Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Breezy · **Japan -** 08-21-2007, 08:45 PM

Looks like it is a huge probability for us. Anyone been there? If so what pointers can you give me?
We are looking at Sasebo, Atsugi, Oki, and Misawa.
The other choices are Guam and Cuba
Not sure I can do Cuba. But willing to go to Japan and Guam.

Murph · 08-21-2007, 09:24 PM

I loved Japan, best three years of my life. Japan is absolutely magnificent, safe, and photogenic. Misawa is cold, Sasebo and Atsugi are the better choices.

Breezy · 08-21-2007, 09:35 PM

Thanks Murph
We are leaning more towards Atsugi.
what about Okinawa?

picman · 08-21-2007, 09:42 PM

If you are have any thoughts of Guam, I hope you like snakes. Google "Brown Tree Snake" and "Guam".

Breezy · 08-21-2007, 09:45 PM

haha as long as they don't get in my house I can deal we are from the Country and used to them. My kids on the other hand are not lol.
Japan would be our first choice, Guam second and Cuba well I am really not interested in it at all.

brad · 08-21-2007, 09:56 PM

Misawa: Dress warm.

Atsugi: Not so much, but still should dress warm.

Okinawa: mmmmmmmmmmmm ... I could go on and on about that magical, wonderful, tropical isle.

Breezy · 08-21-2007, 10:00 PM

Ok thanks Brad.
I hear it is beach. We are sort of tired of the beach but hey that is where the money is, right :D

picman · 08-21-2007, 10:02 PM

Some Discovery Channel show was about Guam and brown snakes. They had classes for new comers about how to deal with them because they are everywhere - including getting inside.

brad · 08-21-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breezy

Ok thanks Brad.
I hear it is beach. We are sort of tired of the beach but hey that is where the money is, right :D

Atsugi is beach... so is Misawa... but it snows in the winter both places... especially Misawa.

Okinawa is tropical island... think Hawaii only everything's in Japanese.... oh, nevermind.. JUST like Hawaii.

Breezy · 08-21-2007, 10:43 PM

Ok well atleast that narrows it down lol. Thanks Brad
DH would be more for the snow though since he was deployed every time it snowed in VA lol. I could care less I do not want to freeze but I am sick of 90s year round too.
But hey if it looks like HI I might could deal lol.

And Brian no way in HECK am I living with a snake. If I can whack it with a shoe and kill it I am ok but rats and snakes in the house NO THANK YOU lol.
Thanks for the heads up.
I will have to contact the friend of mine who wen there 4 years ago and see if they had any problems with the snakes lol.

brad · 11:02 PM

90s in Oki is rare... usually beautiful 85-95s at the high side... 40 degrees at the lowest in winter.. beautiful ocean breezes.

Typhoons, now.. that's another matter.. storms that make Katrina look like a minor shower... but the buildings are built of concrete, so riding them out isn't a problem.

And the snake to worry about in Okinawa is the Habu.. native to the island... pit viper... nasty little bugger, can take a hand off with its jaw strength... venom kill ya in 24 hours without anti-venom.... oh, and its the only pit viper in the world that doesn't HAVE to inject venom when it bites. So, in other words, they make sure you are actually poisoned before giving the antidote..... but Habu bites are actually pretty rare.

Breezy · 08-21-2007, 11:23 PM

THanks for scare of that snake Brad lol
I might can deal with the 85-95 degree temps since it isn't year round.
Thank you all for the helpful insight :D

Murph · 06:26 AM

We spent our time at Camp Drake, and Yokota AFB in Tokyo, and the photo opportunities are endless. The weather is really not bad in the winter. There is nothing like waking up, and going outside on a frosty morning and seeing Mt. Fuji in the distance. Lovely. I would drop everything, and go back to Japan in a New York Minute if possible. I would love another three or four year tour in Japan if I was in the military, or work as a DOD civilian.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAF_Atsugi

Breezy · 08-22-2007, 09:04 AM

Thanks guys.
Dh and I have wanted overseas forever. He wants a specific job but the detailer is saying career wise it isn't a good move. And that we should go overseas. Dh and I talked more yesterday and he informed me he doesn't care if it is a bad career move he wants it. I think that is pretty selfish. I mean I understand him wanting something but if it could pretty much kill his chances of making chief. But dh says in 7 years he has to make chief. I think in 7 years he should be higher than chief. JMO.
Any way so now I have no clue what he will do. But he does know he has to live with me for that 3 years lol.

andyz · 08-22-2007, 09:10 AM

I lived in Japan for several years. But the conversion rate was 360 Yen to the Dollar back then and I was in the 6th grade. My memories won't help you much. But I liked it!

You could check out Martin Bailey's photography podcast for a good feel of what is there that he sees from Tokyo and his travels around the islands. In any case, it is an adventure to enjoy. I went to Guam but only once. I think it would get small after awhile.