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What to Bring

Documents:
Personal records which you should have in your immediate possession while en-route:

• Service Record
• All Dental and Health Records (Servicemember and Family Members)
• Original Orders with all Endorsements and Modifications
• Area Clearance Approval Message
• Vaccination Records
• Passports
• School records (sealed)
• Original Birth Certificate
• Original Marriage Certificate
• Immigration or Naturalization Certificates (as applies)

Important Note – keep all plane, train, taxi, etc. receipts during your travel for your claim at IPAC.

For the Flight:
These things will help make the long flight more tolerable:

• U-shaped neck pillow, it will help you sleep through the flight comfortably.
• Snacks, especially if you have kids
• Something to read or do (knitting, portable dvd player, handheld games, playing cards, etc.) for you and the kids
• A Japanese translation aid (electronic translator or phrase book) may be very useful for when you arrive at one of Japan’s airports, and can provide a source of entertainment during the trip.
• Obviously, you should also bring whatever necessary documents you need, such as passports, copies of orders, copies of area clearance, phone numbers for Iwakuni Point of Contact, some Yen (currently, $300 per person converted to Yen in case you get stuck at an airport and need to get a hotel for the night, food, etc)

For Arrival:
These things will help make your first days more comfortable:

• Backpack
• Comfortable Walking Shoes
• Band-Aids (you will be walking a LOT, having these on hand helps)
• Sunscreen (if you arrive between March-Sept, to prevent sunburn while you are walking)
• Nice clothes for going off base, such as a polo and slacks, or jeans and a nice shirt without “American” writing or logos on them

There will be some time between your arrival, completion of the required two-day briefs, studying for and passing your written driver’s test, and finding and acquiring a vehicle, so you will definitely want some comfortable walking shoes and a backpack to carry your things in. The base is small, but if you aren’t accustomed to walking several miles over a day’s time, you will definitely appreciate having these things. You’ll also find that an umbrella and sunglasses are handy, but you can pick these up at the Exchange. You can buy backpacks in the Exchange, but the variety might be limited!

For one of the briefs, you will be taken off base to get a taste of the local culture. You will need to dress appropriately for this (polo style shirt and slacks, or jeans and nice shirt, or nice shorts and nice shirt, you get the idea), and bring about 5000 Yen with you (which is roughly $50, you can use your regular ATM card in the Community Bank ATM to withdraw funds in Yen from your checking/saving account).

For Express Shipment:
Your express shipment should arrive before you get into housing, so that when you get your keys for your new place, they can bring your express shipment that same day, along with any loaner furniture that you requested from housing when you signed for your place. This is my list of items that I included in my express shipment as well as some additional items that I had wished I had included. Of course, there is always the Lending Locker if you forget anything or don’t want to pack everything like I did.

The Express Shipment is a shipment of NON-FURNITURE items which will go by air and which will likely be available to you the day you get housing, if not soon after. I highly recommend including any electronic items, such as computers, and any valuable items such as photographs, in this shipment since it does not go by sea (less chance of damage in the express shipment).

Some moving companies will allow you to put bicycles in the express shipment, but one way or the other, bring them. If you don’t already own them but think you even might want to ride bikes here (many people do). You can buy bicycles in the MCX on base, but the selection is limited. There are numerous bike shops off-base, but you will probably pay $300 or more for a Japanese bike. Refer to Transportation section for specific requirements regarding bicycles (helmets are required on base, so ship them too).

OFFICE:

• Photographs
• Computer Disks
• Computer
• Printer
• Scanner
• Breaker Bar(s) for computer hookup
• Stapler
• Staples
• Printer Paper
• File Cabinet contents (can’t pack the cabinet, since it’s considered furniture)

UNIFORMS:

• One of each uniform in closet that fits and is up to date
• All extra uniform undershirts (the ones we aren’t bringing with us)
• Cammies (except what we’re bringing with us)
• Any misc. uniform accessories

BEDROOM:

• TV
• Alarm Clock
• Clothes we wear often but aren’t taking with us
• Set of sheets for each person’s bed
• Pillows for each person
• Blankets for each person
• Full-length mirror, because they are expensive to buy here (think: $30 at Nafco compared to $9 at Wal-Mart!)

BATHROOM:

• Personal Items (such as specific feminine hygine products if you’re picky; enough to last a few months until you find out what you can get here, or if you have to order online; drugstore.com stocks most things and ships within about a week or two)
• Set of Towels, Wash Cloths, Hand Towels, at least 1 set per person, more if you like a clean set every time, to save trips to the laundromat
• Shower curtain liners, because the ones the exchange sells here are not wide enough for the standard tubs in housing, nor long enough for the height of the shower stalls for the housing units that have two bathrooms.
• Toilet bowl brushes with holders, because the exchange only carries them sometimes, and the ones off base are small and different.

LIVING ROOM:

• TV
• VCR
• DVD Player
• Coax Cable
• X-Box/Playstation and Games
• Movies
• Fire Safe (Locked, take keys with you)
• Telephone(s): Corded, or cordless 2.4 ghz or 5.8 ghz (the older 900 mHz ones aren’t authorized here due to interference with Japanese fire department equipment)
• Music CD Collection
• Lamp

KITCHEN:

• Large, Medium, and Small Pots with lids
• Casserole Dish (great for one-pot quick meals like the betty crocker meals)
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing Bowls
• Coffee Mugs
• Glasses
• Bowls
• Plates
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Tongs
• Serving spoons/cooking spoons
• Can Opener
• Corkscrew
• Kitchen scissors
• Silverware
• Ice Cream Scoop
• Pizza Cutter
• Cutting board
• Kitchen knives
• Skillet
• Baking Sheets
• Iced Tea Pot & Pitcher
• Coffee Pot & Filters
• Microwave
• Toaster Oven
• Chip Clips
• Timer
• Meat Thermometer
• Kitchen Towels
• Dish Cloths
• Pot holders
• Recipes/Recipe Books (Favorites)

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Clock
• Step Stool (if you don’t have one, get one, because the cabinets in base housing go all the way to the ceiling, and the storage space above the closets are deep)
• Basic Tools (Hammer, Screwdriver Set, Wrench, Pliars)
• Set of Assorted Screws, Nails, Drywall Anchors, Nuts, Bolts (you can find these at the 100 Yen store but they’re hard to find on base)
• Rubber Bands, Duct Tape, Masking Tape, Scotch Tape
• Mop
• Mop Bucket
• Broom
• Vacuum Cleaner and Bags or Filters (enough to do you until you find them here or order some more online)
• Iron
• Ironing Board
• Flashlight
• Clean Litter Box, Scoop, and Toys if you bring a Cat
• Toys for kids or other special items for their needs

For Household Goods Shipment:
Washers/Dryers – MCAS Iwakuni has been designated as a weight restricted area and accompanied tour personnel are now currently allowed to ship only 75% of JFTR weight allowance. As the weight restriction began, housing began furnishing all base housing with washers/dryers. If you are new and did not bring a washer or dryer, housing can supply one to you for your tour. If you are already a resident in housing and your washer or dryer dies on you, they can also supply loaner ones to you but please remember that this depends on the availability of appliances in the warehouse, as sometimes the supply runs low, especially during the PCS season.

Space heater – Please note that use of personal space heaters is not allowed. You may be able to apply for a waiver.

Electric blanket – Great for those cold winter nights for additional warmth.

Humidifier – We use a small Vicks brand humidifier (it was the cheapest one on the market when I purchased it), because the dry heat creates static and also makes it uncomfortable to sleep. You can buy a Vicks humidifier for about $10 at Wal-mart, or you can order one online once you get here; I got mine on eBay, but ended up paying about $25 for it due to the higher price and shipping, so that’s why I say to buy one before you come, just pack it along with your HHG, or your express shipment if you’re coming in the winter months.

Dehumidifier – You can get a dehumidifier for those humid summer months from housing at no cost, so if you don’t already own one, don’t go buy one; however, if you do have one, go ahead and bring it.

Clothes Dryer Cord – If you are bringing your clothes dryer, make sure yours has a 3-prong, 6-foot power cord, because the base uses only 3-prong power outlets for the dryers, and the exchange has had difficulty getting 3-prong cords in stock recently. Newer houses in the US use 4-prong outlets, so just be sure your dryer has a 3-prong plug or that you buy a 4-prong to 3-prong adapter for it before you PCS. It would be a good idea to go ahead and attach the adapter to the plug before the movers come to pack things up, just so you don’t lose it during the move.

Fan(s) – To draw in that nice fresh spring and fall air. Also handy if you burn dinner, to push out the smoky air before it sets off the fire alarms!

Clothes, Shoes, Uniforms – The exchange is tiny and clothes off base run very small. You can always order online once you get here, but again, much cheaper if you already know you need something to buy it before you come. The uniform shop in the Exchange is also very small, and they seem to have a hard time keeping sizes in stock, especially when it comes time for the Ball, so make sure that you have your required two sets of every uniform, as well as the shoes/boots for them, and that they fit properly.

Deep freezer – If you have a small to medium sized one, and you are debating whether to bring it or not, bring it! You’ll find room for it somewhere, even if it’s on your balcony or in a closet (I was surprised how big the closets are here; our small deep freezer fits in the utility closet, but some units have washer/dryer hookups in that closet, so I guess we would have had to put it somewhere else if we had one of those).

Bicycle(s) – Some moving companies will allow you to put bicycles in the express shipment, but one way or the other, bring them. If you don’t already own them but think you even might want to ride bikes here (many people do) then consider buying them before you come (the MCX has a limited selection). There are numerous bike shops off base, but you will probably pay $300 or more for a Japanese bike, so keep that in mind. Refer to the Transportation page for specific requirements regarding bicycles (helmets are required on base, so bring them too).

Grills – If you like to cook out, and you have a grill that uses a small (16 oz or less) propane tank, then bring it. Otherwise, you can buy small propane grills here that are authorized for use on the midrise balconies. Larger propane grills (with tanks over 16oz) are not allowed on the midrise balconies, and with the townhouses being renovated and storage space limited, there isn’t much point to bringing a large grill here. Charcoal grills are not allowed on the balconies at all, and they provide charcoal grill pits in the common areas outside each housing unit, so it’s pretty pointless to bring those as well.

The next several items are listed under my suggested items to put in your express shipment, but I thought they were noteworthy enough to re-list here as Iwakuni-specific items in general.

Full length mirror – You can get these at Nafco here off base, but they are around $30 for the cheapest ones, so I highly recommend getting one at Wal-Mart before you move. We opted not to pack ours for fear of it breaking, but we wished we had just chanced it anyway, since most everything else made it here just fine.

Toilet bowl brushes w/ holders – The exchange carries them sometimes, but not always, and the ones off base are small and different. You might pick up two, if you rate housing with two bathrooms (the 3- and 4-bedroom units have two bathrooms).

Cordless phone – Either 2.4 ghz or 5.8 ghz (the 900 mHz ones aren’t authorized here, because they interfere with the Japanese emergency radio frequencies). The exchange has a very limited selection, and the ones off base may not be what you want. Also, some mail-order companies won’t send electronic items to FPO addresses due to international laws and restrictions.

Shower curtain liners – The ones the MCX carries do not quite fit the tub widths and shower stall heights here, so I suggest you just get a basic sized set of them before you move.