I am planning on going to Yokota for leave. I am currently deployed to Iraq. Im in the army. I am not 100 percent sure on when I will be going on leave. I plan on getting a couple car parts for myself and friends and other "JDM" stuff. I just have a few questions that I need answered. 

Josh, I can't answer all your questions because it's been nearly 10 years since I've living on Yokota Air Base. I'll try to answer a few for you though.

Here's some info on the Kanto Lodge:

http://www.yokotaservices.org/page.php?114

I don't think you can rent an automobile while you are here because you have to get licensed for it first. Do you already have an international license? A stateside license is not enough. So, chances are, you're going to have to rely on public transportation. I believe the base has a bus, and you can use the train system off base to get yourself around. The trains don't run all that frequently out in that area though. There's also the option of using off base bus transportation and taxis (taxis are very expensive though).

There is a USPS post office, so you can ship whatever you need to back to the states.

There are a couple of good places to ear right outside the gate (ranging from Chinese to Thai). I found that Yokota really didn't offer that many restaurants outside the main gate unlike here in Yokosuka (about a 2 - 2 1/2 train ride south).

You can buy candy at any convenience store. I don't think there are any big shopping centers near the base within walking distance, but that could have changed.

I don't think military are supposed to get tattoos here in Japan, but again, but not 100% positive on this.

In my opinion, Yokota is a nice place to visit, but only for a couple days. There's just not a whole lot to do around that base, especially if you don't have a car. You can always catch a train into Tachikawa (about 15 minutes away) or Tokyo (around 50 minutes). I would recommend staying at the Hardy Barracks in Roppongi or The New Sanno right in the middle of Tokyo (both are govt owned). Rates aren't that expensive at either hotel, and you'll find a lot more to see and do around those hotels.

Japan is a great place to visit, although it can be a little overwhelming to a newcomer. It's also very expensive to visit right now because of the weak dollar. Still, you can find a lot of cheap places to eat, and cheap lodging (if you can get reservations).

Hopefully, someone can help answer your other questions. When are you planning to visit and for how long?

Thank you for the info you provided.

I dont have an international license, so I guess im stuck with buses and trains. Which that is fine by me.

Do you have any more info on the Hardy Barracks in Roppongi or The New Sanno you mentioned? I would love to stay in tokyo I just didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on hotels. Kind of wanted to keep my spending more toward the "fun" stuff.

I will be in for 14 days. Im not 100 percent sure when I will be going. It will be in between October and January.

As far as the tattoo goes, I really dont care. lol As long as I watch the artist open up brand new needles out of the bag then shouldn't have a prob with infections and such. I keep my tattoo really clean when they are in the healing stage (first month).

Once again thank you yoko-girl.

1. flying straight to yokota? Unfortunately, there's no direct military flight from iraq to yokota. you would probably have to pass thru a base or two. probably from ramstein or somewhere conus like seattle or travis.

2. passport? if you're traveling via military plane, military id will suffice (and maybe orders)..but if you're going to be on a space available military flight, then you'll be somewhat last priority or might get bumped off..it's better if you bring along your passport just in case you do end up bumped off and decide to take a commercial flight.

3. hotel on base with bfast? yeah there's a hotel here in yokota. around $40 for a room. there's a redenbacher's cafe in the lobby with starbucks coffee..the route16 diner is open for almost 24 hrs on the weekends and is about 3-5mins walk from the hotel. the burger king and food court is about a 10min walk from the hotel..there's also cafe kirara that serves pasta and jap curry in the community center about 5-8 mins from the hotel. here's a link to the kanto lodgel: http://www.yokotasupport.com/page.php?114

4. rent a vehicle? you'll probably need a local japanese permit to rent mainly coz you drive on the left side of the road and there are some road rules that are a bit different from what you're used to in the states. Some of your options are taking the bus (on-base, free), taking the train (go to the community center for instructions for your destination and amount of money you'll need for the train fares), taxi (about $300 from narita airport to yokota), lastly, you can take the services of the vehicle operations office here in yokota. they have scheduled shuttles to tokyo ($8 for SOFA id holders) and narita ($25-40). they also have a chauferred car service. rates depend on where you want to be taken and the number of hours. here's a link to their page: http://www.yokotasupport.com/page.php?126

5. don't know about upgarages, but i do know there are shops that can ship parts to the states.

6. the post office on-base has a USPS service, so yeah you can mail stuff to the US as domestic parcel.

7. there are a few yakiniku (barbecue) restaurants off-base. there's meat there! but if you're looking at eating at some great restaurants, the tokyo area is your best bet.

8. there are a lot of candy at the BX and commissary..they're in one building together with the food court, 10 mins walk away from the hotel on base.

9. there are 2 tattoo parlors across yokota ab. Go to yokotaads.com...you'll see info there

10. if you want to go to japan, yokosuka is probably a bit better than yokota in terms of places to go to. But if you want to just stay on-base, then Kadena AB in okinawa is your best bet coz they have steakhouses, and italian food, and the usual fast foods there on base. There's also an on-off base taxi (about $6 onwards) and you can jump to one base and another. ( Kadena to Foster to Lester )

If you're looking for a cheap place to stay, then I recommend Hardy Barracks.  Plus, The Hardy Barracks is in a good location....plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, clubs, public transportation, etc.  Here's a post I made last year about it:

http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/4516.aspx

I recommend going in Oct or Nov if you can.  The weather is still comfortable in Oct and Nov, but it starts to get a little cold by Dec.  You'll want to bring fall clothes around that time of year with a medium weight coat.  

You can also look into staying at a hostel while in Tokyo.  You'll find tons of them scattered around Tokyo.  Prices range between 1500Y to about 4500Y per night (that's around $20 - $55 now with the current exchange rate).   I actually think this might be better than staying at The Hardy Barracks if you want meet other people to hang out with.  You'll meet a lot of European and Australian hotties in these hostels.    But, if you like your privacy, then stick with The Hardy Barracks.  

Sorry, but I can't really help you with car stuff.  My brothers were really into that stuff when they lived here, but that was years ago (15+ years ago!).  I know that there are places around Yokota for car parts and race stuff, but I have no idea where. 

Plan to spend quite a bit of money for a tattoo, especially in Tokyo.  A tattoo that covers something the size of your shoulder will probably cost you around $600+ depending on the artist......expect to pay about twice what you would pay in the states. 

Japan is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to get around on the cheap.  You can find tons of "Japanese fast food" type restaurants that charge between $4 - $5 / meal.  On average though, expect to pay between $5 - $10 per meal (unless you go to a fancy restaurant).  There's no tipping here, so I actually find that it's cheaper to eat out here than in the U.S.  Tax is usually included in the price on the menu, too.  Drinking, on the other hand, can be very expensive.  A pint of beer will probably cost you about 10 bucks if you go to a pub.....but, there's always happy hour!  You can find cheap places to drink if you know where to go. 

Anyway, good luck with your trip.  Japan is awesome and a great place to visit.  You'll have a lot of fun getting lost in translation in Tokyo!

Contact the guys at AFG moto for any info on parts and upgrades. If they cant do it I'm sure they know someone in the area that can. Try not to look too military ish when you get your Tat, I'm not sure if anyone will call you out on it but WE are not authorized to get them in Japan.

Wow thats for all the info. I will deff look into getting a hotel in tokyo. Any links to good ones?

I know tats are pretty expensive so thats ok with me. Ill wait till toward the end of my leave to get one so my hair is a bit longer. lol

So if I wanna fly into a military base close to tokyo which one would I go with? Looks like Im going to a different base.

How would I go about contacting the guys at AFG moto? Who are these guys?

Only clothes I have with me is pants and a couple of tee shirts and a hoody. How cold does it get in the winter?

How would I go about finding bars in Toyko area?

I'll look into getting a pass port just incase I need it.

Posted By Josh on 06-13-2011 3:34 AM

How would I go about finding bars in Toyko area?

Step 1.  Walk outside your hotel.
Step 2.  Look left, look right, look across the street.
Step 3.  Pick one.
Step 4.  Walk less than 20 paces and enter the bar.
Step 5.  Enjoy the drinks!

Wow, that many bars in toyko huh?

Yeah it kinda does have that many bars! I think your best bet is to go to yokota, take the tokyo shuttle to new sanno, and check in at the new sanno. The customer service in the lobby can give you advise on places to go and maybe some info on your car parts! You can go to the new sanno website and reserve a room, they get fully booked easily between oct to dec... You need a heavy jacket from dec to feb..sept to nov, you can wear medium jacket

http://kshouse.jp/tokyo_index_e.html

I've always liked K House. I haven't been to the ones in Tokyo, but I go to the one up in the mountains all the time when I go skiing. The decor is modern, and they keep the place very clean. Plus, it's nice to have more space to move around than a simple hotel room. Hotel rooms in Tokyo tend to be very small. You'll have access to a full kitchen, living room, and bathroom at the K House. They usually have a couple computers, too, so you can surf the web for free (one of them charges for internet access, the other one is free). They also have a laundry room in case you need to wash your clothes.

Oct / Nov is "sweatshirt" weather. Some days can get windy, so you'll want a coat cuz that wind can cut right through you.

AFG MOTO
http://www.afgmoto.com/
Phone:042.505.8275
Fax:042.505.8276
2-49-21 Nakahara, Musashimurayama
Tokyo 208-0035 JAPAN

They specialize in motorcycle work but they dable in most things that run on gas lol. Good bunch of guys too!

Also If were you I'd book a room and the new sanno then catch a cab to ropngi! That is one of the major night club scenes in Tokyo.

Winter does get cold so be prepared, Its nothing a good hoodi cant protect you from but you may want to bring something that can deflect water off you. BUY AN UMBRELLA!

From the FB page:
"AFG MOTO is Japan's Premier Motorcycle Company. Our demo and custom motorcycles are known around the globe! Web sensations, television, and even motion pictures. AFG MOTO is also Japan's distributor for ICON MOTOSPORTS products. We also have an extensive database and reach for all things motorcycle. If it's meant for two wheels we can do it, even if it's not....we do not know the word impossible!"

Thanks for the help Primamas. New Sanno deff looks to be more like im used to. Im from Charlotte, NC and im used to big open hotels. Those K houses looked good but damn they are tiny. Granted new sanno is no hotel like what i stay in downtown Charlotte but it will work. lol

These guys at AFG MOTO are gonna be able to point me in the right direction as far as up garages and such? I checked out their website, deff do make some very nice bikes.

Do any of you know which base I can fly in at? One that is close to toyko. Getting a passport is going to be really hard and I dont want that to hold me back from taking this trip. That would really piss me off.

Now as far as shipping stuff back to the states is there somewhere I can do that in Tokyo? I rather walk >30 mins to a "post office" then get a train back to a base everyday to get to a post office to ship stuff off.

Im sure I will have questions as I get closer to going and prob more when I get there. Thank you, you all have been so helpful. Awesome people on this site. I get on a lot of forums and people are always saying "search noob" or some stupid s**t like that.

I found a tattoo artist in tokyo that I want to go to. Judging from their website them seem to do an awesome job. Looks like its gonna cost me around 400-500 for a tattoo to go on my chest.

The guys at AFG should be able to help you out. They troll gaijinriders.com all the time so if you want you can log on there and ask them any time. You should fly into Yokota because of the shuttle service. As far as a post office you'll have to googel that info. If I were you I would just hold the items in the room until you're ready to fly out. The base has a pack and wrap service that will package your goods before they get shipped off.

I looked on the calender for the new sanno hotel and there is no way I can stay 2 weeks straight, maybe 5 days tops. I emailed the hardy barracks. Hopefully the email me back. The are cheaper then the new sanno from what I read and are bigger rooms just not as fancy, which i dont care. If that doesnt work out then I will prob just stay in the K's house.

Im working on getting my passport, got to go back in 2 days. I hope I can get it. I will just fly straight into Tokyo if i do get it. Will save me so much trouble and a little money.

On a side note I found the addresses to the 3 up garages around tokyo. Do you guys think I should get a gps? I know I wont be driving but if I can walk to somewhere I will. I just dont wanna get lost in the process.