Photo By Garrett A Zopfi | 180407-N-GH917-024 (April 7, 2018) YOKOSUKA, Japan – Visitors enjoy the annual...... read more read more
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Smiles, laughter, and the smell of food filled the air as U.S. Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka welcomed more than 35,000 visitors to base during the 25th annual Spring Festival, a popular open-base event, April 7.
The Spring Festival, a cooperative effort of FLEACT Yokosuka, the City of Yokosuka, the Yokosuka City Tourism Association and the Yokosuka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, exemplifies the best of the Yokosuka community.
"This Spring Fest has been held since 1994, making this the 25th year it's been held," said Yokosuka City Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji. "The continuation of these exchange events deepen the relationship between the United States and Japan."
The deep mutual respect between the Americans serving in Japan and the visitors from the host nation was apparent during the Spring Festival, held each year on base.
"I love American culture and interacting with Americans," said Uno Sekine of Chigasaki City. "I'm really excited to communicate with Americans [today]."
The interest in American culture spreads further than Chigasaki City on the coast of Kanagawa Prefecture, where Sekine traveled from.
"Today, I'm happy to not only welcome our close neighbors," said Commander, FLEACT Yokosuka Capt. Jeffrey Kim at the festival's opening ceremony, "but also those who have traveled from far to be with us [on] Yokosuka Naval Base."
Some families traveled from the farthest shores of Japan to experience the open base, like Motohiro Omuchi, who traveled with his three sons from Hokkaido, the farthest north prefecture and island in the Japanese archipelago.
"I was aboard the Mustin in Otaru, Hokkaido last February and after that I had to see [the base in] Yokosuka," said Omuchi. "The Sailors were so kind to my sons [today] and many signed their hats! We can't wait to come next year!"
Even for the Sailors onboard FLEACT Yokouska, the open-base event always has something new to experience, like Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Hiroyo Kokubo of Rochester, New York, who serves with the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54).
"I've been in Yokosuka for 7 years and during the previous Spring Fests I was aboard the tour ship translating," said Kokubo gesturing to her companions. "This year I wanted to enjoy [the Spring Festival] so I put on my uniform and walked around meeting people, like these two who came from Osaka."
The chance to tour a ship is a popular part of the Spring Festival in Yokosuka. For many it's the reason to travel many miles to visit the base.
"I got here early because I wanted to see the ship!" said Harada who visited from Yokohama. "It was really amazing!"
This year, visitors to the Spring Festival were able to tour the USS Curtis Wilbur. More than 7,500 visitors lined up along the pier to see the ship.
The open-base event isn't all crowds and lines. A few visitors like Kosuke found a quiet spot along the breakwater to enjoy the base.
"I've always lived in Yokosuka but I've never seen this view of the city [from base]," said Kosuke gazing across the water past Mikasa Park. "It's beautiful."
"It was a bit windy,' said Hiroko, who traveled with her grandchildren from Tokyo, "but we had a really fun time!"
The Spring Festival in Yokosuka was a fun experience for all the visitors who attended regardless of age or if they return year after year. The many smiles showed the deep mutual respect that's developed between the military community in Yokosuka and the Japanese people through cultural exchange.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.28.2018 01:36 |
| Story ID: | 305510 |
| Location: | KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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