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Dining in Japan

Many familiar American comfort foods can be enjoyed while on base in Yokosuka. Enjoy places like Chili’s, Sbarro, Subway, Popeyes Chicken and more. You also have the option of dining at the Officer’s Club, Chief Petty Officer’s Club or Club Alliance, plus a few other places. For the complete list, click on the link below:

Like Yokosuka, Sasebo has many of your American comfort foods including Chili’s, Taco Bell, Subway and Anthony’s Pizza. Another fine option is the Harbor View Club. Click below for more information:

Many restaurants in Japan display plastic or wax replicas of their dishes in a window near their entrance. These replicas serve both to entice and inform patrons of the restaurant's menu and tend to offer an accurate, visual description of the style and price of meals found inside. The displays are especially helpful for foreign tourists who do not read and speak Japanese. For if all other forms of communication fail, you can go outside and point to what you want to order.

Upon entering a restaurant, customers are greeted with the expression "irasshaimase" meaning "welcome, please come in". The waiter or waitress will ask you how many people are in your party and then lead you to your table. Only in rare cases, are customers expected to seat themselves.

While a majority of restaurants in Japan provide Western style tables and chairs, low traditional tables where you sit on pillows on the floor are also common and referred to as zashiki. Many restaurants feature both, and you may be asked which you prefer. In case of zashiki style seating, you should remove your shoes at the entrance to the restaurant or before stepping onto the seating area.

Smoking is permitted in many restaurants in Japan. Some restaurants provide both smoking (kitsuen) and non-smoking (kinen) sections, while others are fully smoking or non-smoking. If there is a choice, the waitress will ask you about your preference before seating you.