Yokota Air Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Fussa, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
Installation Type: Air Base
Status: Active

Overview

Yokota Air Base is located in Fussa, on the western outskirts of the Tokyo metropolitan area, approximately 40 kilometers west of central Tokyo. Home of the 374th Airlift Wing and headquarters of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) 5th Air Force, Yokota is the primary U.S. Air Force installation in Japan and serves as the air gateway to the region. Operating the C-130J Super Hercules and C-12J Huron, Yokota provides intra-theater airlift throughout the Pacific. As the gateway to Japan, Yokota processes thousands of military travelers annually and coordinates military air traffic in the Tokyo Flight Information Region (FIR). The base is operated jointly with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide intra-theater airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and air terminal services throughout the Pacific; serve as headquarters for U.S. Air Forces Japan (USAFJ) and 5th Air Force; coordinate U.S.-Japan bilateral air defense and operations.
Major Units: 374th Airlift Wing (host wing, C-130J Super Hercules, C-12J Huron); 5th Air Force (PACAF component, USAFJ) headquarters; 374th Operations Group; 374th Medical Group; 730th Air Mobility Squadron (air terminal)
Tenant Units: JASDF Western Air Defense Force headquarters (joint tenant); Special Operations Command Pacific elements; Army Garrison Japan (Camp Zama command relationships); various intelligence and space community organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Fussa City (population approximately 60,000) immediately adjacent; central Tokyo – approximately 40 km east; Tachikawa – approximately 10 km east; Yokohama – approximately 60 km southeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) – approximately 85 km northeast; Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) – approximately 50 km east; both are world-class international hubs
Gate Access: Main gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; joint base with JASDF requires coordinated access; vehicle sticker required for base access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500
Family Members: Approximately 5,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 11,000

Key Facilities

Medical: 374th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; aeromedical evacuation hub for the Pacific; specialty referrals to Japanese national hospitals (world-class care available in Tokyo metro) or medevac to CONUS; Tokyo National Medical Center and major university hospitals accessible
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; large and well-stocked given Tokyo metro access to all goods
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities; large exchange serving the entire Kanto Plains military community
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf course (Taiyo Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; Tokyo metro provides world-class entertainment, culture, food, and recreation; Disneyland Tokyo (50 km); Mount Fuji (80 km); Japanese hot springs (onsen) throughout Kanto and beyond
Schools: DoDEA Yokota East and Yokota West Elementary Schools; Yokota Middle School; Yokota High School – all on base; DoDEA schools serve military children; Yokota High School has excellent academic and extracurricular programs; the Tokyo location makes for exceptional field trip and cultural opportunities
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; Japan pet import requirements are among the most complex in the world – begin 180-day process well before PCS
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 374th AW; appointment-based; SOFA legal matters through JAG

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is preferred given Tokyo real estate costs
Average Wait Time: 30-90 days typical for on-base housing; economy housing in Japanese communities is available but at high cost
Off-Post Housing: Fussa, Tachikawa, and Tokyo western suburbs offer off-post housing; OHA applies; Tokyo housing is expensive; Japanese housing significantly smaller than American standards; monthly OHA may not fully cover high Tokyo-area rents in larger units; housing office assists
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Yokota OHA reflects Tokyo metropolitan area costs (one of the world’s most expensive rental markets)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 374th AW sponsorship program; Japan PCS requires advance preparation for pets, vehicles, and family members; Tokyo assignment is unique in USAF
In-Processing: 374th Wing in-processing; typically 3-5 days; SOFA briefings; vehicle registration; ration card; DoDEA school enrollment; medical enrollment
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening mandatory before Japan orders; Yokota’s Tokyo metro location provides exceptional specialist access; Tokyo has some of the world’s best medical facilities; EFMP approval more accessible than for remote Japan bases

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical/humid continental; hot humid summers (average high 88F/31C in August); cool winters with occasional snow (average low 27F/-3C in January); rainy season (Tsuyu) in June; typhoon season July-October; spring cherry blossoms (late March-April) are spectacular
Cost of Living: High; Tokyo metro is one of the world’s most expensive cities; OHA and COLA adjustments help; on-base living significantly reduces costs; Japanese yen-dollar exchange rate affects purchasing power; on-base commissary and exchange critical for managing costs
Nearby Attractions: Central Tokyo (40 km) – one of the world’s most dynamic cities with world-class food, culture, technology, and entertainment; Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Harajuku, Asakusa; Mount Fuji (80 km) and Fuji Five Lakes; Hakone hot springs and ryokan (traditional inn) retreat (100 km); Nikko Toshogu Shrine (UNESCO, 130 km); Kamakura Great Buddha (80 km); Disneyland Tokyo (50 km); bullet train (Shinkansen) access to Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima; skiing at Naeba or Hakuba (2-3 hours); Japan is arguably the greatest living-and-travel destination of any OCONUS military assignment
Spouse Employment: On-base employment through NAF, AAFES, commissary, DoDEA, 374th Medical Group, and contractor positions; off-base employment requires Japanese work authorization; English teaching is popular; remote work common; A&FRC assists; Tokyo metro has an international community with English-language employment opportunities

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) governs U.S. personnel; covers legal jurisdiction, criminal proceedings, customs, vehicle registration, and key USFJ policies; Japan SOFA is among the most detailed bilateral defense agreements in the world
Host Nation Rules: Japanese laws apply off-base; strict rules on noise, recycling (waste separation varies by municipality), and conduct; public intoxication and disorderly conduct are serious offenses; Japanese cultural norms value group harmony, cleanliness, and respect for others; conduct reflecting poorly on U.S.-Japan relations is taken very seriously by USFJ
Curfew: USFJ curfew: midnight to 0500 for all USFJ personnel; strictly enforced; violations subject to disciplinary action; local curfew policies in Okinawa (Kadena/Torii) historically stricter following incidents; Tokyo area (Yokota) has seen some USFJ relaxation but curfew remains in effect
Ration Card / Customs: Ration card system for tax-free purchases; limits on alcohol and tobacco; gasoline coupons may be available; customs declaration required when departing Japan; Japanese customs strictly controls cultural artifacts, agricultural products, and medications (many common U.S. medications require special import permission)
Vehicle Registration: SOFA vehicles registered through USFJ (JA plates); Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) required; Japanese driver’s license or USFJ SOFA license required; left-side traffic (opposite of U.S.) – requires adjustment; mandatory base driver’s training; JCI inspection at set intervals
Language and Culture: Japanese is the official language; some English spoken in Tokyo metropolitan area near tourist areas; Yokota area locals have historical familiarity with U.S. military; learning Japanese is enormously beneficial and appreciated; Japanese culture values group harmony, indirect communication, cleanliness, precision, and respect; many unique social customs (bowing, card exchange, shoes off indoors, gift-giving protocols)
Currency and Banking: Japanese Yen (JPY); on-base banking available; Tokyo ATMs widely available; cashless payments increasing; many smaller establishments still cash-only; Japan is relatively safe for cash handling
Travel Restrictions: Freedom of movement throughout Japan; some military-restricted areas require special access; no restrictions on domestic travel; international travel requires valid passport; Southeast Asia, Korea, and Pacific destinations easily accessible from Tokyo airports; USFJ travel notification policies may apply for some countries
Mail: APO AP address assigned; APO mail through military postal system; customs declaration required for packages from U.S.; many U.S. online retailers ship to APO AP addresses; Japan Post available for local Japanese mail
Pets: Among the world’s most complex pet import requirements; ISO microchip required first; two rabies vaccinations in sequence; rabies antibody titer test (FAVN) from approved laboratory must meet 0.5 IU/mL; 180-day waiting period after successful titer test before arrival in Japan; USDA-endorsed health certificate required; import notification to Quarantine Station required before arrival; if timeline not met, quarantine of up to 180 days in Japan required at owner’s expense; dogs and cats only (birds, ferrets, etc. have separate and complex rules); begin process MINIMUM 180 days before departure – 12 months recommended

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.yokota.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/yokota-air-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YokotaAirBase; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law