I am leaving in a few weeks to go to a job in Misawa Japan. We will be on a project on the AFB that will last about 8 weeks. Just wondering if any of you have been there and what its like. Curious about the weather, things to do and places to see in the area.

 

Hey neighbor!.. Can you take your truck?

K.

 

Another Neighbor chiming in. I havent been there, but a few of my buddies have. They didnt get into detail, but said it was real nice, especially if your single! Have fun, be safe. Need a truck sitter?

 

I spent the better part of 18 months around Hiroshima, Iwakuni(Marine Corps Base), and have been on both coasts and to Tokyo. Never did get up as far as where you are going but would have to say the people will be as nice.

Very friendly folks, had some girls in Tokyo train station one time see me wondering around, obviously lost and they took the time to escort me to the platform where my train was waiting. Try that in NYC!! I spent the first few months on base hating Japan and could not wait to leave. After my first couple trips off base and into the mountains and small towns to interact with the Japanese I did a complete 180. After 18 months I did not want to leave. I figure if my wife ever got me back over there.....it would be hard to leave now, as a civilian.

Do a search on the net I had a bunch of stuff pop up about Misawa. It looks like it is up on the northern tip of the main land. Some of the things I saw were about the mountains, if your into beautiful mountains and the hot springs. They(the Japanese) have bath houses where you go and soak in these natural hot springs. I believe the Japanese think the hot springs have some value as far as spiritual or something.....would have to ask my wife for sure, but I'm sure she would say it's good for your health. Great people and better food! Don't be afraid to try something, as my German teacher once said, "you have to take off your american sunglasses". I have tried and liked, squid sushi, salmon, octopus and a whole bunch of others. Yakitori is good, miso soup....delicious!!!! Curry rice.....Wow!! What a treat!! Yakisoba and the list could go on for eternity!!

Looks like you'll be pretty far north of Tokyo and although it is a pretty cool place, I preferred the smaller towns.....with no foreigners. Tokyo is filled with Brits, Aussies, Americans and I did not like it much. I was used to the small towns with friendly Japanese and there I got to see the real Japan. If that really makes any sense? My suggestions, find the small places where the military don't get to, which may be hard to do. I had the benefit of dating a Japanese girl and she took me to her parents house out in the country and that is where.......gonna sound gay saying this......where I fell in love with Japan. Just an amazing place.

But if your into getting drunk and sticking around the corridors around the base, they'll be plenty of bars and such to serve drunken airmen/woman and most likely lots of Japanese bar girls. I've known a few guys thrown in the local jails in Japan, heard it was far from fun, not like our cable tv, 3 squares a day "prisons". Have fun it's a good experience. Oh, that girl I dated in Japan, yeah.....she's my wife. Would not trade her for all the money, gold and woman in the world.

Shawn

 

Hey neighbors! No, don't think I better take the truck and no, the wife will baby sit her just fine! (She's learned about smoking tailgaters) and loves to drive it, just doesn't like getting in and out of it!
Thanks for the input. I'm looking forward to going to Japan. I have read up it some but just wanted some of yall to chime in. I was in Chile for 4 months ending last September. Its really interesting seeing other cultures and ways of life of other countries.