18-06-2010, 04:49 PM
Misawa is a relatively small town that hosts a Japanese joint military base. For the traveller, this means the hotels are relatively cheap, English is spoken, and dollars may well be accepted. This makes Misawa a good base from which to explore northern Honshu. Misawa itself isn't remarkable. Shops and malls line "Green Pole" Street outside the main gate of Misawa Air Base. Green Pole is named for the poles that line awning-covered sidewalks, which are no longer green but old traditions die hard. Misawa does have a decent rail terminal and, since Japan has an excellent rail network, this can be used to reach much of the surrounding area.