Does anyone know anything about Atsugi? Looks like this might be where we are going (finding out 2/5), but very curious? If you know about Atsugi...do you have kids? How did you pack? Did you live on base or off? Why? Did you take your car? Too many questions, but just looking for some information. Thanks!:nutts

Atsugi is a pretty good base. It's right near Camp Zama which is an army base and about an hour or so from Yokosuka the *big* Navy base.
We were in Yokosuka, my very good friend was in Atsugi. She lived off base for 9 months I believe, I lived off base 8 months. It really depends on the housing and your husband's rank. If he say an E7 you most likely will not have to live off base if you don't want to, it just depends but I would say be prepared to live off base.
We did NOT take our cars over to Japan but sold them and bought one when we got there and I am so glad we did it that way. They drive on the other side of the road and the road is smaller over there. We had a friend that brought their SUV and they could not even drive it most places.
We moved to Japan when I was 6 months preggo with my first and had another baby there.
We put a good amount of stuff in storage and I was also glad we did.
Be prepared to be lfexible, it takes about 6 months or so to really get the routine of it all down, but it is a lot of fun! Feel free to pm me with any questions! ;)

It's really discouraged to bring your car. The Japanese laws are so strict when it comes to vehicles that it would cost you a good deal of money to have everything switched and brought up to code.

You can get a decent car for about $2000-3000. What you're looking for is as much JCI (Japanese Compulsary Insurance) as you can get. The maximum is 2 years. Also, I suggest making sure the Air Conditioning works. It's hot as hell and the humidity is a bitch. (I come from Chicago where there's 100% humidity during the summer and this place still kicks my tush.)

Just remember that when you live off base you:

A) Won't have a full sized oven. At best, you'll have a large toaster oven on the counter.

B) Won't have a dishwasher, you can buy one about the size of a microwave and put it on the counter.

C) Won't have a garbage disposal, instead you get this disgusting little wire mesh basket thing that you scoop out.

D) Instead of seperating trash in 4 categories, out in town you will seperate in 7.

E) You won't have a dryer. You'll have a washing machine/dryer. So most of laundry will be air dried, or it takes approximately 3 hours to wash and dry in the machine and your clothes come out crumpled.


Atsugi/Camp Zama/Yokosuka are all super nice. I'm very jealous. We live in a little ghetto, butt crack area with a crap base and nasty people. :grumpy

C) Won't have a garbage disposal, instead you get this disgusting little wire mesh basket thing that you scoop out.


Hey Britt, you know you can get little disposable mesh bags to line the basket with don't you?

:sick I didn't know that. I was just referring to what my friend has out in town. I'll have to tell her about it. Right now she makes her husband clean it! :giggle And he's a 14 year Major in the Marine Corps! :lmao

:sick I didn't know that. I was just referring to what my friend has out in town. I'll have to tell her about it. Right now she makes her husband clean it! :giggle And he's a 14 year Major in the Marine Corps! :lmao

ewwww! :pukey :lol I used to get them from the local conbini but I'm pretty sure the nex sells them too.

See, there's our problem.

The Nex is run by wonderful, thoughtful people who purchase only useful items that people need.

The MCX is run by horrible, selfish people who purchase utter garbage and mark it up 30%.

I can't even buy toy mice for my cats on this base.

Scratch that.

I can't even buy kitty litter on this base. Half the time it's sold out and only the commissary carries it. Neither of the convenience stores do.

Oooooooohhhhhhhhh I hate this place with every fiber of my little black soul.

Amy is a friend of mine! Give her good advice ladies :)

Thanks Michelle! Thanks ladies for the information. We did find out that our orders are to Sasebo rather than Atsugi...I assume most of the basic information is the same, but any new advice? Thanks so much!!

Sasebo is teeny, tiny. But so cute! :)