RAPID CITY - "They're not that different from us."

That is the first thought that comes to mind when Kevin Krejcarek, publicity chairman for the Sister City Association of Rapid City, describes the people of Nikko City, Japan, one of Rapid City's two sister cities.

See Krejcarek's view on the Nikko City and the sister city program.

"We all have the same goals in life," Krejcarek said. "We just have a different language and a different way of doing things."

Rapid City's relationship with Nikko City began in the early 1990s with the city of Imaichi. Imaichi combined with four other cities in March 2006 to form Nikko City.

Rapid City was then selected as Nikko City's sister city.

Krejcarek said this is an honor, considering Nikko City could only choose one sister city in the United States and the other cities forming Nikko City had ties to other choices.

"It's an honor and shows that the Rapid City program is quite dynamic," he said.

A delegation from Rapid City traveled to Nikko City in April for a visit and acknowledgment of the sister city relationship.

A formal ceremony to honor that relationship will be held Oct. 1 at The Journey Museum, when a delegation from Nikko City will visit the Black Hills.

A delegation from Apolda, Germany - Rapid City's other sister city - will also visit the Black Hills at the end of September and beginning of October. The mayor of Apolda will be among the visitors.

Like Nikko City, Apolda became a sister city to Rapid City in 1994.

Several exchange visits have taken place between Apolda and Rapid City, including a firefighter exchange between the two cities in 2000.

There also have been exchanges of law enforcement and medical personnel.

Diana Cornford of the Rapid City Police Department said those exchanges are intended to be educational.

"But we also have time for a lot of fun," Cornford said.

Lt. Dan Ladenburger of Rapid City's fire department has visited Apolda twice.

"We just feel so welcome when we're over there," Ladenburger said. "We try to return the favor when they visit us here."

Deb Tieszen, a nurse at Rapid City Regional Hospital and wife of former Rapid City Police Chief Craig Tieszen, has visited Apolda three times.

"They learn as much from you as you learn from them," Tieszen said about the Apolda delegates.

She said Apolda residents are interested in the Native American and cowboy culture of the Black Hills.

One thing that seems to surprise them about the Black Hills is the distance between the towns.

Tieszen said the friendships she has made during her three visits to Apolda have stayed strong.

Sister city visitors to both Apolda and Nikko City said one activity that enhances a visit to another country is spending time at the homes of host families.

"You get to actually interact with the whole family," Ladenburger said.

Rapid City residents involved with both sister cities say several of the visitors from Apolda and Nikko City speak English, and a few of the Rapid City residents speak their languages. Those who do not speak the other's language manage to communicate in other ways.

Krejcarek said facial expressions and gestures are often a way to get the point across.

"As you learn from each other you find your differences aren't that great," Krejcarek said. "The differences go away as you learn more from each other."

Visitors to Apolda and Nikko City say the cities have landscapes and weather similar to that of Rapid City but with less snowfall.

Both cities rest among rolling hills and trees.

Nikko City's official Web site describes it as "a city of sunlight, with the wind fragrant with each of the four seasons."

Krejcarek said the cherry trees in the Nikko City area are beautiful, especially in prime blossom season. Two blossoming cherry trees were donated by Nikko City to Storybook Island and are planted near the park entrance.

While the Nikko City delegates, who range in age from 22 to 80, are in Rapid City, they will visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Custer State Park for the annual buffalo roundup.

Krejcarek said visitors from Nikko City in the past have valued time spent at their host family's homes.

"The idea is to learn a new culture, have new experiences and learn from each other on both the diversity and the commonality," Krejcarek said.

The Apolda delegation will also visit Mount Rushmore and the buffalo roundup and will tour the Rapid City Police Department, evidence building, Pennington County Jail and Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Cornford said the delegates also requested time for shopping.

Find out more about the sister city program

The public is welcome to meet the Apolda delegates and get more information about becoming involved in traveling or hosting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the Rapid City Police Clubhouse, 2500 Golden Eagle Drive.

More information about joining the Apolda Sister City group is available by writing to P.O. Box 9672, Rapid City, SD 57709.

For more information about joining the Nikko City group, anyone is welcome to attend the group's monthly meetings at 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Golden Phoenix Restaurant on West Main Street in Rapid City.

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com