As discussed in Financial Assistance section, moving into Non-Government Housing can be costly, planning and budgeting ahead of time is key when deciding to move on the Japanese Community. Any reassignment to an overseas duty station can be expensive, but with initial housing expenses ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 Yokosuka is near the top of the list. Military personnel can request ADVANCED HOUSING ALLOWANCE through their command. ADVANCED HOUSING ALLOWANCE is authorized to cover the entire move-in cost, which may include:

    first month's rent
    security deposit
    agent fee (fixed, one-time, non-refundable charge)
    owner's bonus (fixed, one-time, non-refundable charge)

There are many agents ready to assist you in finding a home within your price range, whether you're an E9 with four family members a single E5. The Housing Office has books of houses/units available along with their agents. The agents can negotiate with the owners of units you're interested in to meet your need and acceptable price range. There are many homes available but keep in mind this is Japan, many places are western style but it's not America. Some of the most common complaints are: lack of closets or storage (an average 2 bedroom apartment is about 850 square feet); small rooms; virtually no yard space; closeness to neighboring units; lack of insulation causes difficulties in heating/cooling; proclivity to mildew; and lack of parking. These complaints are often heard, but many houses suffer from either none or just a few of these perceived problems.  It may take you some time to find exactly what you are looking for, sometimes you may have to compromise on your ideal home. Looking for a house ahead of time is tricking because most of the rental information is writing in Kanji (Japanese) and very difficult to read. The Housing Office is aware of this and is more than willing to lead the way.

Electrical power in Japanese off-base residences is only 30-50 amps at 100 volts/50 cycles. On-base quarters are also provided with 100-volt/50-cycle power, and the load is also about 30-50 amps, depending on the type of housing unit. On-base quarters do have 220-volt outlets to accommodate standard American-style clothes dryers and electric ranges. Do not plan on finding Japanese quarters that will have space for a dryer, or provide a 220-volt outlet. Likewise, space restrictions preclude the installation of an American-style washing machine or a large refrigerator or deep freezer in a Japanese house. The odds of finding a place with enough space are significantly less than 1 in 100.

Most U.S. appliances and other electrical equipments usually list a requirement for 110-120 volts/60 cycles. The difference in the locally available electrical current does not prohibit the use of many items, but anything with a timer or clock (washer, convection oven, microwave, clocks, etc.) will lose 10 seconds each minute (10 minutes per hour) and therefore will not operate properly.

Appliances or tools with motors, such as a vacuum cleaner or blender, will operate at a slower speed, due to the 50-cycle power frequency, but will still function adequately. Use of a transformer can help to increase voltage from 100 to 110-120 volts, but IT WILL NOT boost the frequency to 60 cycles.

Many electrical appliances or home electronic devices sold in the United States are equipped with a standard 3-prong plug. Outlets for these types of plugs are almost never found in Japanese homes. 3-to-2 prong plug adaptors may be a handy item to bring with you, so you can use most of your appliances as soon as you find suitable quarters. These plug adaptors are also available on base.

Japanese homes cannot accommodate an American-style electric range. There is neither space nor an adequate electrical supply to support this appliance. On-base quarters are supplied with full size electric ranges and ovens. Off base homes usually have a 2 or 3 burner gas range.

The GOOD NEWS is that CFAY Housing (Self-Help) can provide you with Japanese appliances for your off-base rental quarters, if they have not already been installed by the house owner/landlord. If you are reading this information on a paper printout: do you have Internet access, or do you know someone who does? The Yokosuka CFAY Welcome Center has an extensive Internet Site which offers the latest, regularly updated information about housing in the Yokosuka area. It includes details on how to care for a Japanese home (they're quite different from stateside homes.) The (periodical) Housing Newsletter is also posted on their website.

Yokosuka has no Public Private Venture (PPV) or mobile homes available but housing does offer the Rental Partnership Program (RPP).  RPP is designed to help military and DoD civilian personnel and their families find affordable, secure, quality off-base rental property.  The program is available to anyone entitled to the CFAY housing referral service, which includes a wide variety of Department of Defense personnel and their families.  Units meet all CFAY off-base housing acceptability criteria, including hot and cold running water, screens on all windows, sufficient electricity, parking and proximity to Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka.  If you are interested in RPP please contact the CFAY Housing Welcome Center.

Please contact the CFAY Housing Welcome for your housing questions and needs at DSN 315-243-4663 or internationally at 011-81-816-4663.

Japan has specific laws regarding SOFA sponsored service members purchasing real estate in Japan.  Please contact NLSO for more information DSN 315-243-5141, internationally at 011-81-816-5141 or online.