If you're lucky enough to have two adjoining rooms, this post is for you!

We asked for a bed to be removed from each room so we could have more play room. It also helps for the two cribs in one of the rooms.

In the kitchenettes you can have a microwave, toaster, coffee pot, etc removed to make more counter space/storage space.

There IS a playroom on the first floor but conveniently this winter it's being 'remodeled'.

Apparently the two dryers on the right (on each floor) are the strongest & you should always use permanent press for the best drying times. The quarter machine gives change for $1 & $5--washers are $1.00, dryers are $.50.

A crock pot from the NEX can help w/ some meals. Also-we brought two fisher price seats w/ trays for the kids (in our luggage) but I'm sure you could ask for high chair 'rentals' probably for free-as they are included when/if you move into a home before your HHG arrives.

If you have kids make sure you call the hourly CDC to confirm spots for your kids during AOB. If they're full the regular CDC will take them, but only if there's room. Car seats are in taxis on base if you request them.

Still learning on our end...but JapanBases sooo helped us out in preparation!

Great post Melissa! I'm sure many mommies and daddies arriving in Japan will find it most helpful!

I bought a griddle/electric skillet combo at the NEX for $50 and I cooked most meals for my family of 4 in it. You have "high speed" internet in your room with an individual modem, so any VoIP system can be used to call home if you have a laptop.

You can sign up for childcare before ever arriving there is a waitlist, but I'm afraid I do not know the link. While in AOB childcare is free-they will give you a voucher.

If you come in the Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter be advised all heating/cooling is controlled by the base so you may either burn up/freeze if it hasn't been turned on. Pack accordingly if you are coming during a seasonal transition.

Also, you can go to the PSD of your local base and call to make reservations for kennel, CDC, etc free from their DSN line, or at least ours let us

Also if you are there during the summer, there is a great little splash fountain by the side of Chili's that I took my daughter to play in nearly everyday.

Also if you are there during the summer, there is a great little splash fountain by the side of Chili's that I took my daughter to play in nearly everyday.

very helpful information. i am looking forward to my move more and more.

Still learning on our end...but JapanBases sooo helped us out in preparation!

Great, glad to hear you have found JB useful in your transition. It will get much much better soon, once we launch the base information sections! Thanks for posting information that will help more people in the future concerning Navy Lodge.

Here is a question I just received by email:

I have read a lot of the reporting information on the forum but am having a bit of difficulty. I have been recruited as a civilian contractor to work at the Yokosuka Naval Hospital. I can find a ton of information on what to do if you are military, but not so much on what to expect as a civilian. I understand we would have full base privileges, COLA, Housing Allowance etc, but am still a bit confused.

The main question I have (at this point) is if we will be able to stay in the base hotel while we look for an apartment. It will be me, my husband, and 5-year-old daughter.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, you will be able to stay onbase, but I recommend you read through the following:

Yokosuka Navy lodge availability
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/4443.aspx

Reservations at the NAVY LODGE in Yokosuka
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/2750.aspx

Life In The Navy Lodge At Yokosuka
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/5413.aspx

Navy Lodge Reservations
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/4518.aspx

Navy Lodge Pictures
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/3158.aspx

Adam, is it true that civilian contractors have the same privileges as military and federal workers? I was under the impression that if the civilian contractor is married to a military service member or DoD employee, they will get COLA etc. through their spouse but cannot get it themselves as a contractor. I also thought that contractors cannot live on base if they are not married to a service member or DoD employee (except if there is room in Ikego and they pay rent). And I think their housing allowance comes through their contractor ... The contractor that we sponsored couldn't stay in the Navy Lodge (no orders) but did stay some place else on base (he came without his family and his family came later). My info could be wrong so I wanted to check with you ...

How are the cribs the Navy Lodge provides?  Are they decent or should we consider  bringing our own pack N play?

The cribs are good. We used two in our adjoining room for 8 weeks...housekeepers changed the bedding and brought new baby blankets whenever we asked. Don't lug a Pack n' Play! Send them w/ HHG. Bring/buy tape (duct tape is dark & would work best) to tape the shades to the wall--it will make the room totally dark. Otherwise just the little bit of light that comes through can light up the room.

Yep! We bought the duct tape (almost 4 weeks ago) when we got here and we're still using it. It helped get the kids to sleep in later almost immediately. Remember sun is up just after 4 am!

We brought our small pack-n-play with us and it wasn't too bad bringing it along. We checked it with our baggage and it didn't count towards our allowance so we didn't have to be lugging it around or deal with keeping up with it until we arrived at the airport here and had to load things in the van that brought us to base. I felt that with her own pack-n-play, I knew it have "our scent" and it make it easier for her to sleep in it and help her adjust considering the jet-lag little ones experience.

By the way... the duct tape also came in handy when we had to label everything that goes to the CDC with our kids while we went to the AOB/ICR classes for a week. We bought a black sharpie marker along with the tape and viola! Labels! LoL!

Best of luck!

Hi I have a question about the lodge, do they have fans in the room?? I am one of those crazy people who can not sleep without a fan, and when I get there it will be Oct and I don't think the NEX will still have some for sale. Thanks.

Jess

No fans in navy lodge.

Posted By Jess@ on 09-23-2011 10:46 PM
Hi I have a question about the lodge, do they have fans in the room?? I am one of those crazy people who can not sleep without a fan, and when I get there it will be Oct and I don't think the NEX will still have some for sale. Thanks.

Jess

You shouldn't have a problem finding a fan at the NEX.  You can even get them out in town if for some reason they don't have them in stock at the NEX.  I've been able to pick up a lot of free fans off Craigslist Japan.  A lot of people give them away when they move.  Worst case scenario, I can let you borrow one of ours if you can't get your hands on one.  Just hit me up.  I gotta have a fun running all night too when I sleep!    I can't sleep in complete silence. 

Thank you Yoko-girl, I thought I was going to have to mail myself a fan. So I will definitively check the NEX and if I cant find one then I will take you up on your offer. I figure with the jet lag/time change I will need a fan for sure to give me a since of the norm and help me relax.