MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Nov 1st, 2019) -- Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents and Japanese locals visited the Iwakuni Shirohebi Shrine in Iwakuni City, Nov. 1, 2019.
The Cultural Adaptation Program coordinated the event to give station residents the opportunity to dive deeper into the local cultural.
The highlight of the trip for those who attended was the Iwakuni white snake. They got to interact with, learn the history, and significance of the white snake.
“I learned how the white snake became famous in Iwakuni and was able to hold it,” said Monica Groomes, a Marine Corps Air Station resident, “The first Iwakuni white snake was discovered about 300 years ago in the Nishiki River, and more snakes bred over the years.”
Once the shrine visit was over, the residents walked back to the air station. On the way they stopped by a local bakery to learn more about the local community.
“Our goal is to give the air station residents a more comfortable transition when they first arrive,” said Mikie Watanabe, a Cultural Adaptation Program specialist, “The program gives the air station residents an opportunity to go out and get to know the local community and discover new experiences they would not be able to from other places or countries.”