FUSSA, Japan — The Japanese celebrate Tanabata by wearing kimonos, hanging their written wishes on bamboo trees and decorating the trees with origami, or folded paper figures.

Some also cheer on U.S. servicemembers carrying a heavy, wooden shrine down the streets of Fussa.

The noise level created Friday by cheering onlookers at the 58th annual Tanabata festival here in the Tokyo outskirts was rivaled only by the enthusiasm displayed by those same servicemembers from nearby Yokota Air Base.

The nearly 50 volunteers — dressed in happy coats — bounced, whistled and chanted their way down the Fussa streets Friday while supporting a 1,000-pound shrine on their shoulders.

The airmen used the celebration, which was to end Sunday, as an opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, said Col. Mark Baker, commander of 515th Air Mobility Operations Group.

"It shows that [the airmen] really care about getting to know, participate in and understand the culture they’re a part of," Baker said before the traditional procession.

The Tanabata festival, also known as the "festival of the stars," is usually celebrated in July or August in a number of Japan’s cities. Based on the Legend of Tanabata, it celebrates the once-a-year meeting of two star lovers separated from each other at opposite ends of the Milky Way.

The group from Yokota got only three breaks during the three-hour trek, and they were needed, according to several participants.

Master Sgt. Warren Ary said he’s participated in more than 100 similar celebrations during his 12 years in Japan, but they never seem to get any easier. He testified to that by identifying sore body parts during the second break.

"The shoulder, the forearm, the upper arm and the head, because when you’re bouncing [the shrine], you’re bouncing it with your head and shoulder — and also your knees, since your bouncing it while walking around," Ary said. "I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and I always think I’ll be in shape to do it, but every year I’m asking myself: ‘Why am I doing it? Why am I doing it?’

"Getting older, you’d think I’d give it up, but it’s such an adrenaline rush."

Kevin Mitchell, of the Airman and Family Readiness Center, hadn’t been involved in the shrine carry for the four years. The last time, his job was to blow the whistle and help out with the cadence. This time he was a carrier.

"I’d have to consider this a demotion. I’m hurting," Mitchell joked. "I’d love to do it again (next year). The spirit of this event is so overwhelming; it just makes you want to come back."