A LITTLE ABOUT MISAWA

Misawa Air Base is located in the northeast portion of the main Japanese island of Honshu in Aomori Prefecture (approximately 400 miles north of Tokyo). There are many things to do both on and off base and we do our best to keep let you know what is going on. To be sure you don't miss things, you can subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

The Japanese people are extremely friendly and the countryside is beautiful. Decide now to explore the many faces of this mysterious, yet exciting land and we will do our best to help. The base has a number of programs that provide year-round events and activities to keep you busy.

Misawa is a small city of about 43,000 people which sits on the southern shore of picturesque Lake Ogawara. The nearest city of any size is Hachinohe which is 30 to 40 minutes away by car. The surrounding area is mostly rural and quite scenic. While they don't "roll up the sidewalks" and there is some nightlife, some people assigned to Misawa may miss the bright lights and excitement of a major city; however the slower pace, friendly atmosphere and country setting are the most attractive aspects of the area. Tokyo is an hour away by air and about 3 and a half hours by train. It's about 10-12 hours by car.

Misawa has well-defined seasons even though weather patters can differ greatly from day to day.

Though short, autumn is beautiful with pleasant temperatures, late-blooming flowers, and the changing colors of the trees. The air is clean and brisk. However, by mid-November winter can sneak up on you and drop a few inches of snow only to be pushed out again by milder weather.

Winter gets serious in late November, peaks in January and February (20's to 30's), and starts fading near the end of March. Strong winds often intensify the cold temperatures with wind-chill in the teens. Snowfall is erratic. Misawa averages about 140 inches per year but snow does not usually accumulate here. Storms can drop 10 inches or more on us but they are infrequent. However even the heaviest snowfalls can melt quickly. Icy roads are the greater concern as the sunshine will often melt the ice and then as afternoon temperatures cool down, the water from the melted snow and ice refreezes.

In early spring, the winds often switch and come from the east off the ocean and are often quite strong. As the ice and snow clear and the ground dries, dust storms become a hazard near farm fields as farmers prepare for planting. May is usually quite pleasant with warm temperatures. However, sea fog is common in the morning or early evening.

The onset of summer usually brings the rainy season. This normally begins in mid to late-June and continues for an unpredictable period of time. However, it normally clears out around mid to late July. The end of July through August can get quite hot. It is not uncommon to turn on your heater one day because of the chill and dampness associated with the rainly season and be looking for the fan or air conditioning a few days later as the clouds clear and the heat and humidity take over.