Most viewed - Fussa 福生市 |
During Aug. 22-23, 2009, Yokota Air Base held its annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival. I went on the 23rd, arriving at about 11 am. The base was open through Supply Gate No. 5 which is near Ushihama Station on the JR Ome Line.810 views
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Interesting sign at the gate.268 views
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Michael Jackson tribute in Aug. 2009, Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo. Very good likeness.266 views
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JR Ushihama Station platform. Fewer people than I expected, to my relief.263 views
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Fussa manhole cover with Tanabata design240 views
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Exit at Supply Gate No. 5, was terribly crowded. The gate wasn't the problem. The problem was the street traffic signal beyond. We had to wait for it to turn green several times. They should've just closed the road to traffic.228 views
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JR Fussa Station on the JR Ome Line is decorated with tanabata streamers during Aug. 6-9.219 views
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Mrs. Yokota?? Hmm, maybe she's married to a Mr. Yokota. Actually, she's Heather Fife, wife of Maj. Kurt Fife, 36th Airlift Squadron,like an ambassador for Yokota. Read about her here.218 views
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Fussa manhole depicting tanabata festival in Tokyo.207 views
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The Japanese loved to take pictures with the Americans.207 views
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Another manhole with the city's flower, bird, and tree, and Tanabata.206 views
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JR Fussa Station, North side187 views
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On the reverse side of MJ, was Barack Obama, Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo186 views
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K-9 Unit posing for photos with a German Shepherd. That's a big doggie.183 views
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Here's Supply Gate No. 5 at Yokota Air Base. It looked like a long wait here too, but it went smoothly.181 views
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JR Fussa Station on the Ome Line. 福生駅175 views
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Here we are in Yokota Air Base passing by numerous hangars.168 views
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Ushihama Station is small, and certainly not used to handling the huge crowd of people trying to get out of the station. The train platform was jammed with people. It took maybe 10 min. to get out.167 views
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Massive crowd going through the gate at Yokota Air Base. We were advised not to bring large bags. I only had a waist pouch. They inspected large bags and rucksacks. Foreigners had to show a photo ID. Of course, I look Japanese, so no ID check for me.167 views
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From the train station, just follow the crowd. I don't know why they didn't close the road to traffic and let us (a much larger number of people than those in cars on the road) walk to the base. The sidewalks are very narrow.164 views
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Lotta local people also came by bicycle.162 views
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Poster for the Yokota Air Base Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2009. Free admission. You had to be either a Japanese or American citizen. (I happen to be a US citizen.)161 views
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Layout of the place. Lots of food booths and souvenir stalls.160 views
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Basketball court156 views
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A long line to take pictures with a dog.155 views
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The festival's main area was lined with food booths and PEOPLE!! This is a lot more people than I had ever seen at this festival, and this was my third time. About 100,000 people came this day. Looked more like 500,000.155 views
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Hangar 15155 views
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Hangar 15155 views
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Barack Obama at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo. A very good likeness.152 views
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Tanabata decorations on the west side of Fussa Station.150 views
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Hangar 15 had an indoor stage and food booths. A good place to sit and rest. It wasn't so hot, like I remembered before. I was told that this hangar is normally used for the C-130.150 views
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The entertainment when I was there was the "Tanabata Dancers." Good to see these military wives embracing Japanese culture. Tanabata is the star festival for which host city Fussa is also famous.149 views
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They even had a race car display. They must've been happy that it didn't rain. There was some cloud cover, so it wasn't an unbearably hot day.148 views
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Dunking contest. Hey, where's the bikini girl?146 views
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Kanizaka Park near Tamagawa River かに坂公園145 views
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Entertainment schedule. There was an indoor stage inside Hangar No. 15 and an outdoor stage. Plus airborne demos.143 views
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Many food booths had long lines. Sasebo Burgers here.143 views
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Fighter pilots always look quite intelligent. A college degree is required.143 views
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JR Fussa Station connects to Seiyu142 views
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Girl in yukata kimono posing with military persons in uniform in front of the C-130.142 views
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Toilets, both American and Japanese style. They had many portable toilets on hand. And they were busy all day long.142 views
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Samba dancer at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo140 views
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One food booth was "Sons of Hawaii," run by people from Hawaii. Maybe they should change their name to "Sons and Daughters of Hawaii" cuz I saw mostly daughters. BBQ pork sticks and cupcakes. How come neva have Haw'n food??140 viewsKalua pig, poi, lomi-lomi salmon, and haupia. C'mon guys, bring out da real Hawaiian food. (If you guys really from HI.)
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Samba dancer at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo139 views
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An American icon, SPAM.139 views
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JR Fussa Station, North side138 views
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Hummer138 views
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Crowd going home. This was around 4:30 pm. There were still people entering the base, probably for the fireworks later in the evening. But I went on to Mitaka to see the Awa Odori.138 views
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The black Camaro was on sale.137 views
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Samba dancer at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo136 views
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Hot rods136 views
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Hokusai ukiyoe on the tail of a Cessna.136 views
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F-22 Raptor, the plane that Japan wants, but US bans its export. As a US and Japanese taxpayer, I paid a part of the cost of all the planes on display. Doesn't that make me a part owner?136 views
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People could also sit and rest inside the C-5 Galaxy.136 views
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T-shirts135 views
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Cub Scout T-shirts, better design.135 views
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Haijima Station platform 拝島駅134 views
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Fightin' Samurai T-shirt133 views
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F-22 Raptor, the stealth fighter. They had two of them on display. They came from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Next time, I'll ask them what it takes to become a stealth fighter pilot.133 views
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Train for kids plied between the gate to the main festival site.133 views
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JR Fussa Station132 views
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A giant food court on the tarmac. Good idea to bring something to sit on. Lucky that it wasn't a bright sunny day. Otherwise, the tarmac would be like a frying pan.132 views
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JR Fussa Station platform131 views
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Samba dancer at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo131 views
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This one stood out, like a swank sports car. Looks like a fast critter.131 views
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I'm not an expert at military aircraft. I can only tell you the names of the most famous ones.130 views
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Thanks to all who made it possible. Make no doubt, I am a proud American (from Hawaii), and always happy to see activities and events promoting better friendship and relations between the US and Japan.130 views
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Inside the C-17 Globemaster III. I could almost smell the Hawaiian air. A few people from Hawaii were inside the plane selling souvenirs, greeting people with "Aloha!"129 views
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Besides Yokota, these planes came from various places such as Kadena (Okinawa) and Misawa (Aomori) Air Bases.128 views
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Would you believe an ambulance made its way through the food court?? People had to get up and make room.127 views
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F-16 Fighting Falcon127 views
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The pilots or staff were on hand selling patches, T-shirts, etc. 127 views
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JR Fussa Station, South side126 views
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Tanabata Galaxy Street had food stalls.126 views
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This plane, they allowed people to look inside the cockpit. A long line for this.126 views
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Japan Air Self Defense Force F-4 Phantom126 views
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Inside the C-5 Galaxy, selling T-shirts, "Size does matter."126 views
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JR Fussa Station, South side125 views
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Kami Josui Park near Tamagawa Josui canal. 加美上水公園125 views
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Japan Air Self Defense Force Kawasaki C-1125 views
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Inflatable rides for kids, a long line as well. Very important to have something for kids. Lotta families came to the festival.124 views
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Outdoor stage had more entertainment.124 views
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F-22 Raptor, the stealth fighter. I thought the plane was black, but they are dull gray.124 views
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F-15 Eagle fighter123 views
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Climb up to see the cockpit. "Wow, awesome!"123 views
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Planes with the familiar red dot belong to Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Japan Air Self Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2 fighter.123 views
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This baby can carry a lotta stuff. It can swallow a helicopter whole. Can you believe the C-5 has been in service since 1969? That's 40 years ago! Happy birthday!123 views
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C-5 Galaxy crew123 views
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On the left side were mostly helicopters and cargo aircraft.122 views
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On the right side, were mostly fighter planes.122 views
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MJ who died in June 2009.121 views
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Quite a few people wore yukata.121 views
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C-5 Galaxy transport plane was fully open for public viewing. We could just walk through the plane's cargo hold. No lines of people.121 views
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People also lined up to sit in the cockpit of the C-17 Globemaster III. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to line up and see the cockpit of any of the planes.121 views
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Torii at Yokota Air Base.121 views
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Map along the Tamagawa River120 views
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Samba dancer at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo120 views
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Some time later, the three C-130 planes dropped several men in parachutes.120 views
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This C-5 Galaxy came from Travis Air Base in California. Its gaping mouth open for visitors. I like the design of this plane. It's nice.120 views
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Jogging route along Tamagawa River119 views
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Walking guide to Fussa at Haijima Station.119 views
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Brass band parafe by Self-Defense Force.119 views
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JR Fussa Station. Go out the West (Nishiguchi) exit for the Tanabata Matsuri.118 views
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Ekimae-dori road had outdoor tanabata decorations. In fact, there are no indoor arcade areas for tanabata in Fussa.118 views
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The weaver is represented by the Vega star and the herdsman by the Altair star. As a prayer to produce better arts and crafts, the Imperial Court and the warrior class paid homage to these two stars from ancient times. This practice spread to the masses.118 views
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Sign in English117 views
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When you walk further down, you see the static displays of miltary aircraft. 117 views
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C-5 Galaxy engine117 views
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Park to meet someone special and to "create happiness" as the name "Fussa" implies.116 views
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JR Haijima Station being renovated in early 2007. 拝島駅116 views
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Right outside the west exit of Fussa Station was this helpful information booth, offering free maps and info about the festival.116 views
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Making their way through Ekimae-dori.116 views
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After a job well done, the three C-130s return to Yokota Air Base.116 views
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C-5 Galaxy transport plane, one of the largest aircraft in the world. One of my favorites.116 views
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Young Tigers on the tail of this KC-135 Stratotanker.116 views
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Torii at Yokota Air Base. I remember that there was a control tower back here. Not there anymore. In fact, I couldn't find the control tower anywhere.116 views
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Area in front of Fussa Station's west exit.115 views
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Mini samba parade at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo115 views
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AWACS plane115 views
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On the farthest end of the festival site were the two biggest planes on display. The C-17 Globemaster III (left) and C-5 Galaxy (right).115 views
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Side view of the C-5 Galaxy's front end. The closest thing we have to Thunderbird 2.115 views
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We could also enter the C-17 Globemaster III from the rear.115 views
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Next to the C-17 Globemaster III was this refueling plane called the KC-135 Stratotanker made by Boeing.115 views
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People lined up to sit in the cockpit of the Huey helicopter.115 views
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JR Fussa Station114 views
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Pilot's name114 views
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C-130 on the runway to take off for an airborne demo.114 views
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The C-5 Galaxy has 28 wheels.114 views
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Long lines almost everywhere.114 views
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In the afternoon at the outdoor stage, they had a Strongman's Competition.114 views
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P-3 Orion113 views
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Three C-130 Hercules cargo planes start to take off one after another for an airborne demo.113 views
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This strongman pulled a bus loaded with kids.113 views
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This angered her father who banished the herdsman to the other side of the Milky Way. He allowed the two to meet only once a year on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh month (according to the lunar calendar).112 views
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Parachutes in the air.112 views
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Men in parachutes heading toward Yokota Air Base. They landed on the runway area.112 views
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Floor of the C-5 Galaxy, dotted with eyelets for hooks or ropes to secure the cargo.112 views
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These people are lining up to see the C-5 Galaxy's cockpit on the upper deck.112 views
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Next to the C-5 Galaxy was the second largest plane on display: The C-17 Globemaster III. This plane came from Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii.112 views
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C-17 Globemaster III112 views
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Kami Josui Park111 views
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Fussa's biggest event is the Fussa Tanabata Matsuri. The 59th festival was held during Aug. 6-9, 2009. I visited on Aug. 9, 2009.111 views
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The festival is said to have originated from a Star Festival in China. According to Chinese legend, east of the Milky Way there was a Heavenly King whose daughter worked as a weaver. However, when she married a herdsman, she quit weaving.111 views
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Another road with tanabata decorations in Fussa was this Ginza-dori road, also outdoors.111 views
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Samba dancer at Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo111 views
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C-130 taking off.111 views
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C-130 landing at Yokota Air Base. These planes drew large crowds as they took off and landed. There are many aircraft fans in Japan, photographers crazy about military aircraft.110 views
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C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 Galaxy cargo planes110 views
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Now for the helicopters. A bunch of them were on display, including this Huey.110 views
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On a garbage truck.110 views
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Tamagawa River109 views
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Tamagawa Josui canal in Fussa109 views
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Fussa Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo109 views
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Entrance to the Daiichi Elementary School.109 views
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Exit of the C-5 Galaxy. The plane's openings on both the front and back enables unloading and loading to be done at the same time.109 views
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Lining up to see the C-5 Galaxy's cockpit on the upper deck. There are some passenger seats as well.109 views
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Front and nose of C-17 Globemaster III109 views
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C-17 Globemaster III109 views
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C-17 Globemaster III has only one opening (in the rear) for loading/unloading cargo.109 views
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They should understand that the samurai was a land-based fighter. They never flew in the air.109 views
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Japan's largest Tanabata Matsuri is in Sendai. Tanabata in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa and Asagaya in Tokyo are also well known.108 views
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Daiichi Elementary School had a stage for performances, etc. There were numerous performers every day of the festival.108 views
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At the mouth of the plane is this ladder going up the cockpit of the C-5 Galaxy.108 views
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Entering the C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane.108 views
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Japan Air Self Defense Force, U-125A107 views
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The green (camoflauge) one is for flying over land, the blue for ocean.107 views
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The decorations on Ginza-dori were more creative.106 views
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Sky-colored C-130 of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.106 views
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Our fly boys on a lunch break.106 views
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Helicopter taking off at Yokota Air Base.106 views
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Engines of the C-17 Globemaster III.105 views
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The KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service since 1957. 105 views
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So what's the difference between a green helo and a blue one (next photo)?105 views
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Fighter on the runway.105 views
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My YouTube video of the Fussa Tanabata Star Festival in 2009.105 views
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People could also enter the KC-135 Stratotanker.104 views
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I wish they had signs in front of each plane so we can identify the plane and know where it came from.104 views
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Chinook helicopter103 views
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Deafening noise, but very dramatic and a great ending to a great friendship festival. Also see my YouTube video here.103 views
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U-125A103 views
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The Chinook helicopter going to the runway to take off.103 views
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The Yokota Air Base Japanese-American Friendship Festival in 2009 was great. I really enjoyed it. So much to see. The variety of aircraft was excellent. Obviously, a lot of preparation went into this festival with aircraft coming from many bases.103 views
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My YouTube video of the Friendship Festival tanabata dancers, air show, etc., in 2009.103 views
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A band parade by local school children.102 views
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A long line to enter the C-130 Hercules plane.102 views
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Interesting shape of the rotor blades.102 views
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The aircraft started departing at around 3 pm.102 views
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We also saw a mini samba parade promoting a college wrestling event.101 views
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Most of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force planes took off later in the day. Most of the US planes from outside Yokota left the next day.101 views
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Entering the KC-135 Stratotanker.101 views
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We could only peek inside Japan's C-130.100 views
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C-130 Hercules.100 views
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We were then treated to a series of flybys by planes leaving Yokota Air Base. After each plane took off, they flew by us and did a few airborne tricks.99 views
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Most of the planes leaving Yokota were from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. a nice festival climax, but the festival wouldn't end until night time when fireworks were held.98 views
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Below the tail is the refueling pipe (with fins) of the KC-135 Stratotanker.97 views
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Chinese-style tanabata decoration.96 views
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C-130 nose96 views
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Beechcraft96 views
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Chinook helicopter up and away.96 views
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At around 2 pm, they started to clear people away from part of the aircraft display area. Some of the aircraft were to depart. This happens only on the second day of the festival.95 views
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Trying on pilot's helmets.94 views
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Anpan Man of course. What would a tanabata festival be without this character?92 views
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