The son of Tech. Sgt. David Stubblefield, of the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron, poses in a colorful kimono on Japan Culture Day at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Japan is rich in vibrant culture and Japanese base workers recently shared it with their U.S. counterparts at this airlift hub in western Tokyo.
Hundreds of guests showed up Friday to enjoy Japan Culture Day, an annual event that combines traditional dancing and music, such as taiko, or Japanese drums, tea ceremonies and foods like mochi, or rice cake.
Dancers put on a show during Japan Culture Day at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
Members of the Japanese Welfare Association serve oshiruko, a sweet red bean soup, and tonjiru, a savory pork and vegetable soup, on Japan Culture Day at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
Chief Master Sgt. Griselda Criddell, of the 374th Maintenance Squadron, and her daughter try on kimonos during Japan Culture Day at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
Dancers put on a show during Japan Culture Day at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
Col. Richard McElhaney, commander of the 374th Airlift Wing, participates in a kagami-biraki ceremony on Japan Culture Day at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2025. The ceremony involved breaking a sake barrel's lid open to celebrate new beginnings. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)
Dressing up in a kimono — a long, loose garment with wide sleeves that’s tied with a sash — was particularly popular with airmen and their families.
The first Japan Culture Day was held in 2003, at the request of Yokota’s then-vice commander, Col. Kenneth Wavering. He wanted to provide an opportunity to experience and learn the local culture, he said, because it’s important to understand the host nation to build a better friendship.
