Questions about Moving to Yokosuka Japan

[LovesASailor]

Hello,

We are about to join my husband in Yokosuka Japan with Command Sponsorship. I have a couple questions regarding the move. There is not much information provided to my husband as to how to get our stuff over there. Has anyone gone through an international move that would have any recommendations? Are there any particular company's that we should use? It is my understanding that in this case, we will be reimbursed for the move so initial expenses will come out of pocket.  Any recommendations on what to bring and what not to bring?

If anyone has PCS'd to Japan before I would love some insight or tips to make our move and stay there as successful as possible.

Thank you all for your help :)

[Anti M]

I was stationed in Japan for a long time.  More than once. 12 years total.  

First off, you do not pay movers and get reimbursed for an international move. That is over ten thousand dollars!   They do it all online now, which I do not have experience with.  Your husband should be able to call the Yokosuka Personal Property Office and have them guide him through the first steps.  Here are some links to get you started. 

http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f?p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4...

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/content/cnic/cnic_hq/regions/cnrj/install...

[LovesASailor]

Thank you!  

Yes, He totally said it would cost that much holy cow!

[Anti M]

Read everything you can find about living there.  Some of it online is old, be picky about dates of blogs and such.  You should get into base housing quickly, and it is small.  The Navy will store things for you, so if you have larger items, you will want to ask about that.  Right now, begin sorting, toss out, sell or donate anything you do not want or need.  Don't put it off, pack out jumps up at you fast.  The more organized you are (and your stuff), the faster they can get it packed.  

I lived off base, a different experience.

Do ask tons of questions, someone knows the answer somewhere. And I can tell you stories if you like!

[LovesASailor]

alright, I read through the pamphlet. We have not heard yet if we are going to have to live on base yet. Our goal is to live off base but you know how that goes. He still hasn't done the orientation for the off base housing, it looks to be about a month before we get housing secured.

I would love to hear your stories! Especially if you have any moving tips, we are so excited to get the opportunity to live in Japan

[Anti M]

Yeah, if there is base housing open, you have to take it now.  Well, last year that was true.  Bear in mind they change policies often.  

If you plan on living offbase, you will not want to bring your large appliances, large furniture like couches, dining sets, china cabinets, or even king size beds.  Apartments and houses are small.  I had a tiny, funky old house, heated with kerosene heaters, and we slept on a futon on the floor for nine years.  By choice.  The living room was tatami mats, which meant living on the floor a lot, very traditional.  Modern apartments are likely to have hardwood floors, so can take lighter "Western" furniture.  Many do not have dryer hookups or room for an American washer.  Our kitchen had room for a full size fridge, I had a used one from someone transferring, but many offbase places have much smaller ones.  The Japanese do more daily shopping than Americans.  I had a tiny, funny little washer I borrowed from base housing.  On tub washed, one side spun, then I hung my clothes out to dry.  I still own and use my hanging clothes racks for delicates.  Big items went on special clothes poles outside.

Living offbase, you will learn to deal with humidity in summer.  Not every place has AC, or if it does, electricity is wildly expensive.  Even though you get an offset for the utilities, you will find you may want to be conservative in electric use.  Depends on if you're billed by the landlord or directly to the electric company.  Oh, and they call them house owners and you rent through a house agent.  

Our neighbors loved us.  We made an effort to fit in, and were in a tiny isolated neighborhood on a hill.  We made sure we learned the three trash system, helped the old ladies, and gave gifts when we moved in.  You know how we do housewarming gifts?  They do it the other way around, when you move in, you give the closest neighbors a gift.  Donuts were popular, and when we got a new Japanese neighbor, she gave us all bottles of detergent.

I made pocket money teaching and tutoring English.  My "kids" were preschoolers, middle school, and sometimes the adults.  The little kids did really well, one of their teachers thought one girl had been in the US!