A child poses inside a UH-60L Black Hawk during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Camp Zama, Japan, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Tens of thousands of visitors toured the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet and other U.S. military installations in Japan over the weekend as part of annual spring festivals.

At Yokosuka, more than 55,000 people attended Saturday’s festivities, which featured food, drinks, tours of the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold, a K-9 demonstration, live music, and other performances.

The event’s attendance surged this year, up from 35,000 in 2024.

“Events like this really show the strong connection and friendship between the base and the local community,” base spokesman Justin Keller told Stars and Stripes by email Monday. “These celebrations are one of the many things that makes serving here so special.”

Camp Zama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival drew about 6,000 people to the home of U.S. Army Japan just outside Tokyo, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

Camp Zama's annual Cherry Blossom Festival drew about 6,000 people to the home of U.S. Army Japan just outside Tokyo, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

A performer draws a crowd during the annual Spring Festival at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, March 22, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)

For Robert Wimes, the base’s fire chief, and his deputy, Arnel Dorn, the festival was an opportunity to meet the local community and share safety tips.

“It’s a great event, great weather, lots of people,” Dorn said at the festival. “We’re here to display our fire trucks, and we also have a safety booth that talks about fire safety during the summer and winter.”

Shin Kawabata, who recently moved to Kanagawa prefecture, visited the base for the first time with his friends.

“It’s been really fun,” he said at the festival, adding that he and his friends enjoyed eating pizza, drinking coffee and listening to live music.

About 20 miles northeast, the home of U.S. Army Japan hosted Camp Zama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which drew about 6,000 people, base spokesman Kenji Toyomura said by phone Saturday.

Camp Zama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival drew about 6,000 people to the home of U.S. Army Japan just outside Tokyo, March 22, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

A clown hands a balloon sword to a visitor at the annual Spring Festival at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, March 22, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)

Though the trees had yet to blossom, the event featured similar attractions as Yokosuka, along with traditional Japanese art experiences and performances.

Kadena Air Base on Okinawa held its two-day America Fest over the weekend, and Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo is set to host its popular Sakura Spring Festival this Saturday.

“We are offering live music performances, featuring local talent, and showcasing a variety of food vendors, games, and activities for all ages,” the 374th Airlift Wing announced on its website. “We are also providing stunning views of the blooming sakura blossoms throughout the venue, creating a unique and memorable experience for all attendees.” wilson.alex@stripes.com @AlexMNWilson ishikawa.akifumi@stripes.com @AkifumiIshikawa