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Relocating to Okinawa can be expensive. The largest expenses in relocating to Okinawa are setting up a household and purchasing an automobile. If on-base housing is not initially available, the cost of securing off installation housing could be between $5,000 and $14,000 to cover initial fees, such as first and last month's rent and security deposit and agency fee which is typically equal to one month's rent. Some of the costs are reimbursed with relocation entitlements.
Purchasing a reasonably priced used car will usually cost between $3,000 to $8,000. It is suggested to have 3 to 6 months salary saved for relocation.
Be aware that the Yen rate can fluctuate.
Documentation is most important to have in order when arriving to Okinawa. Documentation you will need to have on hand when you arrive includes: must have your permanent change of station orders, passports and visas, as well as shot records for yourself and all Family members accompanying you. Contact your current command immediately to obtain assistance in acquiring these items.
In addition to passports and visas, some other important documents which may aid in a smooth transition to Okinawa include:
Be sure you and your family are properly immunized and have the documentation. This is especially important for your children, since they will need their immunization records to enroll in any of the schools on base.
As a military member, you are not required to carry a passport for travel into Okinawa, but you may wish to purchase one at your own expense for leave travel. Your Family members must have their own valid no-fee passport.
If a dependent is command-sponsored, no visa is necessary unless they are a Third Country National. Visas and passports cannot be obtained upon arrival. Deportation will be immediate if attempting to enter without a passport. Some surrounding countries require a tourist passport for military service members traveling on ordinary leave. For a list of those countries, contact the Passport Office.
When you receive notification of your assignment to Okinawa, and your area clearance for your dependents, you should report to your administrative section and obtain a dependent's passport application and photo request. A valid no-fee passport is required even when traveling by commercial air. These requirements are subject to change, so check with your admin office.
If you have a Family member that is a Japanese Passport holder please note when flying commercially into Japan, customs and immigration will be separate lines within the same commercial terminal. However, if you are arriving on an AMC flight, via Kadena Air Base, Family members with Japanese passports cannot be processed at the Air Base Terminal. Japanese law stipulates Japanese citizens must be processed at the Government of Japan office. American customs officials are not permitted to process Japanese citizens.
Additionally, U.S. Customs Officials are not authorized to stamp passports of Family members on EML Orders traveling without their sponsors, who are not stationed in Japan. An example would be a spouse traveling from Korea to Guam, with a stop in Okinawa. Retirees, traveling to Okinawa Space "A" on their ID cards, must also be processed at the Government of Japan office.
In an effort to accommodate these individuals, Air Force Customs Officials provide round trip transportation to and from the Government of Japan office. It is approximately a four minute ride by car.
Once you have collected all the necessary paperwork, you will be given a flight or port call date. This will either be an Air Mobility Command flight originating from Los Angeles or it will be a commercial flight. In any case, it is important that you notify your gaining command and your sponsor of this date, time, and flight number. Without this information, no one will be there to meet you and your family on arrival.
Pet owners should contact their sponsor for more information and visit the Karing Kennels website under PCS information. Be sure to check with the air carrier you will be flying with for additional information on importing pets into Japan.
Important Reporting Instructions
Okinawa Japan (Locations include Torii Station, Kadena Air Base, Ft. Buckner, MCB Foster, Naha Port):
The United States Army in Okinawa has responsibilities that are critical functions for all U.S. services on Okinawa. Theses major functions include receiving and distributing cargo, distributing the island's military fuel supply and port operations. The 10th Support Group serves as the senior command for all Army organizations in Okinawa and provides contingency support to deployed/employed forces in the Pacific.
Torii Station is located by the Hijagawa River in Yomitan which was the site of the initial landing of the Allied Forces in the Battle of Okinawa. May of 1972 the United States Army Base Command, Okinawa was established as a Major subordinate command of U.S. Army Japan. This command was later reorganized as U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa. In October 1978 it was reorganized as U.S. Army Support Activity and in September1979 it was changed back to U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa. In February 1986, the command was re-designated as 10th Area Support Group. Torii Station served as the Installation Command for all Army organizations on Okinawa and provided contingency support to deployed and employed forces in the Pacific Rim until June 2002. By Permanent Order 203-008, dated 1 October 2003, the installation support mission became the responsibility of Installation Management Command’s U.S. Army Garrison Japan, Torii Station. On 11 July 2011, U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa was activated and officially recognized by Headquarters, Dept. of Army, as Battalion CSL billet. On 31 Jan 2014, it was re-designated to U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa (USAG-O).
USAG Okinawa has an approximate population of 5,000, This number includes Soldiers, Family Members, Civilians, and Contractors. Not all personnel are located on Torii Station. The USAG Okinawa population is dispersed throughout the island at Kadena Air Base, Naha Port, and other bases located on Okinawa. There is no family housing on Torii Station.
Yomitan has an estimated population of 40,000 people with a population density of 1,200 per km2. The total area of Yomitan is 35.17 square kilometers (13.58 sq mi). Torii Station is also close to Kadena Air Base, which has a robust population. The island of Okinawa has an approximate population of 2.5 million people.
Services are available to Soldiers, DOW personnel, civilians, and Family members (Status of Forces Agreement Status). The Army is the smallest branch of military services on Okinawa. Despite being small in comparison to the other military branches personnel, and with services spread throughout the island, the Army provides integral mission requirements for all the military branches. Torii Station is the primary Army installation with 10th Area Support Group and 1-1 Special Forces Group located on the installation. The 78th Signal Battalion is located approximately 14km south of Torii on Fort Buckner adjacent to USMC Camp Foster. The 505th Quartermaster Battalion is located approximately 8km from Torii outside Gate 3 of Kadena Air Base. The 835th Transportation Battalion is located in the southern part of the island close to Naha Military Port, Naha International Airport, and USMC Camp Kinser. The Air Force and Marine Corps provide support services for the Army community that are not offered at Torii Station.
Torii Station is located in Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Torii Station is named for the Torii, or Japanese Shinto gate, which is located at the main gate entrance of Torii Station. Army Community Service Information and Referral Program is a helpful initiation point for Army information regarding Okinawa. Army Community Service is located in building 251 or can be reached via telephone at DSN 315-652-4357.
Naha International Airport or Naha Domestic Airport
Upon your arrival in Okinawa, your sponsor should meet you at Kadena Air Mobility Command terminal or Naha International Airport. If you arrive through Naha International Airport or Naha Domestic Airport upon exiting the baggage area you will clear Customs and Immigration. At the International Airport, if your sponsor is not there, look back at the double doors near customs, there is a red sign to the left saying, “Welcome to Okinawa U.S. Military Phone.” The phone is there specifically for military members, and it is free of charge. There is a list of telephone numbers with dialing instructions taped on the counter near the phone. Locate your unit’s number and dial it for assistance.
If you arrived via the domestic airport, ask for assistance at the information desk regarding use of the pay phone. From here dial 911-5111 to get a base dial tone, and then dial the DSN number you wish to call. You may also be able to secure a ride with Marine Corps or Air Force personnel who pick up staff from both airports daily. Take note of the uniformed service members in the arrival terminal area. They can at least get you onto one of the military installations where you can call your unit's staff duty office for more assistance, 011-81-611-744-4708, DSN 315-652-4708.
If you are able to catch a taxi to Torii Station. Please ensure that you go to the end of the taxi line and select a taxi that states “ON BASE.” These taxis are able to go through the gate guards to take you on post. The taxi fare can cost anywhere from 6000 to 10000 Yen. Most will take credit cards but you may want to exchange currency to Yen prior to obtaining taxi service. Make sure you get a receipt for reimbursement.
Arrival through Kadena Air Base
Arriving through Kadena Air Base on an AMC flight, you should be linked to your sponsor upon exiting the customs area. If your sponsor isn't there, one of the AMC greeters can assist you in making contact with your unit.
No installation transportation is available on Torii Station. There is bus transportation available on all Marine Corp bases. The bus transportation is referred to as The Green Line. There are also various taxi services on all installations. Taxi service is available to and from Torii station however, you must call them and they are not all are authorized on base.