NEWCOMERS TO MISAWA

Greetings,
If you have found this page is probably because you have just received orders or been accepted for a civilian position. Congratulations! I have put together some helpful tips in getting here.

Packing-
You have a date to get here by and thats it.... I have been there. After moving twice here you learn a couple tricks.

-Pack Light-This includes your household goods (furniture, toys, and other junk). There is nothing worse than having to unpack and find places for all the junk that you haven't used in years... Also if you plan to reside off base the Japanese have strict rules on what you can throw into the trash.

-If arriving between the end of October thru the middle of March make sure to bring a heavy coat and snow boots for yourself and each family member. The rest of the year the temperature is moderate (Fifty degrees to Seventy-Five degrees)

-Have your Household Goods(HHG) pack as soon as you can live without them. My large shipment arrived in about 7 weeks from the west coast.

-For your Unaccompanied Baggage I would recommend packing in extra clothes, small television, kitchenware, towels and kids toys. Your Unaccompanied Baggage will most of the time arrive weeks before the HHG shipment. Ours arrived in about 4 weeks from the West Coast.

-If you are planning to bring your pet with you make sure you read the following article and get the process started ASAP.

-Traveling to Misawa with Pets

The Flight

Before taking off ensure that you have all uniforms, passport, plans for travel from Tokyo to Misawa (air, train, or shuttle bus through services). If you require an overnight stay ensure your travel office has made the reservations for you.(This will ensure you are not going to spend more than is allowed, very easy to do in Tokyo). Making reservations at Misawa AB lodging will also help ease your travel worries(DSN 315-222-1182)

Also contact your sponsor and let them know what time to pick you up at Misawa Airport. There are no passenger planes that arrive at Misawa AB. All air travel to Misawa City is provided by Misawa Airport. If they are not their, don't panic. Taxi's are available to the base and cost anywhere from 3000 Yen to 4500 Yen ($30-$45).

-If possible it is highly advised that you travel with at least $200 in American dollars. Once you arrive at Narita you can exchange the currency for Yen. The use of American debit and credit cards is limited. If you need a taxi from Misawa Airport or Shuttle Bus at Narita you will need Yen.

Once you arrive in Tokyo at Narita International Airport you will process through customs with all of your baggage and pets(if applicable). Next you will need to find out if you are staying overnight is you hotel located near Haneda Airport or Narita Airport. I would suggest asking one of the many helpful Japanese airport attendants. If the Hotel is located at Narita then there should be a shuttle bus for hotel if not you can get directions from the Information Kiosks.

If your hotel is located at or near Haneda Airport you will need to use the "Airport Limousine Bus". It is located directly in front of the customs exit. The cost is about 3000 Yen ($30) per person. Less for children. Major Credit Cards are accepted (American Express, Visa and Mastercard). Taxi's are very expensive (20,000 Yen or $200 plus).

Airport Limousine Website

The bus ride is approximately an hour and a half to Haneda Airport. They do not run 24 hours a day so if you need the transportation purchase your tickets and proceed. From experience before you leave check which terminal your hotel is located at near Haneda before you get on the bus. The attendants can normally tell you. There is two major terminals and walking with your luggage, children and a hungry stomach is not so much fun....

The flight from Haneda Airport to Misawa Airport is about an hour. If you are traveling by train on the Shinkansen (bullet train) it is about 3 hours with the transfer in Hachinohe.

JR Railway Website

Arrival in Misawa

Once you arrive in Misawa transportation is available by taxi from either Misawa Train Station or Misawa Airport. The cab drivers know the way to the base and can speak fairly good English. They only accept Yen so be prepared to pay about 3000 Yen to 4500 Yen ($30-$45) Tipping in Japan is not practice and most of the time they will refuse it.

Misawa Airport Website

You can check into Misawa AB Lodging 24 hours a day. There are some major hotels off-base as well. If you are military you must check in with the Lodging office on base and get a non-availability slip if you are going to stay off-base.

Note-Misawa AB Lodging has limited pet lodging if you plan on staying with your pet. Try to make your reservations as soon as possible (DSN 315-222-1182). Nearly all of the off-base hotels do not accept pets. You can try to get your pets in the Misawa Pet Kennel (DSN 315-226-2228). There are also some pet kennels downtown if neccessary.

Off Base Hotel Website

A big welcome and congratulation to you. Good luck and stay safe on your journey!