The cost of living is higher than most stateside locations, but the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) compensates for a portion of the difference. For COLA calculations refer to the Defence Travel Management Office COLA Calculator.
Liberty Policy for all U.S. Military Forces Located and Operating in Japan
This policy is applicable to all military personnel located and operating in Japan who are subject to CDRUSPACOM Authority, including reserve personnel (when serving in a reserve capacity), National Guard personnel (when in a Title 10 status), and personnel in a TDY/TAD deployed, leave, or pass status. This policy shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded, pending further assessment of the operational environment in Japan.
Mandatory for all U.S. Military Forces Located and Operating in Japan:
Mandatory 19 years of Age or Younger:
20 Years of Age or Older - Are not subject to curfew unless otherwise directed by their authorized commander.
Weather
During the months of November - March, Misawa can get up to 200 inches of snow or more. If traveling during these months, ensure that you pack clothing that is appropriate for cold weather.
CurrencyJapan uses ¥ Yen for currency. Please note that the yen rate fluctuates.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families.
The 35th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan -- the northernmost U.S. air base in Japan. The only combined, joint service installation in the Western Pacific. Misawa Air Base is located on the shores of Lake Ogawara in Misawa City, within the Aomori Prefecture.
Mission Statement:
The wing's mission is to "Protect US national security interests in the Pacific; Defend Japan and American allies/partners; Deter adversaries and global aggression through our presence, readiness, and ability to project combat air power."
Commander’s Priorities:
Mission - Family - Warrior
Commander’s Intent:
On October 4, 1931, the world's first successful non-stop Trans-Pacific flight began when Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon lifted off from Sabishiro Beach, Misawa in their Bellanca Skyrocket "Miss Veedol" crash landing at Wenatchee, Oregon 41 hours and 15 minutes later. Misawa's modern military history began during the Meiji era (1868-1912) when the area that comprised the base was used as part of the Imperial horse farms and basing for cavalry units of the Imperial Japanese Army.
In 1938, the Imperial Japanese Army began construction of an airstrip using a triangular configuration at Misawa. On February 10, 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy completed construction of Misawa which was initially intended as a test base for the Nakajima G-5 “Shinzan” four-engine long-range heavy bomber development along with a small aviation training unit. During World War II, Misawa was primarily an aviation testing and training base with many units rotating through between 1942 and 1945. Because of the devastation of the U.S. bombing effort from the Mariana's Islands, the Imperial Headquarters and the Naval General Staff agreed to Operation KEN (Sword), which was a Kamikaze mission to destroy B29 bases (Naito). In June 1945, Lt. Commander Yamaoka, 100 aircrew personnel, and 400 troops of the 101st Imperial Marines were secretly stationed in Misawa. The Tsurugi Corps were placed in a secure compound on the northeast end of the base. They quickly began demolition and sabotage exercises on wooden mock-ups of B29 bombers. The Tsurugi Corps began modifications on the Type 1 G4M1 bombers for the scheduled mission. After a B29 raid, the Tsurugi Corps were to follow the bombers back to the Mariana's Islands and then crash land or parachute troops on the base and destroy the bombers (Nishimura). This unit is most likely responsible for the present day misconception that Misawa AB was a former Kamikaze “pilot” training facility. While these troops were considered suicide troops, they were not Kamikaze in the traditionally accepted sense (suicide attack aircraft).
After the end of WWII, on September 15, 1946, the first American troops arrived at Misawa AB under the command of Captain Davis K. Stark, commander of the 32nd Army Engineering Construction Group (Wild Cats). The troops secured the base and prepared it for the arrival of the 49th Fighter Group and its P-51 aircraft. During this time, some of the experimental aircraft remaining on Misawa were disassembled and transported to the United States for further study. In December 1946, the 49th Fighter Group became the first U.S. Army air unit stationed at Misawa. Since 1946, 16 units have served as the host unit for Misawa Air Base. The 35th Fighter Wing has been the host unit at Misawa AB since 1994. The unit was originally activated as an Air Force wing at Johnson Air Base, Japan on August 18, 1948, and carries the bestowed heritage and honors of the 35th Fighter Group which was established on December 22, 1939. For a thorough history of the installation, visit the installation's homepage.
Misawa Air Base is the only joint service installation in the Western Pacific. Four US military branches (Space Force, Air Force, Navy, and Army) are working together with the Japanese Air-Self Defense Force (JASDF) to accomplish the mission.
Misawa Air Base is located in Misawa City on the shores of Lake Ogawara in the Aomori Prefecture. Misawa is approximately 400 miles north of Tokyo, on the northeastern part of the main island of Honshu. Unlike the Tokyo area, this region of Japan is rural and known for its slower pace of life. Misawa is uniquely located close to the Pacific Ocean, the mountains, and several Japanese national landmarks.
Please visit the Public Health Command District - Japan (PHCD-J) website for the most up-to-date information on importing pets to Japan.
Up to two pets can be transported on the Patriot Express. For members flying commercially, please read the options below.
Small Pets
Travelers with small pets in kennels can use the Airport Limousine Bus for transportation between Narita and Haneda. The kennel must be small enough to be hand-carried on the bus. Pets cannot ride in the checked baggage compartment.
Travelers with small pets may also travel via Japan Rail (train). The pets must be kept in view of the owner and the cage cannot be kept between cars or in the aisle.
Large Pets
For larger pets, there are several options for transportation between Narita and Haneda:
Pet Hotel
Narita Airport has a "Pet Hotel" on the basement of Terminal 2. Travelers who stay at a local hotel can leave their pet here overnight.
Haneda Airport also has a pet hotel in Terminal 2 but advanced reservation is required.
For complete information on PCSing with a pet to Misawa go to the following website: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/index.html
It is possible to get to Misawa by train and car from Tokyo.
Train
At Narita Airport, the trains are on the lowest level. You can purchase tickets from Narita to HACHINOHE at the ticket office. The cost will be around 18,000 yen per person ($160). Note: this amount is subject to change. You will be given four small tickets which should all be inserted every time you go through a gate. Look carefully at the ticket for each leg of the trip so you can look at the departure listings to determine which track you need to go to. You will have reserved seats for each train, and the car number and seat number is on the ticket for that leg of the trip. You will take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. At Tokyo Station, you will change to the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train). The Tohoku Shinkansen will take you to Hachinohe where you will transfer to a local train (Aomori Tetsudo) for the final leg to Misawa. You need to purchase a ticket from Hachinohe to Misawa at Hachinohe Station. When you arrive at Misawa, you will need transportation to the base. If you take a taxi, you should call Kichi Taxi at 011-81-176-66-7479 from an U.S. cell and 0176-66-7479 from a Japanese cell. Only Kichi Taxis are allowed on base. All other taxis can only take you to the Main Gate.
Car
Directions for driving from Misawa to locations in Tokyo, including Yokota Air Base, are available at MWR's Outdoor Recreation. Outdoor Recreation also has rental vans that include toll passes. Road transportation from Tokyo to Misawa costs approximately 14,600 yen per vehicle ($100) one way (price is subject to change and is dependent on the yen to USD exchange rate). From Narita Airport, take the Higashi-Kanto Expressway towards Tokyo. As you approach Tokyo, the Higashi-Kanto turns into the Bayshore Route. Take the C2 to the Gaikan Expressway and to the Gaikan Expressway to the Tohoku Expressway. The Tohoku Expressway goes all the way to Aomori, but you will take the Hachinohe Expressway branch for the last few kilometers to Misawa. Once you exit the Expressway at Misawa, follow the signs to the City Offices and then to the Air Base.
Prior to departing your base, it is essential that you contact your sponsor with your travel and arrival information. The flight from the United States is long no matter how you travel and you'll be tired but seeing the friendly face and helping hand of a sponsor can make that first day much better. The importance of notifying your sponsor of your travel plans before leaving your base cannot be stressed enough.
Useful websites:
Many locations on Misawa AB Main Base are within walking distance. Misawa AB experiences varying weather patterns, such as snow, rain, etc. Driving from Main Base to North Base will take approximately 10 minutes. The base has a commercial taxi service available 24 hours a day. "Kichi" Taxi's number is 011-81-176-53-6481 and the price starts at 640 yen (approx. $6). You can also reach the Taxi service via the Base Operator DSN: 315-226-1110 or from a Japanese cell phone 0176-77-1110.
The city of Misawa has public bus transportation with several stops around the city. The closest bus stop to Misawa AB is located next to Sky Plaza Misawa, which is 2 blocks from the main gate.
Base Operator:
DSN: 315-226-1110
From CONUS: 011-81-176-77-1110
From Japan: 0176-77-1110
Release 2024.03.06.1