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Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing InstructionsThe DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. USAG Japan area code is 315.
HistoryThe presence of the U.S. Army in Japan can be traced to the formation, in 1941, of Army Force Far East (AFFE) under the command of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. AFFE and its successor fought in many of the major campaigns in the Southwest Pacific, receiving two Distinguished Unit Citations and Two Philippine Presidential Unit Citations. In 1945, the command, which had been re-designated U.S. Armed Forces, Far East (USAFFE), participated in the occupation of Japan. With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea in June 1950, USAFFE became engaged in the logistical support of the U.S. Forces in Korea. In October 1953, USAFFE moved its headquarters to Camp Zama, Japan. In 1957, the U.S. Army Forces in the Pacific were completely reorganized. Many units including Armed Forces Far East/Eighth Army (REAR), as the command was then called, reorganized, renamed or inactivated. The reorganization created, on July 1, 1957, a new command, U.S. Army Japan (USARJ). USARJ was established as a major subordinate command in the newly formed U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC).
Mission
The United States Army Japan (USARJ) is the Army Component Command of United States Forces, Japan (USFJ). Stationed at Camp Zama, USARJ is a key element in upholding the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, the most important U.S. bilateral relationship in the region and the key to maintaining western Pacific regional stability. The 9th Theater Support Command (TSC), based out of Fort Belvoir, VA, is a multi-component unit with an active-duty element based on Camp Zama. United States Army Garrison Japan (USAG-J) executes Garrison operations to provide installation management, programs and services; enhance well-being of Soldiers, civilians and family members in support of mission readiness and execution. Several tenant units are also based at Camp Zama.
Population Served
Mainland Japan has roughly 4,000 soldiers, civilians, contractors and family members assigned to sites across the island of Honshu. Japanese Nationals comprise more than half of the work force.
The Camp Zama community is comprised of two main housing areas on mainland Japan: Camp Zama and Sagamihara Family Housing Area (SHA). Both are located in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo. There are also several satellite locations located in Yokohama, Kure, Tokyo and other areas. The military community comprises a very small percentage of the prefecture population. Japan, in general, is a high cost of living area, but one can save on purchases by shopping on base at the post exchange and commissary. The weather is similar to that of the United States' mid-Atlantic east coast. In less than two hours by train, one can be shopping in downtown Tokyo, picking up seashells at the beach in Enoshima or soaking in a hot springs in Hakone.
The Base Operator's phone number is +81-46-407-1110 or 011-81-46-407-1110
Population: Mainland Japan has roughly 4,000 soldiers, civilians, contractors and family members assigned to different areas, with slightly higher numbers of civilians and contractors than military. Japanese Nationals comprise over half of the work force.
Area Population: Tokyo: 12 million
Welcome to Japan! For those of you assigned duty at HQ United States Army, Japan, 17th ASG, or one of the other units/activities in the Camp Zama area, you will arrive in Japan at either the Tokyo Haneda International Airport (Haneda) or Tokyo Narita International Airport (Narita) or Yokota Air Base.
After your flight has arrived, you will be met by a MAC representative who will escort all passengers to the Inbound Customs and Immigration Area. There you will be given a general briefing concerning immigration and customs clearance procedures, instructions on how to complete the immigration and customs forms, and the location of the baggage pickup area.
After completion of immigration formalities, you will pick up your bags and go to the customs inspection area for inbound customs inspection. If any of your baggage is missing or damaged, you should file a claim with Lost and Found before you leave the baggage area. Your sponsor may meet you either at Yokota AB terminal or upon your arrival at Camp Zama. It is about a 90-minute drive from Yokota to Camp Zama.
After landing Haneda or Narita and upon completion of immigration, and customs, proceed toward the doors of the terminals NARITA_and_HANEDA_SHUTTLE_BUS_INFO.pdf (armymwr.com)
Buses to Camp Zama depart the short-term parking area at 6:30 pm. Buses are marked for Camp Zama, or other American military installations. The bus ride will take anywhere from two to four hours. You may be met by your sponsor either at Haneda, Narita or at Camp Zama. ttps://zama.armymwr.com/programs/outdoor-recreation/airport-shuttle-limo-services
In the event that no transportation arrangements have been made and there are no TMP vehicles in the airport vicinity, you will be given instructions on how to proceed to Camp Zama by the following methods:
You will see the ticket counter ahead of you slightly left once you get off the baggage claim. Purchase a ticket to Sagami Ono Station 1,600 yen, about $16). Take the escalator to first floor and go to bus stop #9.
NOTE:
First bus depart from Haneda Terminal 3 at 08:00 am and arrives Sagami Ono Station at 09:00 am. (Kanachu-Bus)
Last bus departure from Haneda Terminal 3 at 22:30 pm arriving at Sagami Ono Station at 23:40 pm. (Kanachu-Bus)
If you arrive at Narita, passenger arrival processing is as follows:
In the event you miss connections with your sponsor, please contact Camp Zama Staff Duty NCO at +011-81-90-3579-6967 (from an American line) / 090-3579-6967 (from a Japanese number) or, DSN 315-263-5302.
Airport Express Bus Service - Connects Narita Airport with most of the major hotels in Tokyo including the New Sanno Hotel. Travel time about 90 minutes; fares, about 2,700 yen, children under 12, 1,350 yen. You may purchase your ticket at the Airport Express Bus Service Counter in the airport arrival lobby.
Train - The Keisei Skyliner operates every 30 minutes from the Keisei Narita Airport Train Station, located behind the Airport Administrative Building, to the Keisei Ueno Train Station in downtown Tokyo. Skyliner service between the Station is approximately 1,560 yen including the surcharge.
Taxi - Taxi travel from Narita to downtown Tokyo is expensive and discouraged. Fares are approximately 16,000 yen including expressway charge, and travel time estimated at 2 hours. Taxi fare from Narita to Camp Zama is approximately 30,000 yen. You should expect the fare to be doubled to compensate for the empty return trip. For those on TDY to Camp Zama, the probability of reimbursement for taxi fares to either downtown Tokyo or Camp Zama is doubtful in view of the availability of less costly modes, i.e., bus or train.
Pets may be brought to Japan as excess baggage on AMC charter flights that land at Yokota AB or on commercial flights that land at Narita. Pets may also be shipped as commercial cargo to arrive to Narita. Shipment of pets must be at the owner's expense whether moving as excess baggage or commercial cargo. Excess baggage is usually the cheaper of the two. It is extremely important that required documentation is in order. The following procedures apply:
Note: Additional pet information can be obtained at the "Public Health Command District-Japan" website
Telephone Contacts:
Camp Zama does not have on-base taxi or shuttle services.
The primary mode of transportation between Camp Zama and the Sagamihara Family Housing Areas are train, personal vehicle or bicycle. Public transportation in Japan is clean, safe and efficient. Many personnel utilize the train systems daily.
School Bus Service -- New arrivals should be aware of the local school commuting and walking areas prior to obtaining housing. If housing is obtained outside the school bus commuting area, parents will be responsible for transporting their children between their residence and the school or an existing bus stop with the commuting areas. The gaining base housing referral and school bus offices have information on commuting areas and maps of the school bus routes.
Students requiring bus transportation must register with the DoDDS School Bus Office located at Camp Zama, Bldg 919, Room 508. Hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m, Monday - Friday, telephone 315-263-4151.
Airport shuttle bus schedule is as follows:
https://zama.armymwr.com/programs/outdoor-recreation/airport-shuttle-limo-services
There is no deviation from this schedule, so your sponsor should have a plan in place if the incoming personnel have an itinerary that does not fit this schedule.
The Narita airport shuttle bus pick-up point is in the rear parking lot located near terminal 1 (near the Big Clock Tower). To reach this area after leaving the immigration area, come out the door, turn left, cross the street at the first stop light and continue to the back of the parking lot. You will see all the military buses parked there. The bus for Camp Zama will have U.S. Army license plates). NARITA_and_HANEDA_SHUTTLE_BUS_INFO.pdf (armymwr.com). The bus ride to base can range from 3 to 5 hours (with a brief break). SUGGESTION: Bring snacks and a bottle of water for the ride. Also, depending on your arrival time at base, all eating facilities may be closed.
In the event you miss the last bus to Camp Zama, there are three options to choose. Here are the two options:
*A. Taxi -- Taxi from Narita Airport: Not recommended. The taxi fare from Narita to Camp Zama is approximately 30,000 yen (official rate) or approximately $250.00 one way. However, if you take a taxi from Narita expect the fare to be doubled to compensate for the empty return trip. Reimbursement will normally be based on train fare which is much less than the taxi fare.
*B. Train -- There is excellent passenger train service available, unless you are familiar with ticketing procedures and transfers, train travel can be quite difficult for the first time visitor to Japan. Further difficulties are met when trying to carry heavy suitcases up and down the flights of stairs encountered at the stations where transfers are made. In this regard, there is an overnight delivery baggage service at the airport. The cost to overnight your baggage to Camp Zama, ranger from 1,690 to 3,570 yen depending on baggage weight/delivery company. Use of trains, however, is discouraged unless you know your way or are accompanied by someone who does.
*C. Sagami-Ono -- Sagami-Ono is currently not operating Narita Airport Shuttle bus.
Additional Options
Airport Limo Service also available. Reservation and Information DSN: 263-3305 or 263-4671. Prices vary depending on pick up and destination points but ranges from $25 to $215 one way. Please submit requests two weeks prior to reservation date.
For airport pick-ups, driver will await passenger outside of customs with a sign bearing passenger's surname.