ON Wednesday, August 5, "the best little town on the Downs" hosted international visitors very interested in seeing the sights of Allora and surrounds as part of a sister city visit while gaining an appreciation of Australian rural town sustainability and industry.

The Mayor of Kumiyama in Japan, Shinki Yasutaka, his wife Shinki Momoyo and secretary Okuno Shintaro were special guests in Allora and surrounds, accompanied by Keiko and David Brailey of Warwick, Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Peter Blundell, Cr Glyn Rees and Southern Downs Regional Council's economic development project officer Jenny Sherrin.

A sister city of Warwick for two decades and now of the Southern Downs, Kumiyama is in Kuse District, Kyoto Prefecture on the island of Honshu and has a population of close to 20,000.

The Australian visit, albeit a brief almost five days, commenced on Sunday, August 2 at the Gold Coast and included a day boating on Moreton Bay before heading to Warwick.

After tours in the Warwick area and visits to local industries, the Warwick State High School and the School of Total Education over the Monday and Tuesday, the tour party headed to Allora on Wednesday.

The Mayor of Kumiyama's visit coincided with a tour to the Southern Downs by students of the Kumiyama High School, who were treated to a welcome and morning tea on the Tuesday.

The morning in Allora included a tour of Maydan feedlot courtesy of staff members Brian Gartery and Russell McMillan.

Next on the schedule was a tour of Denny's Engineering's Haigs Rd workshop thanks to Yoshiyuki Fujimoto, from owner Satake, and staff members Steve Blakemore and Albert Otten. The Kumiyama visitors were amazed at the size and statistics of the Maydan facility, and showed a special interest in the wagyu cattle, before a very detailed presentation about silo manufacturing at Denny's Engineering.

Following the industry tours the Railway Hotel provided a very enjoyable morning tea for all visitors. Many thanks to Robyn Miles.

Allora's special guests then headed for an afternoon at the Gold Coast before departing for Japan early Thursday morning.