Japan's Military Base #1 Largest Community Reporting To Japan

Bringing a vehicle from the US to Japan

FavoritePrincess — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:21:13 GMT

Hi, can anyone tell me how much money it is going to cost us to bring our car over? It is a 2007 Ford explorer. I was wondering how mush we have to spend on inspections, etc. I can't seem to find this information anywhere!

Describe Your Expectations of Japan Pre-Arrival and After You Arrived

Adam Jones — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:16:12 GMT

Describe Your Expectations of Japan Pre-Arrival and After You Arrived.. How did those expectations differ?

So many people when they move to Japan have a Pre-Expectation for what to expect.

I thought everything was going to look like the movie "Karate Kid".. Remember all the huts and small wooden houses??? Boy was I wrong..

What did you expect prior to arriving to Japan? How did that change after you landed to the airport and saw all the people standing at the gates? How was the bus ride looking around out at the culture? Describe your first couple days living in Japan.

Things To Be Aware of In Japan Which May Cause You Harm

Adam Jones — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:01:46 GMT

- Not looking both ways before cross train tracks

- Not looking both ways when crossing any road in Japan

- Be careful in Roppongi (certain areas) at night. All those hecklers trying to get you into their clubs, just keep your hands to your side, and just keep walking and say "No Thank You." Its the safest way, to avoid trouble.

- Stay away from the Yokosuka Honch! Nothing but trouble. I tell all newly arrived personnel, go somewhere else. Why do you want to remain SO CLOSE to the base, which you can get hemmed up. Take your drinking, your partying to another distant location. Its only a matter of time, and then your being brought back to your command in hand cuffs. It might not of even been your fault, but it doesnt matter. You were close, and there were shore patrol everywhere. Why even take the chance?

- Stay away from the massage girls, that try to pick you up on the street.

- If the sign on a door says, "Please no foreigners, dont go in there to look around."

- If you are in a taxi, and dont have money to pay the fare, DONT GET INTO THE CAB!

- If your drunk walking around at night, please dont do anything stupid, like kick over bikes, store owner signs, break windows, pee on peoples property, rampage through funeral homes, break into homes, fall asleep on the sidewalk, pass out on the train..

- Never ever ever fall asleep in public near the base. They will bring you back to the base and contact your command. I've seen it happen to a few people I knew..

- Never sit in the drivers seat and nod off while driving. If your tired, pull over, and get in the back seat and take a nap.

- Never think you can use the ETC lane without having ETC when your driving in Japan. The cameras will get your license plate, and you will receive a fine/ticket.

- If your in a buy-me-a-drink bar. Dont buy the girl drinks all night. Better yet, "ask her to buy you a drink."
Save your money. Avoid these places!!!

- If there is a rally outside the gate, dont try to go and start taking pictures of them, or making fun of them from the side of the street. I once saw an american driving buy the entire group of protestors, screaming outside his window at them calling them losers. DONT DO THIS! Please dont be that stupid.

- If you meet a girl, strap it on. Dont take chances. Although the STD's in Japan is quite low, STD's are everywhere. Don't think you dont have to protect yourself, because you think some girls are just so innocent, and its their first time. Some may surprise you..

All other members, please comment/reply on some of these, and lets build a massive library of BEWARE's for reporting people to Japan.

Tips for new arrivals to Japan

Yoko-girl — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:27:19 GMT

This applies to people in Yokosuka, but people from other bases may find it useful as well:

1. Buy a bike off base - You can rely on the bus or base taxis, but it is easier to get a bike to get yourself around. We bought our bikes on base and ended up returning them because they were so cheap and fell apart after two days of riding them! The pedal broke off of one of them, tire went flat, and both bikes started to rust after one day! Save yourself the trouble and go buy a Japanese bike off base. You can pick one up from Seiyu (top floor - on Blue Street) for under 9,000Y. They don't rust nearly as bad as the bikes sold on base and they include a lock, bell, light, and a groovy basket. Don't worry guys, you don't have to get one with a basket if you don't want to!

2. Go to the Housing Office as soon as you get here. It's right next to the Navy Lodge. Put yourself on the wait list for on base housing.

3. Go off base and visit the numerous housing offices along Rt. 16. Take a look at what's available off base. Let the agents work for you. That's what they're there for! They'll go out of their way to find you the perfect home!

4. Buy a Suico / Pasmo card from the train station. You will need at least 1500Y. 500Y is for the deposit. The other 1000Y is used as your train fare whenever you use the train system in Japan. It's a lot easier to get the card and not have to worry about buying a ticket every time you need to use the train. You can add more money to the card at any of the ticket machines. Here is the Keikyu Line map:

http://www.keikyu.co.jp/worldwide/pdf/rosen_1.pdf

5. Make sure you have good walking shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking (especially if you don't have a bike) during your first couple of weeks in Japan. You won't have a car to get you around until after you go through AOB/ICR (Area of Base - Intercultural Relations seminar - Lasts one week).

6. Don't be afraid to ask for help. We all went through it (moving to Japan), so we know how stressful it can be. If you need something, ask!

7. Have someone on one of these forums give you a tour of your local community (off base). Many of us would be happy to show any of you newcomers around.....hit us up when you get here!

8. Do yourself a favor and open a Navy Fed account prior to moving to Japan (if you don't already have one). There is a NFCU on base and a Community Bank which is associated with Bank of America (well, not really, but sort of!).

9. To keep your sanity, try to get out of the Navy Lodge (or off the boat) as much as possible. There are many things to do on and off base (workout at the gym, take the kids to the park, take a stroll down Blue Street).

10. Utilize the computers in the library.....they're great! Forget the tiny, archaic computers in the Navy Lodge. The computers in the library are brand new (as of last year - 2009).

If anybody else can think of more "tips," please add them below!!!!

Tips for Living Off Base

KLM290 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:59:23 GMT

Hello all! We are getting ready to leave Japan to go back to the States - what a great ride it’s been! Thought I'd share some tips from our perspective (just the hubs and I, no pets and no kids) of living off base.

UTILITIES AND YOUR OFF BASE HOME
- You will likely pay three major utilities: Electric, Gas, and Water/Sewage (oh, and internet!)
- We have NEVER gone over our allotted COLA to pay for such things, so I wouldn't worry about that
- I don't know anyone who has claimed that Japanese cable as changed their life - you might want to save yourself the $50 and enjoy the free AFN satellite offerings. Personal choice, though!
- Most bills you will pay out in town at a convenience store - not hard, just another task to do. Many single guys and some families choose to use the "GI Bill Pay" service for a monthly fee so they don't have to deal with it.

LAUNDRY AND APPLIANCES
- Housing will supply appliances to your off base home such as a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, and a stackable laundry/dryer combo.
- The dryers do not work very well off base for some reason - not sure why. No exaggerations when I say that a load of laundry can take 3 hours to dry.
- There are laundry facilities on base at Atsugi and Zama - I would highly recommend using them for large loads like sheets and towels. Wish we would have been doing this much sooner. Otherwise, put out the drying rack and open some windows

HEATING AND COOLING YOUR OFF BASE HOME
- In general, off base homes are not insulated very well. Some new ones may have heated floors to help, but that is not the norm.
- My husband and I lived by our Kerosene heaters that base supplied. Some of friends' pay upwards of $300 a month in the winter to use their electric wall heaters. We pay about $100 in the coldest months for electric and $25 on kerosene. You get over the smell real quick when it starts pumping heat immediately!
- Consider an electric blanket to help warm up the bed before you turn in for the night. Stick your cold feet against your husband for added warmth if he's around

TRAINS
- Super easy and clean
- We really thought our Pasmo/Suica cards were the way to go. Its just a prepaid card that you load up as needed and keep in your wallet to tap at the gate in the station - it doesn't save/cost you any more than buying little tickets each time, but its just plain easier.
- It never hurts to Hyperdia your route in case you need to hustle! www.hyperdia.com

CARS
- I would NOT recommend shipping your car here. Few do and its a pain in the bum.
- You'll find plenty of cheap used cars to buy either on base (there are as many people leaving as going!) or at places near base that speak English and are used to the procedures. One of our cars was $400 and another was $2000. You know what, though? It doesn't seem to matter how much you pay, cause something will go wrong with it the moment your spouse goes on deployment
- No matter what time of year you buy the car, check to make sure the AC and heater works.

DRIVING
- Simpler than you may think
- The map that the base housing office gives you is key! Spans a nice large area and the roads are accurate - most gals I know have used it so much, its in pieces in their driver side door
- Some folks like the "Mapple" maps find in places like the 7-11s
- More and more people are using GPS systems - of course that would be easy, too!

Housing Pictures on Japan Bases

tulipsonly — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:54:15 GMT

Adam added a new category to the Pictures area of the site with subcategories for each housing base and size. Please help build this area for people moving to Japan. If you haven't moved into your new place yet, PLEASE take photos and post as well as adding photos after you move in. Thanks.

Getting to Japan Without Command Sponsorship

Adam Jones — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:32:45 GMT

I received this question by email. I wanted to get more feedback on the subject for amanda.. Lets try to help her out guys.

Hey there, my name is amanda. I was just curious if you had any info on
getting to japan without sponsorship. My husband is in the navy and is attached
to a marines unit out of futenma air base in okinawa. We know that getting
sponsorship not only takes a while, but also enlongates his orders and
whatnot--that is exactly what we are trying to avoid. We are willing to pay out
of pocket for the flight, and I already have a dependant id and a passport. He's
E5 but stuck in the barracks, do you know if we will qualify for housing if I'm
not put on his orders? We are both trying to get answers, but it seems like
everyone is telling us something different. I'm just afraid that if I get out
there, we won't be able to get housing or something terrible like that. Any
advice you have would be more helpful than you know. I'm just getting tired of
talking to different departments who don't seem to have any answers-figured I'd
try a human being! Thanks

Off base Housing

talymo — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:07:31 GMT

My husband and I will be PCSing to Yokosuka in February. (30 days, to be exact!) We'd really like to live off base, so that we can be totally immersed in the culture. Does anyone have any information or advice on living off base? Good and/or bad areas of town (if there is a bad area? I've never been, so I don't know).

Thanks in advance!

G.I. Bill Pay Housing Rent Service in Japan

Adam Jones — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:42:23 GMT

They can help you arrange for the payment for your rent, electric, phone, water, gas and more.

What are your thoughts about G.I. Bill Pay company? Are they expensive, have you ever had any problems? Do they take the money out of your account ontime? Are there any hidden fees?

Okinawa: Tel: (098) 936-9640; Fax: (098) 926-4044; Email:okinawa@gibillpay.com
Yokosuka: Tel: (046) 828-4387; Fax: (046) 823-2869; Email: yokosuka@gibillpay.com
Sasebo: Tel: (0956) 23-0101; Fax: (0956) 23-0099; Email: sasebo@gibillpay.com
Misawa: Tel: (0176) 50-0014; Fax: (0176) 51-1772; Email: misawa@gibillpay.com
Osan: Tel: (031) 661-9600; Fax: (031) 784-1523; Email: osan@gibillpay.com

Then G.I. Bill Pay is for you! We make it easy to make sure your bills are paid. We withdraw dollars from your American bank account, change it to the local currency, and take care of your bills. It's the easiest way to make sure your bills are paid. No need to open a new bank account. No need to stand in line to pay your bills.

They use U.S. banking system software to withdraw/deposit money to/from your account. You are protected by U.S. law against unauthorized withdrawals from your account.

Reporting Pregnant

jvolbeda — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:11:20 GMT

So here is a new twist to moving. We are set to PCS early December (the 4th I think). We found out yesterday that we are 4 weeks pregnant, of course this was the day after we were forced to turn in paperwork stating what date we would like to fly out. Has anyone done this before, move during their last trimester? We should be due late January according to my doctor, so will they even let me move? Will a doctor even see me out there? I don't even know if I will be clear to fly! We will see the doctor again next Thursday and I'll be able to ask about flying and what not but I'm really not sure about the rest of it. Any advise would be appreciated!!

Do you have to live on-base?

cfsfdf — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:45:35 GMT

When we first moved to Japan, we didn't even bother with on-base housing options and moved directly into town within a month or so of arrival.

Now I hear there's a new policy in Yokosuka that all incoming personnel will be required to live in Navy housing if it is less than 90% full.

How true is this? I can't find any info on housing's webpage about the new policy. How will this affect people with pets since townhouse space is limited?

While I am already here, I do have a friend transferring here who really wants to live out in town. I'm guessing it is no longer an option anymore?

Just trying to get a little more information

PCSing to Yokosuka on OCT2013

CorpsmanY — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:57:55 GMT

PCSing to Yokosuka on OCT2013 and is wondering if I can go over to Japan Early using my leave like 7 days to travel and sightseeing without paying for the tickets, and is also wondering how much the lodging costs in Japan.

Local move

missy_d88 — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:20:46 GMT

I know this is the reporting to Japan section but I didn't know where to post this. I was just wondering if anyone has paid for a local move and what their experience was. I got the info for the 3 companies from personal property I just don't know where to start

Dual military on-base vs off-base?

HazNavy — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:46:01 GMT

Greetings,

     Dual Navy trying to decide whether to live on or off-base upon arrival in July of 2013. My wife and I are both healthcare providers so we have to be within 20 minutes of NH Yokosuka.  Both of us will draw OHA, but unless the rules have changed since our time on Guam, we can't pocket the difference.

1. What on-base/off-base housing areas are closest to Yokosuka?
2. Is off-base housing worth the hassle?
3. What's the COLA for Yokosuka?
4.  Is there a CDC at NH Yokosuka?

     Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Moving to Yokosuka in June 2013

YokoMama — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:02:36 GMT

Hi, all! My family will be moving to Yokosuka coming June and we are all very excited about Japan and the Japanese culture.

I am currently in the process of preparing for our move even though it's 9 months away. We are starting our weekly self-guided Japan class at home within our family so we will not be "shock" when we arrive next year. We are aware of the on-base convenience, but would love to live in the local economy to have a more complete Japanese experience.

HOUSING:

This site has a lot of info on housing, and I am sure as long as I have a good realtor, this will not be a big concern to me. If you have a realtor that you would recommend, I would appreciate your help.

SCHOOLING:

We have a set of twins, who are turning 10 this October and are in 4th grade right now. My main concern is about their education. We have never attended DoD schools so I don't know how it is different than what we have here Stateside. Do they offer extracurricular activities? I know all schools have issues to a certain extend, but are there any "problems" that we should be aware of? I also noticed quite a few families homeschool their children; anyone can shed some light on the pros and cons of homeschooling?

Again, I appreciate any information and assistance rendered. If you also have information on U.S. TV programming, and how we can get it...that would be fantastic!

Thanks!

Bringing Vehicle to Japan?

KrisW — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:22:05 GMT

Hello all,

I have read from many people on here that it is not wise to bring your vehicle with you. We will be PCSing from Hawaii to Yokosuka Naval Base in April. My dilemma is that we just recently purchased a new vehicle. I do not want to put it in storage for 3 years while paying a large car payment. I don't know if it would be better to suck it up and pay all the expenses or look into a dealership buy back program. We currently owe 30k on the vehicle. Any advice?!

Thanks

Current Waiting times for Housing at Yolosuka and Ikego

Engr44 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:44:09 GMT

Can anyone tell me what the current wait times for military housing are at Yokosuka and Ikego? I am a DoD civilian. I know it doesnt bump up preference but I am sure military should have the preference. Thanks, Engr44

Moved off base but moved on base due to pregnant wife.

TonyH — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:40:35 GMT

I have been trying to find out if you have to payback all Advance OHA/MIHA. I was told by COC that I have to pay back all OHA/MIHA advances (Almost $11,000) in 12 months. I have paid back half of it already but this small paycheck is not cutting it especially with a baby and another one on the way. I can't find an instruction or anyone who has gone through this. I am on Yokosuka base now so trying to see if maybe they owe me money or if I'm just screwed out of a lot of money? Any info or help is greatly appreciated.

Getting Masters Through UMUC

jvolbeda — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:02:06 GMT

Has anyone gone through any of the masters programs offered through UMUC? I am having a very difficult time getting a call through to them or getting the appropriate people to email me, they keep putting me through to their undergrad programs which I already have a BS and BA. I am just wondering if you had to wait until you got over there to apply and once you did enroll what were the classes and work load like? Also do you have any recommendations for making it through 1 possibly 2 programs in the 3 years that we have over there?

Any and all feedback is appreciated!

Do we need yen before we get to Japan?

FluteGirl — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:02:31 GMT

When I read travel books about vacationing in Japan they all advise having a couple of hundred dollars worth of Yen prior to arriving in Japan. Will we need yen landing in Yakota and taking the shuttle bus to Yokosuka? Or can it wait until we get on base ? Also, can you use NFCU check card on base without the international fee (for commissary, Chilis, etc) or should we just plan on switching over to all cash, all the time?