Staff writer

SOKA, Saitama Pref. -- The kilts and sporrans may have drawn more glances en route than they would back in the glens, but the clans gathered with the same enthusiasm for the 17th annual Japan Scottish Highland Games, held Sunday at Ueno Gakuen University's Soka campus.

Bringing together some of Scotland's most traditional musical, dancing and sporting events -- as well as a keenly contested five-a-side soccer match -- the Games have made a whole new culture accessible to Japan, as well as to a large contingent from the nearby U.S. air base.