Hello, or “konnichiwa,” Lakeland. What do Swan City and Imabari, Japan have in common? The two might seem completely unrelated, but they are actually sister cities.

According to Sister Cities International, the idea behind these partnerships is to cultivate international relationships, explore different cultures, and stimulate economic development.

No need to grab your passport. We're giving you a quick tour of Lakeland’s five sister cities — all from the comfort of home. Without further ado, meet Lakeland's sister cities:

Imabari, Japan

Est. 1995 | Home to a 17th-century castle, this island city in Japan is a biker’s paradise. Students from Lakeland and Imabari travel to each city to learn each other's languages and cultures nearly every year.

Bălți, Moldova

Est. 1997 | This city's name is pronounced "Beltz," but it's also known as the “northern capital” for its cultural and commercial contributions. The partnership between this post-Soviet city in Eastern Europe began after Lakeland audiologist Dr. Gregory Spirakis traveled to Bălți to help children facing hearing loss after the collapse of the USSR.

Chongming, China

Est. 2007 | Chongming holds the title of the third-largest island in China. It comes in at 545 sq miles — for context, Lakeland encompasses 75. Lakeland and Chongming share a love of mutual prosperity through education, technology, sports, business, and culture.

Portmore, Jamaica is home to Hellshire Beach seen here. | Photo by @explorewithtash

Portmore, Jamaica

Est. 2009 | A large coastal city with plenty of sunny beach views, Portmore and Lakeland formed connections via local schools, governments, and tourism.

Richmond Hill, Canada

Est. 1990 | We end our virtual vacation in our oldest sister city. Richmond Hill and Lakeland share activities like lawn bowling, ice hockey, and golf. The two cities have also hosted exchange students.