Hello,

I apologize if these are repeat questions, I tried to read through the boards to check in advance. We got last minute orders to Sasebo, so I am in the process of figuring everything out for when we arrive.

Once placed in housing, do you have to pay a separate company for internet? What about cable? We we were stationed  in Guam 4 years ago and got all American TV stations, so just wondering what that situation is for Japan. What American restaurants if any are located near/on main base?

What do you use for a cell phone? I know we can use Skype at home, but I have a young child and would feel more comfortable while out and about if I had a phone, what companies/how much do you pay?

I keep reading that the commissary is limited on brands of certain items and to stock up ahead of time. Any heads up on what items are hard to come by that are nonperishable I should be stocking up on?

Lastly, I read on the welcome aboard package that closets did not come with rods to hang hangers on, is this for off base housing or also for on base?

I have many more that I am sure I will be updating with in the future.

Thanks in advance!

We live on base and we have rods in all our closets. Here in Yokosuka, we use Americable on base for internet and cable. we pay 124 a month I think. As for Cell phone, there are several carriers but we have softbank. We have four phones. Two are iphones and two are regular flip phones with no internet for the kids....that costs us around 198 a month.

Congratulations on your orders & welcome to Japan (soon).

Hey, since you did a tour in Guam would you mind going here http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/8246.aspx and posting your thoughts about Guam? Did you live onbase or offbase there? I'm thinking of going there.

In regards to your questions, there are a zillion restaurants in Sasebo including American fast food. There is a Chili's on the main base & a food court. You will find dining to be one of the great pleasures of Japan, but try to get more into the local cuisine which is endlessly delightful.

Softbank is the vendor on base for cell phones. You can also choose from Au & Docomo offbase. You'll figure it out when you get here, no problem. You can search this website for iPhone or Softbank to learn a lot more about it.

My advice about the commissary is: Don't worry about it. People like to complain, and they most particularly like to complain about what is out of stock. You will find 96% of what you want in stock on base. The other 2% you can find in town. The last 2%, just chalk it up to the joys of living overseas. Yes, you WILL learn to survive a week while your favorite yogurt is out of stock. No biggie.

In offbase housing, the largest closets are designed to fold up quilts & futon cushions. They have only a large shelf and no rod. There will be a few smaller closets with rods. You might find a way to install a rod in the futon closets, or just learn to fold rather than hang your clothes. On base, I believe there will be lots of hanging space (no futon closets). Either way, again no biggie. Everyone gets by & don't let this dissuade you from living off base. People exaggerate about the impact of these things.

We live off base, and all of our closets have rods. They're also sold at quite a few stores in town.

The only thing I ever notice being inconveniently out-of-stock (inconvenient, because they're out when I need it) is contacts lens cleaner and tampons. You can find the former out in town. As for the latter, unless you use tampax or the NEX brand, stock up. You will be hard-pressed to find any brand at the local drugstores, and it always seems the NEX and commissary only have the type you don't need.

I wouldn't say there's "a zillion" restaurants, but you certainly won't go hungry. On-base there's a Chili's, McDonald's, Popeye's, Taco Bell, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, and Anthony's Pizza, plus the Harbor View Club which has restaurant nights. Off-base there are a few American fast food places-McDonald's, KFC-and a bunch of restaurants that serve "Sasebo burgers". (You'll have to try them for yourself.)

I'm not in Sasebo, however where I am at Softbank is on base but the reception on base isn't too good, those that have them can be seen walking around looking for a signal, after talking to several people locally they suggested AU. We ended up using AU and it works great no complaints. I would recommend speaking with several people at your new base to get an idea if you will have issues like that. We pay about 50-60 a month for two generic cell phones, minutes are never an issue. They all seem to make you sign a two year never ending contract though.

We use Magic Jack, and Skype. Works great.

Thank you all for the replies!

Thai Guy-- We lived in a condo off base in "Alupang Cove" . Really enjoyed living off base, but my husband tells me he heard they just re-did on base housing and it's much nicer now. It's a beautiful country, would not have minded going back. The worst part is airfare if you plan on flying back stateside to see family while you are there. I haven't looked for Japan, its probably similarly expensive. There is a lot to do outdoors, local MWR program does a lot of activities. I can not say I was a fan of the local "Chamoro" food though. I have heard they have grown a lot since we left 4 years ago but they had a growing amount of American restaurants and a surprisingly good Mexican food place. Mall, movie theater, pretty much have it all. It's a small island though. I will head over to that forum later today.

Katherine2- Thanks for the advice! I don't like either so I will definitely take note of that!!


Another question, I keep hearing the base is in a very rural country-side. When you leave the base, is there nearby shopping/places to eat? Or is it a drive?

If you're on Main Base, the Ginza arcade is close, about a 1/2 mile walk. The better restaurants seem to be further out from there.
From Hario Village (the larger housing area), you will have to drive a bit to get to the shopping centers-about 10-15 minutes.
Most Cho's will be reasonably close to a supermarket, but this is definitely an area where you will need a car (although you should do fine with just one).

As for cell phones, we use Docomo. And we don't have any problems that everyone seems to complain about with Softbank here. With the commissary, you won't notice after awhile what we do not have. It's not the biggest selection, but we have everything you need. You'll get used to it. We just got Dr. Pepper 10 in stock. I was excited...until I tasted it. If you live on or near Main Base, you can walk to the Ginza and shop/eat there. It's maybe 10/15 min from the gate. Hario is a different story. You have to take the train from Huis Ten Bosch or you have to drive. I personally do not drive. I never found the time to get my license and it just doesn't seem like a big deal with my husband on shore duty. When we say small town, it's not like in the movies with Tokyo. More like Memoirs of a Geisha. And that's still not right.

I second the motion get a car. We have always only had one car so I figured that I would not need one here but even living on main base I feel the need for a car even if it is just to go get groceries. I have not done much venturing as I just got the car. We have been here since Feb. 10th. The commissary is ok. There are two commissaries one on the main base and one in Hario Housing. Hario commissary is similar to a smaller base commissary and the main base one is even smaller than that one. But I think it is survivable with out stocking up. You can buy Keurig coffees not a huge selection but enough to keep you going while you are waiting for an online order. The local groceries are awesome if you want to try them. We have just internet and are paying $80 but that is because we stream from hulu and I have teenagers who like to get online too. Cellphones are interesting. I just paid 258 but that is two Iphones and two reg phones. We use phonepower for calling home we paid 200 for two years (it is like vonage but cheaper). We also have a dsn line and I think we are paying 20 a month but I can not remember. We get limited tv for free. Feel free to ask more questions I know I did when I when we first got orders

When living on base housing do they have regular AFN channel through cable? How about off base housing? Do they use AFN decoder box to catch american channel? Do they have pre-paid cell phone services?

Yes to all of those last questions

We live in a house in a cho (neighborhood) and decided not to get an afn decoder box. We watch all of our shows through streaming on the internet and it's all free Once you get here you can get internet cable. You will see once you get here that it you will have a few choices. Most people have cell phones through softbank and are pretty happy with them as long as you read the contract very CAREFULLY! The people that do not get caught up with chargers and blame it on them.

thank you