Airmen visit Showa Kinen Park

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Yokota Air Base, Japan --  Thirty Yokota residents visited nearby Showa Kinen Park March 3 for a tour of the park's attractions.

The group had the unique opportunity to visit the park as part of a trial tour designed specifically for visitors to Japan. Each of the military participants were chosen by their commanders to represent their units. Many of the civilian visitors were guests of the military members.

The visit included a tour of the Japanese Garden, Bonsai Garden and participation in a traditional tea ceremony.

The Japanese Garden is designed to express the natural beauty of all four seasons while employing traditional Japanese gardening techniques.

Although the flowers of the Japanese Garden were not in bloom, Tech. Sgt. LaDonna Burnett, 730th Air Mobility Squadron NCO in charge of maintenance analysis, said she was amazed by the beauty of the park and looks forward to returning in the spring.

The Bonsai Garden at Showa Kinen Park was the first public bonsai exhibition influenced by Chinese miniature gardens. Trees in the Bonsai Garden vary in age from five to 150 years old.

"I had no idea that a tree could live that long," said Senior Airman Gary Held, 374th Medical Group aerospace medical technician. "It was really interesting to find out that [bonsai trees] actually bend in certain ways because of how the gardeners plant them."

The Kanfutei (teahouse), located within the Japanese Garden, is a venue for traditional Japanese art forms, including tea ceremonies, the recitation of Chinese poems and haiku.

"It's a totally different experience, the tea ceremony, the history and the whole culture involved in it." said Sergeant Burnett. "I've seen a tea ceremony before and both times it was outstanding."

The Japanese government established Showa Kinen Park in 1983 as part of a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign. The park grounds were formerly part of Tachikawa Air Base, an American base returned to Japanese control in 1977.

For more information on Showa Kinen Park visit www.showakinenpark.go.jp.