Can I visit you in Japan?

This is by far the most common question I get when I break news to people that I'm going to Japan. The answer is always OF COURSE! You can even stay with us wherever we end up putting down roots.

Please keep in mind, the part of Japan I will be living in is not a place you can decide on the spur of the moment you want to go to....to prepare you must:

1. Get a passport (duh)

2. Apply for a Japanese visitor's visa, which should be good for 30 days.

3. Make sure you have purchased or have travel health insurance!! (<-- this is important as often you will not be allowed on base unless you can prove you have this, also if you get hurt the Japanese and/or base hospital will not see you without it) -- Unfortunately, hospitals in this part of Japan have had a huge problem with visitors running out on their bills. So unless you can prove that you can pay, you most likely will not be treated.

4. Cash, cash, cash (in yen of course). Japan is a cash society. Not even McDonald's on base takes credit or debit cards. Which is strange to me since they are the originators of so much technology, you would think they would have changed to a cashless society. However, cash has some societal implications (that escape me) attached to it, so the Japanese continue to use cash.

5. Bring EVERYTHING you need with you. If you run out of your specialty American soap that you HAVE to use due to allergies, bring TWO of them so you don't run out. The base has a very limited selection. Visitor's who are not military are not be allowed into the commissary (which is the grocery store on base) and also may not be allowed into the NEX (the department store on base) depending on the security threat levels that day. Of course, Japanese grocery stores should have everything, but it may not be the items or brands you are used to. If you are a lady, bring your lady care items, even if you don't think you'll need them.

6. Bring walking shoes. You will walk a lot in Japan.