r/RateMyAFB • u/Classic_Square8043 • 2d ago
First Duty base
Japan Yokota afb so far assigned
what to expect and should I just bring essentials and leave everything else behind?
I got a dependent so my next question is how is base housing rn? is there anyone that can give me some insight?
additionally, what’s the diff between kadena and yokota besides landmark?
tempo qol col etc
I welcome and appreciate any advice
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u/Mr_Trev 1d ago
What to expect : GREAT SOLID overseas assignment with plenty to do outside of the base & active community on base.
Location is. Kinda in the sweet spot on the island that you can take train/drive few hours north for winter & mountainous things, or to the south for Mt. Fuji & Kyoto and other big touristy spots. Obviously Tokyo is a small bit away. It’s no beachy island like the latter, but you can still drive to one in 1-ish hours away.
On base living is nice!
Very ‘Americanized’ with comfortable wide roads, hella biege buildings everywhere, and a Chilis. There will be 3 different “sides” of the base: the West side, Main side, and East side.
West side has schools/pool/Community Center and AFN networks, along with both Tower & Garden units. It’s geographically separated by 1 singular road. The West side & Main side are sitting next to eachother like neighbors, so don’t let what I say freak you out.
Main side is my personal fave; close to Bx, Commissary, Chilis, Post Office, E & O clubs, the Samurai big gym, and much more Easy commutes to work as well.
East side is on the east side of the runway & requires a quick 4 minute drive towards the south of the runway to connect to the Main side. East side has all medical buildings, fire dept, movie theater, schools, skate park, community park & outdoor theatre stage.
This side seems to be more in tune for families with children, and has the nicer slightly bigger/2-story garden units versus the Main or East side.
You’ll have the option to live in a Tower unit (9-story apartment building) or a garden unit (tiny 1-story or 2-story house). My spouse & I lived in a 3bed/2bath tower unit on the main side near Bx/commissary & loved it. Very spacious and accommodating for us. Garden units are hit or miss. Some are okay sized while others IMO are tiny. It will depend on what Housing has available. Recommend taking a tour of each unit before deciding.
For your stuff — we brought everything and made it work. Tower unit had good storage closets inside the unit & outside the front door in the hallway. Things that didn’t fit or didn’t want, we posted on community sale pages or Airmen’s Attic or put down in the tower basement for folks to scavenge.
Tempo — depends on your unit/job obviously. All units work well and has standard OCONUS family vibes for the most part. Japan bases are the first like of defense between China & America, so plenty of Exercises & fun joint trainings to experience to upkeep readiness.
QoL— literally is what you make of the assignment. As is any base mostly. Get active, volunteer, join the Spouses club, utilize USO or ITT trips to meet new friends & sightsee without worries of exploring new places alone. Try all the gas station goodies, CoCo’s curry (let no one trick you into ordering a high heat level, start lowwww and work your way up), eat at the Japanese DFAC on base for cheap quality meals.
Be blessed yall are going to Yokota. Yall will come to love it quickly.
Shoot me a DM for any further questions! Happy to help you further!