Fujiyoshida was Colorado Springs’ first sister city and began the trend of Colorado Springs linking up to five other cities around the world. Fujiyoshida and Colorado Springs entered into this relationship because both these cities lie at the base of two of the most iconic (and most visited) mountains in the world.
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of becoming sister cities, both will re-create the 600-year-old Fujiyoshida Festival that celebrates Mount Fuji (above is a video of the preparation that goes into the Fujiyoshida Festival). The Mountain Festival will be at America the Beautiful Park Aug. 4. Below are some fun stats that compare Colorado Springs’ Pikes Peak to Fujiyoshida’s Mt Fuji.
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| Pikes Peak (image source). |
14,115 feet above sea level
4,302 meters above sea level
-39.0 lowest recorded temperature, in Fahrenheit
64 highest recorded temperature, in Fahrenheit
15,000 average number of people who (attempt to) climb it a year
2nd most visited mountain in the world
31st highest peak in Colorado
426,388 approximate number of people living in Colorado Springs
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| Mt. Fuji |
12,389 feet above sea level
3,776 meters above sea level
-38.0 lowest recorded temperature, in Fahrenheit
64 highest recorded temperature, in Fahrenheit
200,000 average number of people who (attempt to) climb it a year
1st most visited mountain in the world
1st highest peak in Japan
52,000 approximate number of people living in Fujiyoshida
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| Hyakkimaru |
The FAC is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the link between Colorado Springs and Fujiyoshida with the opening of a new exhibition that features paper cutting art by Japanese artist Hyakkimaru. Hyakkimaru’s art is inspired by the similarities between the culture of the Samurai and the culture of Native Americans.
Hyakkimaru’s Kirie World
July 28–Sept. 15, 2012
Honoring a Legacy: Selections from the Taylor Museum of Native American Works
Oct. 25, 2014–Feb. 28, 2015