Delegates from Sekigahara Battlefield Visit Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg, Pa. — On July 18 and 19, 2024, Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg Foundation staff received a delegation from our Sister Park, the Sekigahara Battlefield, Sekigahara, Japan. Representatives from the Gifu Prefecture government, Sekigahara Battlefield and Japanese tourism associates were in attendance. Since the 2016 World Battlefields Summit Joint Declaration, this most recent visit continued the Sister Park relationship between the Gettysburg and Sekigahara battlefields. At the same time, the Borough of Gettysburg signed a Sister City agreement with the town of Sekigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

Now preserved as a military park, Sekigahara Battlefield is remembered as one of the largest samurai battles in history, when 160,000 opposing eastern and western factions of samurai fought on and around a strategic mountain pass. On October 21, 1600, the Eastern Army of Tokugawa Ieyasu successfully defeated the Western Army of Ishida Mitsunari and so began more than 200 years of peace in Japan. Learn more about the Battle of Sekigahara on Gettysburg National Military Park’s website.

On July 18, Sekigahara Battlefield delegates enjoyed a viewing of the film A New Birth of Freedom, experienced the light and sound show of the Gettysburg Cyclorama and explored the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. Following a tour of the Gettysburg battlefield, the delegates enjoyed time behind the scenes to view artifacts not currently on exhibit, preserved and cared for by Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation.

On July 19, the delegates had the opportunity to explore the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad StationTM, owned and operated by Gettysburg Foundation, where they experienced Gettysburg through virtual reality technology in Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys. On September 5, 2016, this historic station hosted the signing ceremony to celebrate the new Sister Park relationship between Gettysburg National Military Park and the historic Sekigahara Battlefield along with the Sister City relationship between the Borough of Gettysburg and Sekigahara, Japan.

The Japanese delegation visit fosters cultural exchange and strengthens international ties with Gettysburg National Military Park, the Gettysburg Foundation and the Borough of Gettysburg. The delegation also visited the Gettysburg Borough Hall and other businesses in town and experienced a comprehensive understanding of Gettysburg’s significance and impact on American history. Their visit is representative of the Gettysburg Foundation’s efforts to reach new and international audiences through fostering collaboration and mutual promotion of historical and cultural attractions. Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation encourage visitors to learn the significance of such momentous historical events from different countries and cultures for a more holistic and informed view about our shared human heritage.

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