Travelog Yokota Compiled by the Officers’ Spouses’ Club Yokota Air Base, Japan 2002 Travelog Staff The Yokota Travelog was written and assembled by members of the Yokota Officers’ Spouses’ Club with the assistance of local residents and organizations. Travelog Coordinator…Michelle Arostegui Accuracy…Brian Marriott, Kristen Marriott, Teresa Negley Proofing... Lesa Campbell, Teresa Negley, Brian Marriott Graphic Design...Marvin Arostegui Typing…Kristen Marriott Maps...Courtesy of Yujo Community Center © 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002 Yokota Officers’ Spouses’ Club This book is copyrighted and the content (including text, artwork, and photographs, etc.) may not be used in any form without prior written permission from the Yokota Officers’ Spouses’ Club. Contributors James Alexander Roger Eggert Julie Irwin Luann Myers Joy Thompson Donna Alexander Charlene Elmore Tina Isaacson Teresa Negley Diane Trempe Sam Amrhein Judy Erskine Norma Jean Myrick Sue Neuhaus Chris Underwood Pam Amrhein Sumiko Evans M. Jeral Robin Neumann Kathleen A Vactor Laura Anderson Hailley Felter Jill Jones Pat Nolan Jane Van Maldeghem Donna Anson Yoriko Fisher Leslie Kann Marybeth Norcross Gina VanOrsdol Beth Armstrong Jena Flowers Leslie Kelley Janie Norton Peg Vivori B.J. Barger Marlene Flyer Lynn Kemper Karen Ozment Elaine Wall Laurie Barrett Gail Fowler Sharon Kernstock Sherri Park Kazuho Watanabe Karen Becker Bill Fowler Rachel Keyser-McClendon Debra Pasko Pam Watson Fran Bonn Cynthia Fox Azumi Kimura Viki Lyn Paulson-Cody Kelly Wavering Anne Bowers Kathleen French Barbara Kirkwood Jenny Perham Kyna Weaver Judy Brooks Pat Fritze Michele Kreuziger Suzanne Perini Marja Weaver Evelyn Brown Linda Garcia Bob Kuhlo Phillury Platte Mugs Wedemeyer Chieko Brumley Doren Garten Glen Kuhn Joy Prather Maria Whitte Patricia Caldwell Dorian Geller Jean Kuramoto Ann Quattrone Dee Wichman Fran Calene Meg Gilster Susan Lan Cheryl Raggio Jill Wicke Norine Carter Betsy Griffith Masumi Laurence Debbie Reed Maria Witte Deannie Caudle Sondra Halweg Dawn Leach Gayle Richards Lori Wolfe Joan Cerha Teri Hansen Edie Leavengood Cathy Ross Carol Woodcock Sharon Chang Keiko Hansen Thel Lemons Catherine L Sadler Pamela R. Woollard Angie Chesher Mavis Hara Gail Lindsey Joe Schlatter Kerri Wright Susan Clark Joe Harb Connie E. Lukens Karen Sexton Geri Yasuhara James R. Cody, Jr. Michele Harms Anita Lyau Jim & Susie Shaw Tokyo Metropolitan Gov’t Linda Coffman Judy Harvey Diane C. Lyell Sharon Shunk Western Parks Region Rosandra Corea Doreen T Heriault Suzanne Maresh Barbara Smith Yujo Community Center Diane Cressman Sandy Hess Wendy Matheny Cindy Smith Fuji Flyer, Yokota A.B. Claire Criba Becky Hodges Sally Mayberry Marcia St. John Thora Davidson-White Beth Holbrook Rita Mayer Lori St. Laurent Carol Davies Christine Holmes Judith McKay Bill Stoops Jan DeForest Jill Hones Joyce McKim Delores Street Edie Dean Melonie Hostetler Cheryl McNabb Margaret Summers Mary Dierker Gina Howensteine Alesa McNeillLauri Belk Ritsuko Taylor Cindy Drossner Corrie Huggins Mary Meckley George Teitel C.L Edwards Corie Huggins Rod & Cheryl Mees Doreen Theriault Paulette Edwards Valerie Hughes Melody Messer Christine Thomas Shannon Edwards Carol Ingmanson Monique Mooten Harry Thompson The YOKOTA TRAVELOG was assembled as a public service by volunteers for members of the Yokota Air Base community in Tokyo, Japan. The opinions herein do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. government, the Air Force, U.S. Forces Japan, the base itself, the Family Support Center, or the Officers’ Spouses’ Club. The names of business establishments, tourist attractions and the like do not represent endorsements but are instead references for community residents. Information in this book is intended as encouragement to community members to venture forth and experience new things. We welcome contributions in the form of information, written articles and photographs for future editions. Please send corrections and/or new stories to us via the Relocation Section of the Yokota Family Support Center or the Travelog Committee of the Yokota Officers’ Spouses’ Club. YOKOTA TRAVELOG The Yokota Officers’ Spouses’ Club maintains computer files of the Travelog. Please make note of changes or new attractions you may encounter and send the details to: Travelog Coordinator, c/o YOSC 374 SPTG/SVBO APO, AP 96326-5119 2 General Information Yokota Travelog Table of Contents General Information................................................................................ 15 Japanese Phone System .................................................................................................................. 15 Public Telephones ........................................................................................................................... 15 English Telephone Directory ......................................................................................................... 15 Off-Base Emergencies ..................................................................................................................... 15 USFJ: Base Numbers ........................................................................................................................ 15 Helpful numbers for Tokyo: .......................................................................................................... 15 Information Centers outside Tokyo: ............................................................................................. 15 Do You Want a Cell Phone? ........................................................................................................... 15 Useful Information .......................................................................................................................... 16 American Embassy .......................................................................................................................... 17 The Japanese Postal Service ........................................................................................................... 17 Non-Deliverable Mail Notice ........................................................................................................ 17 Postal Dimensions ........................................................................................................................... 17 Sending Mail Off-Base .................................................................................................................... 17 Post Offices Near Yokota ............................................................................................................... 17 Your Japanese Address .................................................................................................................. 17 Tourist Information Center ............................................................................................................ 18 Japan Travel Updates via the Internet .......................................................................................... 18 More Information ............................................................................................................................. 18 Holidays & Festivals in Japan..............................................................................19 Japanese National Holidays .......................................................................................................... 19 Festivals in Japan ............................................................................................................................. 19 January - New Year’s Festivities ................................................................................................... 20 January - Adult Day (Seijin-no-Hi)................................................................................................ 21 February - Bean Throwing Ceremony .......................................................................................... 21 February/March - Walk in Clouds of Color at Yoshino Baigo ................................................ 21 March - Hamura Festival ................................................................................................................ 21 March - Cherry Blossoms ............................................................................................................... 22 March - Girls’ Festival ..................................................................................................................... 23 March - Fertility Festival ................................................................................................................ 23 March - Firewalking Festival ......................................................................................................... 23 May - Children’s Day (Kodomo-no-Hi) ....................................................................................... 24 Yokota’s Friendship Festival ......................................................................................................... 24 August - Fussa’s Tanabata Festival ..............................................................................................24 August - Ome Fireworks ................................................................................................................ 24 August - The Festival of Lanterns ................................................................................................. 24 September - Chouyo .......................................................................................................................