Tricks, treats and a touch of Hollywood bring Halloween to US bases in Japan

Service members and their families transformed their homes with Halloween decorations and stocked up on American candy for visitors. Trick-or-treaters collect candy at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2026. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes) MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Ghosts, goblins and candy-hungry trick-or-treaters took over U.S. military neighborhoods across Japan on Halloween, where American families shared a favorite holiday tradition with their off-base neighbors. At MCAS Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima, about 1,600 people from the surrounding Japanese community registered for Saturday’s festivities, air station spokesperson Hinako Harada said during the event. Service members and their families transformed their homes with Halloween decorations and stocked up on American candy for visitors making their rounds through the neighborhoods.

Trick-or-treaters from on and off base collect candy at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2026. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes) An ofrenda inspired by the Disney film "Coco" welcomes trick-or-treaters at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2026. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Strip) Forrest Gump poses with Lietenant Dan during trick-or-treating at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2026. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes) A goblin who said he's assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12 poses for a Halloween photo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2026. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes) Ghosts