Kanazawa's Sister Cities

Churches from Angara River

Date of sister city agreement: March 20, 1967
Population: 670,000
Area: 306 square kilometers

IRKUTSK
    Irkutsk city, capital of the state of Irkutsu, is located on the southern shores of Lake Baikal where the Angara and Irkuto Rivers meet. It has a continental climate with long and severe winters. More than 80% of its population is Russian and the rest are Mongolian or of other ethnicities.
    The history of Irkutsk began when the Cossacks settled in the region to establish fur trading. In 1686, Fort Irkutsk was promoted to the rank of city, and it began to play an important role in the development of Russia due to its rich natural resources. Today, it is the only industrial city in Siberia that boasts advancements in machinery, lumbering, furniture, food, and architecture. Irkutsk is renown for its sable fur, one type of fur that the city supplies to the world fur market.
    The city is home to leading scientific and technological research institutes like the Irkutsk State University that was first built in East Siberia, the East-Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Science, and Lake Baikal Research Institute. Citizens enjoy cultural and artistic activities through the use of 6 theaters, 15 cinemas, and 34 libraries.

Exchange Activities

visits from sister city delegations to each of the cities
visits from Youth Goodwill Missions to each of the cities
holding amity games between volleyball and other sports
teams
exchanging pictures introducing the cities, children's
artwork, and books
holding international gymnastics performances at the
Winter Festival in Kanazawa
visits from cultural and artistic groups between the
two cities

Youth Goodwill Mission at the Angara River

Click to enter the site of Irkutsk city!