The city of Rennes, located in Ille-et-Vilaine, is not only the capital of Brittany but also serves as a cultural bridge to Japan, thanks to its sister city relationship with Sendai, a city of one million residents in the Tôhoku region, north of Tôkyô.
This connection, officially established on September 6, 1967, has fostered deep and enriching relationships between the two cities, supported by the Shimai Toshi Sendai (姉妹都市仙台) association, created in 1999 to manage and develop this partnership.
Several local organizations are dedicated to promoting traditional and popular Japanese culture in Rennes. Additionally, various quality restaurants add to the city's Japanese cultural offerings.
Sister City Relationship Between Rennes and Sendai
The Shimai Toshi Sendai (姉妹都市仙台) association oversees the sister city relationship between Rennes and Sendai:
- The sister city agreement was officially signed on September 6, 1967.
- The Shimai Toshi Sendai association was established on March 18, 1999, at the Maison Internationale de Rennes.
The activities of this partnership include participating in various cultural events to introduce the people of Rennes to Sendai and managing cultural exchanges.
Key Events in the Sister City Relationship
- Sendai’s frequent participation in the Rennes International Fair.
- Participation in the "Marchés du Monde Solidaire" (Solidarity World Markets) held annually at the end of November.
- Sports exchanges, particularly "Tout Rennes Court" and the Sendai half marathon.
- University and school exchanges with host families.
- Concerts by singer Sachiko Kaiyama in Rennes in 2001 and 2004.
- The "Tsunami Of Love" event organized after the 2011 earthquake.
- 50th-anniversary celebration of the sister city relationship in November 2017.
Rennes and Its Asteroid!
An interesting fact: on October 8, 1989, astronomer Masahiro Koishikawa from Sendai’s astronomical observatory discovered an asteroid, which he named "(6190) Rennes"!
Sendai Square
On October 30, 1978, a little over ten years after the sister city agreement was signed, the Rennes city council named a garden in the Maurepas neighborhood "Sendai Square".
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship, a participatory budget project was proposed by the residents to renovate the square. The project won the participatory budget vote, and the renovated square was inaugurated on September 13, 2018.
March 11, 2011, Earthquake
On March 11, 2011, the entire Sendai region was struck by a magnitude 9 earthquake, followed by a devastating tsunami. This disaster destroyed much of the coastline and led to the infamous Fukushima nuclear plant catastrophe. Just as Sendai had supported Rennes after the Parliament of Brittany fire on February 4, 1994, Rennes showed solidarity with Sendai by releasing emergency funds. The sister city association launched the "Tsunami of Love" campaign to send 2012 drawings to the disaster-stricken residents of Sendai.
Japanese Activities in Rennes
Rennes is rich in activities that allow residents to discover and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. These activities are offered by several local associations and organizations, ranging from traditional to popular Japanese culture.
Traditional Culture
Bretagne-Japon, the oldest association in Rennes dedicated to Japanese culture, was founded in 1988. It brings together Brittany’s enthusiasts around various aspects of Japanese culture, offering language classes, ikebana (flower arrangement) and sewing workshops, as well as cultural evenings and outings.
The Shimai Toshi Sendai (姉妹都市仙台) association also plays a central role, not only managing the sister city relationship but also organizing various events to promote traditional Japanese arts in Rennes.
A newcomer, Umikan, founded in 2022, offers a range of activities centered on Japanese culture, such as cooking classes, origami workshops, discussions about Japan, and Japanese language courses, all in a friendly and personalized setting.
Popular Culture
For fans of Japanese pop culture, Japan Spirit Event is a very active association in the Rennes region. It organizes themed events, quizzes, karaoke nights, and board games, and regularly participates in festivals with cosplay parades and activities.
Students in Rennes can also engage in Japanese culture through university associations such as Tomodachi (for University Rennes 2) and Kuro Usagi No Ryodan (for University Rennes 1). These associations regularly organize karaoke nights, game evenings, and actively participate in Rennes’ Japanese festivals.
Where to Enjoy Japanese Cuisine in Rennes
Rennes offers a diverse Japanese culinary scene, from traditional restaurants to specialized grocery stores and supermarkets that carry Japanese products.
Japanese Restaurants
Fuji, open since 1998, is a true institution in Rennes, renowned for its traditional Japanese cuisine. This restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, including bentô, sushi, and yakitori, and is considered by many to be the best Japanese restaurant in the city.
Les Sakura, another must-visit spot, opened in 2020, functions as both a restaurant and a grocery store. It stands out for its homemade bentô to-go, made with fresh ingredients.
For ramen lovers, Ramen Ya and Mandoo are great places to enjoy this popular dish.
Specialized Supermarkets
Residents of Rennes have several options for finding Japanese and Asian products. Belle Asie, located north of the city center, is the main wholesaler of Asian products in Rennes, offering a wide variety of Japanese goods.
Piment Rouge, with stores in Cesson-Sévigné and La Mézière, is another option, offering a range of exotic products, including Japanese specialties.
Leclerc supermarkets in Rennes also provide a selection of Japanese products, such as freshly made sushi and typical beverages (lemonades, Japanese beers, etc.).
Other Shops
Several other stores in downtown Rennes also offer Japanese products. Japanim specializes in manga and figurines. The Yotsuya craft shop offers various traditional items such as chopsticks, tea boxes, tableware, zori, and more.
