This is the most important part of planning any night out from Misawa, so it's worth being clear.
Japan has very strict drunk-driving laws. The legal limit is extremely low, penalties are severe, and in Japan, passengers who knowingly ride with a drunk driver and people who provide alcohol to someone who's driving can also face penalties. The only safe rule is simple: if you're driving, don't drink. Not even one.
The good news is that shisha doesn't require alcohol at all. A hookah session pairs just as well with a soft drink, and the person behind the wheel can enjoy the full experience. With that in mind, here are some ways to get home:
- Designated driver. If you're coming as a group, pick one person to stay alcohol-free for the night. They still get to enjoy shisha, the music, and the company.
- Soft drinks for solo drivers. Coming alone by car? Plan on soft drinks from the start, and you can relax without anything to worry about.
- Daiko (driver substitution services). Japan has a widely used service called daiko, where a driver comes to you and drives you home in your own car, usually with a second vehicle following. If you'd like to drink and still bring your car home, look up a daiko service in advance and save the number.
- Taxi. Taxis are another option, especially within Hachinohe. For a longer ride back to Misawa, it's a good idea to check availability and the likely cost before you commit.
- Train. If you came by train, check the last train times before you go out. Late-night services in the region end relatively early, so if you plan to stay late at AZ, you'll want another way home.
And whatever your plan, remember that AZ is open until 5 AM – there's no reason to rush back, and no reason to take chances.

If you've been to hookah lounges in the US or elsewhere, a Japanese shisha bar will feel familiar in many ways, with a few local touches worth knowing.
- Getting started. When you arrive at AZ, head up to the second floor of the Hirai Building. Staff will show you to a seat, and you'll choose a flavor from more than 30 options. If you have a go-to flavor from back home, describe it – the staff can help you find something similar.
- The pace. A shisha session in Japan is just as unhurried as anywhere else. Expect to spend a good while over one bowl. If the smoke gets harsh or thin, let the staff know so they can check or replace the charcoal.
- The atmosphere. AZ is a relaxed, music-filled lounge, more about easy conversation and slow evenings than a loud party scene.
- Drinks. You'll order a drink to go with your shisha. As covered above, drivers should stick to soft drinks, and guests aged 18–19 are served soft drinks only.
- Paying. At the end of your visit, you settle the bill. AZ accepts cash, credit cards, and e-money, so you won't be stuck if you're low on yen.
- No tipping. Tipping isn't customary in Japan, and that applies to bars as well. A simple "thank you" – or "arigatou gozaimasu" – on your way out is all that's expected.
- Language. If you don't speak much Japanese, don't let that stop you. Pointing at the menu works perfectly well, and a translation app can help with anything more specific.

A lot of people in Misawa didn't discover shisha in Japan. Maybe you had a favorite hookah lounge near a previous base, in your hometown, or during a deployment or trip abroad. If so, you probably already know what you like – and you may be wondering whether you'll find it in Hachinohe.
With more than 30 flavors on the menu at AZ, there's a good chance you'll find something in the same family as your old go-to. Because flavor names and brands vary from place to place, the easiest approach is to describe what you're after rather than asking for a specific product. Tell the staff something like "I usually smoke something minty," "I like a classic, traditional taste," or "I want something sweet and fruity," and let them point you in the right direction.
If you're a regular hookah smoker, it's also worth treating your first few visits as a chance to explore. Japanese shisha bars often stock flavors that are a little different from what you might be used to, and trying something unfamiliar is part of the fun of smoking shisha in a new country. A good routine is to order one flavor you know you'll enjoy on one visit, then branch out on the next.
And if you're the person in your group who knows hookah well, you might end up being the guide for friends who've never tried it. That's one of the nicest parts of a Misawa-to-Hachinohe night out: introducing someone to their first shisha in a relaxed setting, with good music and no rush to leave.