by Kate Laffey, Staff Reporter Published June 24, 2026
For some Ames middle school students, next week will be a chance to travel out of the country and experience a new culture with a host family. The students are part of a one-week trip to Ames’ sister city, Koshu, Japan. Three adults and 17 students will be on a 12-hour flight to Tokyo for the night, then heading west toward Koshu, which is north of Mount Fuji.