomacy.

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