MISS VEEDOL BEACH:
Miss Veedol Beach is located 10 minutes from the base. Go out the POL Gate and turn left at the first traffic light. Continue straight until the second stop light. Turn left onto Route 338 and continue about 5km until you see the signs for the beach.
They have newly renovated bathrooms, a remote control airplane pad and a replica of the original Miss Veedol aircraft that made the first trans-pacific flight from Misawa to Washington state.
LAKE OGAWARA:
Lake Ogawara Rec Complex and Misawa Auto Campground:
There are many things to do around Lake Ogawara and it is adjacent to the base beach. To get there, go out the POL Gate and turn left at the first light. Then turn left at the second traffic light. Turn left again 4.3 km later. After one km turn right and 1 more km later turn left. Go down the winding hill road and the turn for the Misawa Auto Campground is on the right. Continue straight, go up the hill and turn right at the next corner. (There is a large sports complex on the left.) This will take you to the Ogawara Rec Area. They have camping and a beach. In February, they also have a snow festival.
Alternate route: At certain times during the summer, the base will open a gate near the base beach that directly accesses the Lake Ogawara Rec area.