Iwakuni

Cpls. Jose Castrobaez, left, and Raekwon Johnson, C-130J engine mechanics, assisted a Japanese civilian who was injured July 27, 2019, while spearfishing near Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. They are pictured near the scene on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. JAMES BOLINGER/STARS AND STRIPES
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Iwakuni-based Marines praised for helping Japanese man impaled by fishing spear

Two Iwakuni-based Marines were lauded Tuesday for aiding a Japanese man who was injured while spear fishing near the air station on July 27.
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Brady Petrillo, the commanding officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, speaks during the Sound of Freedom Campaign with Nagi Town officials at MCAS Iwakuni, July 17, 2019. The visit consisted of a tour through the air station to give guests a better understanding of base operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Triton Lai)
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Sound of Freedom; Nagi Town officials visit MCAS Iwakuni

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Fuerst, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, hosted a Sound of Freedom Campaign with Nagi Town representatives at MCAS Iwakuni, July 17, 2019.
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MY FAVES: Fireworks sites in Japan

Throughout the summer, Japan’s night skies light up with the brilliance of “hanabi,” or fireworks. With more than 80 fireworks festivals nationwide, you’re sure to have an opportunity to catch one during your stay.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Irori Sanzoku: Iwakuni restaurant will leave you coming back for more

If Quentin Tarantino gets a chance to come to Iwakuni, Sanzoku is the one restaurant I’d take him to. It has the over-the-top décor and ambiance that are the hallmark of one of his films.
 
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Exploring Hiraodai Countryside Park

When I was planning my visit to the Wisteria Garden in Kitakyushu this year, I decided to do some research to see what else was in the area. This is how I found out about the Hiraodai Countryside Park! There was some information in English, but the photos are what made me want to check it out.
An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 departs Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 18, 2017. An F-35B with the same squadron was damaged by a birdstrike at Iwakuni on May 7, 2019. (AARON HENSON/U.S. MARINE CORPS)
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F-35B bird strike at Marine air station in Japan does over $2 million in damage

A bird strike has caused more than $2 million damage to a Japan-based Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter, according to a U.S. military spokesman.
Firefighters with Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni Fire Department conduct escalator rescue drills at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, April 9, 2019. The firefighters used an escalator in the old Marine Corps exchange because the building is slated for demolition later this year. This was a unique training experience for the firefighters because many had never conducted escalator rescue drills mostly due to high repair costs that come with the training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)
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Deescalating future escalator incidents from escalating into heartbreaking tragedies

Even after its closure, the old Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni still serves a purpose on base. Slated for demolition later this year, firefighters with MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department used the dark, empty building to conduct escalator rescue drills on April 9, 2019.
U.S. service members, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents and local Japanese residents participate in the 52nd MCAS Iwakuni Marathon and Half Marathon at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, April 7, 2019. The event was held by Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni in order to strengthen the bond between the local Japanese community and the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Jones)
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MCAS Iwakuni: 26.6 miles of farmland and fighter jets

Three hundred and sixty-one Japanese residents, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and U.S. service members ran through the flight line and residential areas of MCAS Iwakuni and Iwakuni City, April 7, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell
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Iwakuni walking together in unity

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Iwakuni City leadership participated in the 10th Joint Leadership Walk in Iwakuni City, March 15, 2019.
An unexploded bomb from World War II was removed from a construction site near Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sunday, March 17, 2019. JAMES BOLINGER/STARS AND STRIPES
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Workers defuse, remove 500-pound WWII-era bomb near MCAS Iwakuni

A World War II-era American bomb was removed safely Sunday morning from a school construction site in Iwakuni by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
File photo
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Everything you need to know about chopsticks in Japan

Any meal in Japan is sure to include some form of chopsticks. Since their invention in ancient China more than 3,000 years ago, chopsticks have been widely used in Asian countries.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: American|Mexican

Mike's Tex-Mex restaurant near Yokota AB offers taste of home

A 10-minute walk from Fussa Station, the eye-catching yellow wall with red letters of “Mike’s Tex-Mex” invited me to sample homemade tex-mex foods.
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Speakin’ Japanese: Sushi sayings

The following Japanese phrases sure will help you fully enjoy some tasty sushi. Don’t be afraid to speak up, it’s part of the fun.
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Pub

Kirin City Plus: Tasty lunch with ocean view at Yokohama Bay Quarter

Strolling the Yokohoma Bayside is fun. The area has many museums, shops, restaurants and activities to offer. Check out Yamashita Park, Marine Tower, Minato Mirai district with Cosmoworld, its famous Ferris wheel, Landmark Tower and Queen’s Square.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Café

Speakin' Japanese: Tapioca Talk

Tapioca is booming in Japan. Why not take a break and enjoy the latest drink craze? 
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Café

Let's 'do tapioca' at Tokyo Tapioca Land

In Japan, tapioca drinks and sweets are in the vogue, especially among young women.