Be aware that the voltage difference will affect your clocks and some appliances. Linens are not available for check-out through the Lending Closet, so it is best to pack some or ship some in your unaccompanied or hold baggage. The Housing office can normally provide basic furniture for the duration of your time, but all items are subject to availability. Transportation of pets into Japan is a lengthy process. Please ensure you review and follow all pet transportation instructions.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The 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. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 315 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
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 001-81-46-407-2113.
Cost of Living: Japan, in general, is a high cost of living area.
Base Operator: 011-81-46-407-2113
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 New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) or Yokota Air Base.
Arrival at Yokota Air Base (About 25 miles from Camp Zama)
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.
After you leave the customs inspection area, you should check with the Army Air Traffic Coordinating Office (AATCO) for transportation to Camp Zama. The AATCO will either have transportation waiting or will arrange it for you. 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.
The AATCO personnel are at the MAC terminal to assist you. Please avail yourself of their services if you need help or have any questions.
Arrival at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) (About 75 miles from Camp Zama)
If you arrive at Narita, passenger arrival processing is as follows:
For PCS and TDY Travelers, destination Camp Zama:
After landing at Narita and upon completion of immigration, and customs, proceed through the South Wing lobby, toward the doors to the far right of the terminal (near Cafe Snow). Buses to Camp Zama depart the short term parking area at 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Buses are located out the doors, through short term parking to the back left area. 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 Narita or at Camp Zama. Click Here for additional information on the Narita Shuttle Bus.
In the event you miss connections with your sponsor, use one of the two U.S. Forces telephones located at the Northwest Arrival Counter. The Army telephone connects you with the New Sanno Hotel switchboard in downtown Tokyo. To use the Army telephone, lift the receiver, wait for the automatic dial system to function and state "This is an official call, please connect me to Camp Zama, 315-236-2772." The Air Force telephone also has an automatic dial feature and connects the Yokota AB operator. You may confirm vehicular arrangements with either the Air Passenger Coordinating Office (APCO) or the Transportation Motor Pool (TMP) (one or the other will answer your call). 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 one of the following methods:
Wait at the airport until a TMP vehicle can make a pickup. This may be necessary if a pet is to be transported. Travel time from the TMP to Narita should be from two to four hours.
For PCS and TDY travelers, destination Yokota AB
For Category Y Passengers only: Category Y passengers are entitled to free transportation from Narita to Yokota AB. Report to the arrival counter of the airline by which you traveled and request onward transportation to Yokota AB. If the airline representative is not responsive to your request, contact the MAC representative at the Northwest Airline arrival counter for assistance (Note: pets cannot be transported by Category Y bus). Passengers with pets may elect to travel to Yokota by MWR bus. See next paragraph.
Other than Category Y Passengers - Destination Yokota AB
To travel to Yokota by MWR bus - Report to the Northwest Airline arrival counter and contact the MAC representative for bus schedule, cost, and departure point.
To travel by limousine bus and taxi - Purchase tickets in the arrival lobby for limousine bus to the Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT). Travel time to TCAT is about 90 minutes. You will arrive at TCAT on the third level. Go to the first level for baggage pickup. You may then proceed by taxi to Yokota AB.
For all travelers, other ways to travel from Narita to Tokyo
Airport Limousine Bus to Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT): Travel time via the Limousine Bus to TCAT is about 90 minutes. You will arrive at TCAT on the third level. Your baggage will go by conveyor to the baggage claim area on the first level. Follow the sign down the escalators to the first level baggage claim area and claim your baggage.
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.
You must catch either a taxi or bus from the Passenger Terminal Building to the Keisei Narita Airport Train Station. Bus fare approximately 190 yen per person, taxi fare about 480 yen. Porter service is available at both the Keisei Narita Airport Train Station and the Keisei Ueno Train Station. Travel time is approximately 1 hour. From the Keisei Ueno Train Station, take a taxi to the New Sanno Hotel (4-12-20 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106). Taxi fare is approximately 3,000 yen, travel time about 30 minutes
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.
Yokota MWR Bus - Report to the Northwest Airlines arrival counter and contact the MAC representative for Yokota MWR bus schedule, cost, and departure point. The MWR bus goes to Yokota AB via the New Sanno Hotel in downtown Tokyo.
Passengers traveling with Pets
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:
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 8:00 am – 4:00 pm with an hour lunch around midday, Monday - Friday, Telephone 315-263-4151.
Airport Shuttle BusReservation and Information DSN: 315-263-4671
Site Transportation -- Camp Zama
Narita Airport shuttle bus schedule is as follows: https://zama.armymwr.com/application/files/1516/3218/5310/Appendix_A_-_Narita_Airport_Shuttle_Information.pdf
Haneda Airport shuttle bus schedule is as follows: https://zama.armymwr.com/application/files/3816/3218/6061/Appendix_B_-_Haneda_Airport_Shuttle_Information.pdf
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). 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 under GOJ COVID posture.
Additional Options
Airport Limo Service also available. Reservation and Information DSN: 263-3305 or 263-4671 or email rinako.kawaguchi.ln@army.mil for reservation request form to complete.
Limo services are available between Narita/Haneda/Yokota/Sagami-Ono and Zama/SHA/Depot/Yokota/Sagami-Ono. Prices vary depending on pick up and destination points but ranges from $25 to $215 one way.
Credit card payment must be made once reservation is confirmed. All cancellations/changes must be made at least 96 hours prior to the scheduled date and time to receive a full refund. 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.
Release 2023.08.17.1