Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kyle Vaughn, 18th Munitions Squadron stockpile management production superintendent, walks a path towards an ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Prior to the holiday, more than 30 Airmen from 18 MUNS cleared the ancestral tombs, helping Okinawan families honor generations past. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan base visitor clears vegetation from an ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. During Shimi, families clean the tombs, offer food and incense, and share a meal together, reinforcing generational bonds and cultural heritage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan places food at an ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Shimi is an Okinawan traditional grave-sweeping festival where families gather to pay respects to their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan family prays to an ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Shimi is an Okinawan traditional grave-sweeping festival where families gather to pay respects to their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan family places food at an ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Shimi is an Okinawan traditional grave-sweeping festival where families gather to pay respects to their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan prays to an ancestral tomb during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Shimi is an Okinawan traditional grave-sweeping festival where families gather to pay respects to their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan family shares food and drinks with Airmen from the 18th Munitions Squadron during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Community engagement efforts like this strengthen relationships between U.S. service members and the Okinawan community, further promoting mutual understanding in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

A local Okinawan shares food and drinks with Airmen from the 18th Munitions Squadron during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Community engagement efforts like this strengthen relationships between U.S. service members and the Okinawan community, further promoting mutual understanding in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

Airman 1st Class William Royster, 18th Munitions Squadron munitions support equipment maintenance crew chief, enjoys mochi during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Prior to the holiday, more than 30 Airmen from 18 MUNS cleared the ancestral tombs, helping Okinawan families honor generations past. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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Local community honors ancestors during Shimi at Kadena

Published April 7, 2026
By Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

Okinawan families honor generations past during Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2026. Shimi is an Okinawan traditional grave-sweeping festival where families gather to pay respects to their ancestors.