Marines Spouses Life In Iwakuni, Japan

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I think I may be one of the only people here actually in Iwakuni. With that said, there isn't much to do in Iwakuni, but we are very close to the train station that can get you anywhere. The base offers a nail and hair salon that does pretty good work. There are also a few salons really close to the base that a lot of people go to. There is a nail salon that is owned by a spouse within walking distance, but she is very popular and hard to get an appointment with. I am currently working as a sub at the school on base and going to school. There are employment opportunities, but you need to jump on them as quality jobs are highly competitive. Other than that, it is a fairly small base and community, sort of like a everybody knows everybody place.

this info was very helpful to me as we will be there sometime in may ! whoo hoo im excited

Shopping offbase is very limited. Groceries are ok, there are antiques & second-hand shops, hardware and Japanese clothing (no American large sizes). Beyond that, I have to go to Hiroshima for sporting goods, decent kitchen ware, trendy clothing, furniture & house wares. Think of it like this: Iwakuni is kind of a large farming town, not real trendy. Girls wear skirts below the knees kinda place. Yoko girls would really stand out here. It is a simple and modest place.

I really love Starbucks and there is utterly nothing like that here. There is exactly 1 coffee shop in town, but it's more of a crafts shop that sells coffee: $5 for a very small demitasse and no refills. You will be the only customer there. I so miss my Starbucks that I'll drive 1 hour to Hiro just to remind myself of the experience.

There is ONE podunk theater in town, generally Japanese-language only but some movies have English. It is NOT a modern multiplex; it's a dark narrow stairway above a music shop & you totally will miss it if you don't have good directions. I haven't been inside. The ONLY American food chain is McDonalds; not that I miss American food but it gives you a sense of the place. No other American name brand stores (other than Japanese-style 7/11).

BTW, I'm not complaining, just reporting. I like it here & in general I don't miss American culture. On base has a food court with all the junk food you will need.

Thank you Thai Guy for the valuable information! Glad to have another Iwakuni member, to share some information and experiences.

No prob. I've been here 7 months, plus I used to live in Yoko so I'm pretty familiar with Japan.

this was so helpful to me as it is pre warning me of what i will have in store for me lol -- i so need to do a major shopping spree before i leave america !

" i so need to do a major shopping spree before i leave america!"

true true, but if you plan to live off base I will caution you against bringing large furniture. It's hard to imagine Japanese homes: They are not only smaller, but broken up into smaller rooms so American sized sofas, dining sets, etc. just don't fit.

ThaiGuy, there are a few KFC's in town in addition to McDonald's/ There is one near YouMe Town

You are correct about KFC. I tend to forget about them cuz it's more expensive and smaller portions than US, plus it doesn't taste as good. But yes, it's there. The Japanese LOVE the KFC onbase. They think it tastes better & they can't believe the low US prices.