Thanksgiving in Misawa

In 1972, my father was serving his LDS Mission in Hakodate, Japan.  He and his companion took the ferry to Aomori and then the train to Misawa Air Base for Thanksgiving dinner.  This year we created our own Thanksgiving memory with the LDS Missionaries.  We had the missionaries from Hachinohe over for Thanksgiving dinner.  One of the Elders is from Osaka, Japan so this was his first Thanksgiving. I like to think that my dad is chuckling a little that we are repeating his history, 44 years later.  I am grateful for my eternal family.  I am grateful for my family that is with me here and the family that supports us from across the ocean.

Halloween on Misawa Air Base and Fall in Northern Japan

Halloween is my favorite holiday and so I have been anticipating seeing how it is done here in Misawa. We have enjoyed the last two years of Halloweens in Las Vegas at Nellis because the temperatures were in the 80's and base streets were full of kids.  It was one of the few times that I felt a sense of community at Nellis.  It was a lot colder here but people still came out in droves. I had to resort to the Utah trick of stuffing the kids costumes with under layers for warmth.

Bear- Werewolf, Bub- Pikachu, Pants- Rainbow Dash

Two crazy Death Eater from Harry Potter

We had the experience of watching the Japanese people trick or treat with us. Groups of Japanese nationals were sponsored in by military members and would lines up for candy at each door.  As Pants and I passed out candy, we got used to saying "konbanwa" (good evening.)  I had to laugh at their costumes.  I saw many boy witches with capes and hats, not a typical American boy choice.  They were not dressing up to be something, they just threw on any little play costume piece.   It is fun to see the cultural differences. The Japanese do not celebrate Halloween like we do, it is not a national holiday.  I am sure that this area has adopted it because of the base connection.  We enjoyed our night of candy and costume fun.

Chrysanthemum festival

We have also enjoyed seeing fall come to Japan.  We definitely did miss the changing colors and temperatures while we were living in Las Vegas.  We traveled to Hirosaki, Japan for the chrysanthemum festival and to see the beautiful leaves.

Chrysanthemum Festival

Look at all the color!

The costumes on the statues are made of chrysanthemums

My dad served part of his mission in the city of Hirosaki.  We have a map of Japan on the wall at our home.  We have labeled all the areas that he served in red, the areas that he visited in green, and the areas that we visit in blue. We have enjoyed seeing the overlap. So far we have been in the same places five times.  I think we have done pretty well crossing paths since we have only been here four months. I always find myself wondering if we are walking where he walked and seeing what he saw.  

Beautiful Japanese garden in Hirosaki