Welcome, We are James and Shaharriet
Houchins. We are a "Traditional" Catholic Family employed by The United
States Air Force stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan. We are proudly
bonded in the Sacrament of Marriage. From this bond we were chosen
to be Co-creaters with Christ and from our union he has blessed us
with 7 wonderful children so far.
A little about Japan ( where
we live)
No learning
the language was not required but it does help. When you
arrive on Base they teach you a survival Japanese
(quickie), that is all we took. The language is
difficult, but can be done. I learn alot from my Japanese
maid called a Mamasan. Living here is wonderful. It is
just like living in any city. Buildings, streets, and
such. The Japanese do not drive their cars for more than
5 years, the minimum wage here is = to 30,000 a year in
the states. We have a fully automatic, 4 wheel-drive,
power windows, doors, and curtains, remote controlled rear ac/heater, front and rear sunroof 1991 Nissan Serena
Van that seats 8
and we paid only 5,900. No way in the states. As for
sights, wow !
thats tough there are so many. Skiing galore, and
beautiful snowcapped mountains in winter. Festivals all
year. The Japanese Onsen (Hot Bath) year round. This is
my favorite place. Indoor swimminp parks. Hot Baths Spas
galore. Eating galore. With the yen conversion the hot
Baths cost about 1.50, as it is 250yen. My favorite
Restaurant is a place called Yakenekoo or Vikings in
English. This place is wonderful it is an all you can eat
place. You can sit Japanese style on a Tatami floor or
American at a table. Inside each table is a grill you go
get whatever you want lamb, beef, chicken,liver, ect and
onions, bellpeppers, etc, and cook it yourself. There is
rice, soup, chicken, and sushi available, Also full
service salad bar, and ice cream, and drinks free and as
I said all you can eat. All this for 950 yen about 7.00
weekdays till 3pm then the price goes up to 1450 yen till
close about 11:00pm . Kids under 5 eat free. The meat
selections are excellent, marinated, pure, no
presearvites. Thats just a few, as for the weather, it is
for me wonderful. We get an average of 120 inches of snow
a year. The summer is short meaning degrees of 60-80 from
about May- Sept. Then it cools to about 50-60 degrees
till Nov. or Dec then we see some snow. Now this year
with El nino, we had 159 inches of snow and It is july
and we have had some low temps of 48 to 55. Setting
records but not breaking the 45 degrees set in July 1968.
In the summer it usually is our rainy season. We drive on
the left side of the road. Oh and yes this is the
cleanest country. All the bathrooms on the side of the
road, CLEAN, and as for crime nothing like the states.
When I lived off base I left 100.00 bill in my car by
accident, and the next evening I go to my car for the
first time and wala! there it is, and my car is open. WE
LOCKED no doors off base and keys are left in cars. When
you go to see a Japanese house for rent the lights are
left on and the door open so you can go at your lesuire.
Please
Enjoy our website, invite others and come again soon.
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