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Washers/Dryers - UPDATED February 21, 2008: 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 buy them before you come unless you want to pay at least $300 for one. They aren't cheap on base or off! Refer to my Transportation page for specific requirements regarding bicycles.
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 exchange 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.
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