Ultraman, the roar of F-16s and hundreds of thousands of Japanese festival-goers — it must be Friendship Day again at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
The base’s largest civilian event is set for Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include an air show, displayed aircraft and food vendors.
Friendship Day is a rare opportunity for the Japanese public to visit the base, trade culture and eat American goodies such as hot dogs and hamburgers. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, according to base spokesman Master Gunnery Sgt. John Cordero.
Some advice from base officials: leave the car at home and take public transportation.
The event will include the Jurgis Kairys sky acrobatics demonstration and the E-Team Parachute Jump Team. Here are the entry points and access hours for the event:
Automobiles can use the north gate and the contractors gate from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pedestrians can enter the main gate from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Beginning at 2 p.m., the main gate will be for outbound pedestrian traffic only.
Mopeds and motorcycles can use the contractors gate from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bicycles should park at the temporary lot next to Sanyo Main Line railroad located about 200 meters from the main gate and access the event on foot.
Buses can enter the contractors gate from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Vehicles might be denied entry if on-base parking becomes full. For more information, visit the Web site at www.friendship-day.net
