My dad was recently in Yokosuka so I decided to take my two children with me on the shinkansen to visit him. Although children 3 and under ride free, I decided to purchase a reserved train ticket (half the adult price) for my son because I didn’t want to have a toddler and infant sitting on my lap for 3.5 hours. In hindsight, I’m glad my son had a reserved seat because the ride to Tokyo was crowded. However, I wish I could have had a partial refund because our car was practically empty upon our return to Misawa and we enjoyed sprawling comfortably over three seats.
When we arrived in Tokyo, I strapped my daughter to my chest, placed my son in the stroller, and maneuvered (with luggage in tow) through crowds in Tokyo station, on the trains, and walked a mile to Yokosuka Naval Base. I had plans to take my children to Nogeyama Zoo and Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, but the unbearable heat and humidity just did ME in. Besides, I could not subject them to all those long train rides again, so we just hung out in my dad’s air-conditioned hotel room and went shopping at the exchange.
It is FREE to mail items from one military base to another in the same region. Simply write MPS where the postage would normally go. It took about 2 day for my things to arrive in Misawa.
Yokosuka is a fairly large base. Take advantage of the free shuttle bus. There are also base taxis to drive you around and they charge about US$7 to most places on base.
Traveling without your sponsor
- Be patient when you travel to other bases because not all personnel work in the same manner across different branches. Likewise, not all computers are interfaced between installations, so you have to register with DBIDs, give your info, and may have to provide proper documentation.
- Always have a copy of your sponsor’s orders, work unit, and DSN.
- If you have children, bring their military ids (or government passports if they don’t have ids) and TriCare cards in case of an emergency.
- Know both your APO/AP mailing address and off-base physical address if you have one.
Getting to Yokosuka Naval Base from Tokyo JR Station
I’ve taken both methods and I prefer Method B.
Method A: JR Train Yokosuka/Sobu Rapid (Blue) Line
At Tokyo JR Station, follow the signs to the Yokosuka/Sobu Rapid (Blue) Line to the 5th floor of the basement. Platforms 1, 2, 3, or 4 will take you to Yokosuka JR Station. Make sure you read the platform signs or you will go to Narita.
PROs: Taking the Yokosuka Line is good for people who are weary of switching train companies and lines because it does not involve any changing. Once you find your seat, you can rest comfortably for about 90 minutes. Recorded announcements are made in both Japanese and English. In addition, there is a train from Narita Airport that will take you all the way to Yokosuka Naval Base (no switching involved).
CONs: One must descend several flights of stairs and elevators are remotely located. There are at least 15 stops on this line. The Yokosuka JR Train Station is almost one mile away from the base and you’ll eventually pass Keikyu Shiori station on your way to the base. Other than the bay, there’s not much else along this route. Opt to take a taxi from Yokosuka JR station if weather is unfavorable, you have a lot of luggage, or are traveling with small children.
Method B: Tokyo JR Train Yamanote (Green) Line & Shinagawa Keikyu Line
1. At Tokyo JR Station, take the JR Yamanote Line on platform 5 toward Shinagawa Station. It costs about ¥160, stops 5 times, and is almost 12 minutes of travel.
2. At Shinagawa Station, board the train and transfer to the Keikyu Line. Make sure to board a train bound for Misakiguichi or Yokohama. There’s no need to leave the station. Inside the station, you’ll need to adjust your fair at the vending machine or teller and pay ¥620 for a rapid train to Yokosuka-chuo or Shiori Station.
3. Take the East Exit at Yokosuka-chuo
PROs: The JR Yamanote Line is in the main area and you won’t have to walk far. From Shinagawa, if you get on the green limited express, Yokosuka-chuo is only 7 stops away; and on the red limited express, Yokosuka-chuo is 12 stops and Shiori is 11 stops. Keikyu Yokosuka-chuo station is in the heart of Yokosuka. One can get easily amused by the different restaurants. Keikyu Yokosuka-chuo is also close to Womble Gate and the Main Gate. Keikyu Shiori station is close to the Main Gate and there are some convenient stores along the way. Both stations are about 10 minutes walking distance from the gate.
CONs: If one is not comfortable switching train companies or train lines, this is not for you. Recorded announcements are spoken only in Japanese.
