Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, visited the Hiroshima Botanical Garden in Hiroshima City, Japan as part of a Youth and Teen Center trip Dec. 23, 2015.

The Botanical Garden Winter Illumination is an annual event held every weekend and national holiday in December to celebrate the festive month and spread Christmas cheer.

“The purpose of this trip was to bring teens and their families to the garden to view the Christmas lighting,” said Mirna Nolasco, program assistant with the Youth and Teen Center.

Residents watched as thousands of lights turned on and transformed the garden into a luminous display.

“I enjoyed counting down for the lights to turn on,” said Haily Galarza, program assistant with the Youth and Teen Center. “I had a really good time, and it was so pretty.”

After lights illuminated the garden, visitors walked on an elevated platform to view the grand Christmas tree display formed below.

“My favorite part was when we went on top of a platform to view the lights from up high rather than on the ground,” said Devon Shuman, a Mathew C. Perry High School student. “I have never seen anything like that in America.”

Residents were provided the opportunity to take group photos with a giant wreath, enjoy illuminated dinosaurs and the maze of light.

Galarza said she thinks more people should participate in Youth and Teen Center trips because it’s a great experience and opportunity to socialize with the Japanese locals and experience their culture.

For more information on future events, contact the Youth and Teen Center at 253-6454.