Sasebo History About Fiddler's Green
By Phil Eakins

How many of you have heard of a place called Fiddler’s Green? According to nautical lore, it’s a special place for Sailors to go when they pass on. In other words, Fiddler’s Green is “Sailor heaven” where music always plays, mugs are never empty and all the desires of a Sailor are met.

At one time, U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo boasted its own slice of paradise called Fiddler’s Green. Rather than being the mythical Sailor’s heaven, though, this place was the name of Sasebo’s largest Enlisted Men’s Club. The club was officially opened as EM Club Navy 3912 on August 8, 1952 by then- Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo Captain A.E. Fitzwilliams.

The club, located on a small hill just off the Main Base, had a commanding view of India Basin and Sasebo harbor. A pedestrian bridge once spanned the SSK bypass to help keep patrons off the road and out of traffic.

According to a former club manager, it was not uncommon for the EM Club to reach sales of nearly $100,000 per month during the Korean War; no small feat considering hamburgers sold for 10 cents, steaks were $1.25, mixed drinks could be purchased for a mere 15 cents and beer was only a dime! In 1957 the club became the second largest Navy EM Club in the world based on monthly sales.

From 1961 until 1974 the Navy Ship’s Store Office, precursor to today’s Navy Exchange, managed the EM Club. Eventually a contest was held to provide the club a more fitting name. A group of Sailors from the USS Delta (AR-9) submitted the winning entry: Fiddler’s Green.

The club featured a couple of bars, sukiyaki room, package store, barbershop, yen sales, restaurants and a grand ballroom. The Fiddler’s Green name in glowing green neon lights was extinguished for the final time on March 31, 1976.

The new Fiddler’s Green housing complex, located close to the Tategami gate, is so named because it was built on the site of the former enlisted men’s club. Long live Fiddler’s Green!

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