OTARU, Japan (NNS) -- USS Patriot (MCM 7) pulled into Otaru, Japan, Feb. 4 for a scheduled port visit.

The ship's crew will be given the opportunity to experience the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival and Otaru's Snow Light Path Festival during the visit.

"This is the Patriot's first visit to Otaru and the crew and I are excited to interact with the community," said Lt. Cmdr. Emily Royse, commanding officer of the USS Patriot.

Sapporo is a popular winter destination for Japanese citizens and other people from around the world.

"Our crew looks forward to spending some time off in Otaru and the surrounding areas, seeing the beautiful Snow Light Path Festival as well as the snow festival in Sapporo, and, of course, enjoying the fantastic cuisine," said Royse.

Patriot is a mine countermeasures ship forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Patriot serves under Task Force 76, which serves as the U.S. 7th Fleet's mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations.