On April 6, not only did Misawa Air Base’s fun Japan Day event return, but so did a much-needed taste of the spring season.

Hundreds of visitors joined in the cultural activities at the Misawa Club while enjoying warming temperatures as cherry blossom soon approaches.

Japan Day is an annual event held at the air force base since 1988 to give base residents and neighbors an opportunity for cultural exchange and fun activities.

This year, under the theme “Two Cultures, One Community,” the organizers planned traditional performances, a kimono fashion show, live music and other great activities. The event also had many outdoor activities like rickshaw rides and food vendors selling Japanese festival foods including yakitori and ramen.

“The sumo wrestling and naginata demonstrations by local high schoolers were some of the most popular attractions during the event,” Yoshihito Morita, a Misawa Commissary employee said. “Visitors enjoyed festival foods outside, too, and yakisoba and other Japanese foods were sold out before noon.”

Now that the start of spring has kicked off in the area, Misawa has cherry blossom to look forward to very soon.

Misawa Air Base