A: Keeping organized is important while making the move to Japan. Download a comprehensive PCS checklist to help get you started!

A: Now! Japan has specific requirements when importing pets and starting the process as early as possible is important for a smooth transition. Go to the USDA Pet Travel to Japan webpage for information on what you need to do.

A: Register at www.move.mil to schedule your pack out. A copy of your orders will have to be submitted to the Personal Property Office for the pack out dates to be confirmed. To coordinate your household goods shipment, please contact a government personal property office (PPO) in your area. For assistance in locating a local PPO, you can use the www.move.mil website.

and when will I get reimbursed for reasonable accommodations, meals, etc.?

A: Most if not all transferees chose to receive Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) Advancement, payment of these funds will take at least two weeks after arrival. You should be prepared to pay out-of-pocket for accommodations, meals, etc. for costs up front for an initial period of time. The costs would be approximately $500-$2000 (depending on family size) of funds available to pay these expenses. All reasonable expenses are reimbursable. For more information please go to our Initial Expenses webpage.

A: Medical services on base are available on a space available bases. Go to our Medical care and Dental care pages for the Yokosuka Naval Hospital’s policies and for information on finding off base care.

A: Command onsite sponsor point of contact information is in your tentative job offer letter. If you haven’t already done so reach to your sponsor. If you are still unable to establish contact, call your HRO representative and let them know, they can reach out to the Command.

A: Your sponsor should be assisting you in making travel arrangements from the airport to base. Shuttle services are available if arriving at either Narita airport (several times daily), Yokota Airbase (not every day), and Fukuoka (Sasebo employees) airport. If arriving at Haneda or Nagasaki airports your sponsor will need to assist you with these arrangements.

More information on Shuttle bus reservations and information:

Narita to Yokosuka shuttle services

Yokota Airbase to Yokosuka shuttle services

Fukuoka to Sasebo shuttle services

A: Both Sasebo and Yokosuka have Navy Lodge and Navy Gateway Inns and Suites available but reservations are needed. If on base lodging are not available your sponsor will assist you in finding suitable off base accommodations, there are several within walking of the bases.

Please see our Where to Stay webpage for more information.

A: You may be given a choice to live on or off base. DoD Civilians make up 10% of the on base housing capacity. If the base is at that limit you will be living off base. The Housing Services Center offers bilingual interpreters to assist families, singles, and unaccompanied personnel in their house hunting efforts. When you apply for off base housing, you may look through the listings of approved rental housing at the Housing Services Center. Interpreters will schedule appointments for you, with the house agent, to visit any which interest you. The listings in the Housing Services Center are not exclusive; any American or Japanese family can reach agreement with the agent to rent the house prior to your seeing it. Unlike the US, housing rental companies do not share listing information.

For more information see:

Yokosuka Housing Services Center

Sasebo Housing Services Center

A: It is suggested that you have a conversation with your supervisor before you leave your CONUS command and Keep in Touch with them on a regular basis. There is a guide developed just for this purpose and setting up regular conversations with your home command is strongly recommended. The Keep In Touch guide will give you more information. Read more about your return on our Keep In Touch guide, Discussing Your Return and Return Rights Facts pages.