In commemoration of the milestone, Ms Reekie has released the book Bathurst-Ohkuma Sister City Relationship 1989-2018, which documents the colourful and insightful relationship the communities have built over the years.

Ms Reekie said the two communities share a special relationship that highlights the efforts of both localities in promoting multiculturalism.

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"Over the years, both communities have shared a keen interest in each other's culture which, in turn, has continued to enhance our unique relationship," Ms Reekie said.

"While our language and way of life is different, our approach to promoting harmonious community spirit is very similar."

The relationship between Bathurst and Ohkuma began in 1989 after the Japanese government launched an investment program for towns and villages throughout the country to enhance their respective districts.

Ohkuma received 100 million yen [$1 million AUD] as part of the initiative, but Ms Reekie recalls that the town adopted a different approach to implementing the funds.

"The town was already rather wealthy due to the nearby Fukushima nuclear power plant generating plenty of revenue for Ohkuma's residents," she said.

"Instead, they decided to use the money to educate young people through the means of travelling overseas to experience other cultures, and Australia was selected on account of its safety and the fact that students in Japanese schools learnt English."

"A selection of representatives from Ohkuma visited Australia in December 1989 to settle on an ideal location to send residents, and a group of travel agents from Sydney suggested Bathurst."

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In response, Ms Reekie accompanied former Bathurst mayor Nevil Barlow, his wife Ruth and former Rotary Club of Bathurst president Athol Rosengreen to Ohkuma in February 1990 to finalise plans for the first inter-town visit.

The first 'Ohkuma Wings Towards the 21^st Century' group, which consisted of 250 people, visited Bathurst in March 1990, and Ms Reekie played a significant part in arranging homestays and providing smooth communication networks for the guests.

"The visit kept us really busy, and it served as that vital first step in fostering relations between Bathurst and Ohkuma," she said.

"After that initial visit, residents from Bathurst and Ohkuma have visited each other's community almost every year since."

Bathurst and Ohkuma officially became sister cities in March 1991, and Ohkuma visits to Bathurst were renamed 'Wings of Joy' visits in 2001.

The only year that hasn't seen visits between Bathurst and Ohkuma over the last three decades was 2011, the year of the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

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The disaster caused extensive damage to Ohkuma and the nearby Fukushima nuclear power plant, with the release of radioactive material from the plant forcing residents to evacuate the town.

Ms Reekie said the community is currently in the process of rebuilding.

"Although the residents of Ohkuma are living in different cities, they are still united as a community," she said.

"I hope members of the Bathurst community continue to strengthen ties with Ohkuma for generations to come."

Ms Reekie moved to Bathurst in 1974 from a small village in Japan's Nagano prefecture, and taught Japanese at All Saints College for 35 years.

In 2013, she received the Order of the Rising Sun award from the Emperor of Japan for her efforts in international relations.