Located in the north end of mainland of Honshu, Misawa City is home to Misawa Air Base and is a popular tourist destination with beautiful forests, beaches, lakes, museums and hot springs.
When tourists travel around Japan, especially for the first time, taking the train might seem like the only option. But don’t forget about buses, which are often overlooked and underrated.
Japan is known as a treasure box of hot springs. In fact, there are 3,084 hot spring sites along with 20,972 bathing facilities located throughout the nation.
A two-hour drive west from Misawa AB gets you to Kuroishi, an attractive city that is home to impressive streets filled in traditional wooden arcades, an abundance of pristine hot springs and a local craft art museum.
You can’t even talk about – much less taste – Okinawan food without letting soybeans, or a soy-based delicacy, cross your lips. Soybeans really are “the magical fruit” here where traditional wisdom transforms them into a myriad of foods with a variety of colors, shapes and smells.
Weeks after finding out our next assignment would be Camp Zama, Japan, and shortly before our arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun, I happened upon a cookbook co-authored by Naoko Takei Moore and Kyle Connaughton.
Autumn is the ultimate time for outdoor dining. For your next gathering, bring the party out to the deck or patio for an evening of enjoyable light bites and delicious wines.
Japan, aka the nation of noodles, offers more than just ramen. In The Land of the Rising Sun you can taste virtually any type of noodle – hot or cold, white or grey, flour or rice, and with or without broth.
Mingo’s seating involves a wooden bar and wooden picnic tables for a casual, cozy dining experience. The restaurant accommodates 46 diners and is a great spot for hosting a party or large group.
