5 Japan Destinations You Can Visit: Military Lodging in Japan
by Stephanie Montague - May 3rd, 2022
If you’ve never been to Japan, you’re in for a treat – and maybe a little bit of culture shock. Everything about Japan is drastically different from the United States, from the customs to the food, to the style of lodging. Getting the full Japanese experience is fun, but if you prefer having a few comforts of home when you travel, here are five destinations where you can find military lodging in Japan.
5 destinations with military lodging in Japan
Traveling through Japan is the adventure of a lifetime. Staying in a military hotel in Japan can not only reduce your culture shock, but also reduce your overall costs. There are plenty of U.S. military installations throughout Japan, giving you plenty of options for your travels.
1. Fuji
What to see and do:
Mt. Fuji is Japan’s most famous mountain. To , you must visit during the short climbing season, which lasts from mid-July to early September. In other months, you can enjoy seeing the beautiful snow-capped mountain while exploring the nearby Fuji Five Lakes and visiting the Chureito Pagoda, a 5-story pagoda with excellent views of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area. You can also taste Japanese Sake made with Mt. Fuji spring water at Ide shuzo Sake brewery or relax at one of the many onsens (hot springs).
Where to stay:
For easy access to Mt. Fuji, spend a few days at Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji. It’s a small base in a very tranquil area about 2 hours southwest of Tokyo. The Mountain View Inn accepts Space-A reservations up to 60 days in advance.
How to get there:
The Camp Fuji Trips & Recreation office web page has directions from various U.S. military bases as well as links to the Tokyo airport shuttle schedules. Pro tip: contact the Trips & Recreation office directly to find out if they have any scheduled day trips to Tokyo. You may be able to hop on one of their shuttles on its way back to Camp Fuji.
2. Okinawa
What to see and do:
Okinawa has something for everyone, whether you’re traveling as a family, a couple, or solo. With its subtropical climate and gorgeous beaches, Okinawa is a major destination for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and boating. You can find beautiful waterfall hikes, ancient castle ruins, and sacred shrines. The kids will love Okinawa’s famous Churaumi Aquarium and Ocean Expo park, while war history enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Peace Memorial Museum. For hundreds of other ideas, visit Okinawa Hai, a website created by members of the U.S. military community.
Where to stay:
The U.S. military has more than a dozen installations in Okinawa, and most of them are clustered in the central part of the island. Kadena Air Base is the largest, and it’s where you will land if you fly Space-A. The two military lodging facilities on Kadena Air Base are the Shogun Inn and the Navy Gateway Inns & Suites.
You can also find lodging on other nearby bases. There are plenty of options for military lodging in Okinawa.
Read more tips about flying Space A or packing for a Space A flight in our article here.
How to get there:
Fly Space-A into Kadena Air Base or fly commercial into Naha, the capital of Okinawa. Peach Airways offers very inexpensive fares to Naha from mainland Japan.
3. Tokyo
What to see and do:
We’re talking about Tokyo, so take your pick! Whether you want to shop, visit temples and shrines, enjoy Roppongi nightlife, experience the famous Tsukiji fish market, or eat your way through the city, you definitely won’t be bored in Tokyo!
Where to stay:
When visiting Tokyo, you couldn’t find a nicer military hotel in Japan for a better value than the New Sanno. It’s easily the equivalent of a Hilton or Marriott in terms of luxury, but you can get a room for the whole family for less than $100 per night. The New Sanno is located in a prime area of Tokyo, within a couple of subway stops of popular neighborhoods such as Shibuya, Ebisu, and Roppongi. The hotel has seven restaurants, an excellent gym, and a pool the kids will love. The New Sanno accepts Space-A reservations up to 6 months in advance.
Getting there:
The New Sanno has a shuttle from both the Tokyo airports and Yokota Air Base. Their website also details public transportation options for other U.S. military bases in Japan.
Find more places to stay near OCONUS military bases on our list here.
4. Hiroshima
What to see and do:
The main attraction in Hiroshima is the Peace Memorial, which includes the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Museum, and several other monuments. The island of Miyajima, only a short boat ride away from Hiroshima, is also worth visiting. It is considered one of the most beautiful sites in Japan, and its famous Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hike or take a tram to the top of the mountain for amazing 360-degree views of Hiroshima Bay.
Where to stay:
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni is approximately one hour from Hiroshima. The new Inns of the Corps has comfortable, modern rooms and a nice fitness facility.
Getting there:
You may be able to fly Space-A into Iwakuni. The base is also easily accessible by train from Hiroshima.
5. Nagasaki
What to see and do:
Visit Nagasaki to see the powerful exhibits at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park. You can also visit Dejima, the site of the former Dutch trading post and Japan’s only international trading port for more than 200 years. If the weather is clear, catch what has been recognized as one of the best night views in the world from the top of Mt. Inasa.
Where to stay:
Sasebo Naval Base is about 2 hours from Nagasaki. There are two military lodging facilities: a Navy Lodge and a Navy Gateway Inns & Suites.
Getting there:
You can take a train or bus between Sasebo and Nagasaki in under 2 hours. If you rent a car, the drive is slightly shorter, depending on traffic. If you’re flying into the area from abroad, you may land in Fukuoka, the largest city on the island of Kyushu. From Fukuoka airport, the base operates a shuttle twice daily, but seats are Space-A.
Getting to Japan and staying in military lodging in Japan
Wondering how you can visit all these great Japanese destinations without breaking the bank if you’re not already stationed in Japan? Fly Space-A! Here’s a detailed guide to flying Space-A to Japan.
Staying in military lodging in Japan offers the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the beautiful sites of Japan along with the delicious food and the culture. At the same time, you can have comfortable lodging with familiar amenities at very reasonable prices. Traveling “military-style” – using your military benefits and privileges to make your travel more convenient and affordable – is the best way to see the world!
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Stephanie Montague is a communications consultant and freelance writer. She is the founder of Poppin’ Smoke, a website designed to encourage members of the military community to use their military benefits for (fun) travel. Stephanie shares news from military MWR facilities, updates from other military blogs, and links to great travel content on the Poppin’ Smoke Facebook Page.
