The direct AMC “Patriot Express” flight to Iwakuni was discontinued Oct 1, 2006 and there are no major airports relatively close to MCAS Iwakuni, making all travel to and from base more frustrating when dealing with kids, luggage, language barriers, local currency, etc.
There is still an AMC “Patriot Express” flight from Seattle-Yokota-Kadena, but do not allow your detaching travel office to send you on this flight or you will have trouble getting to Iwakuni. If your travel section is determined to send you on AMC, demand that they speak to Iwakuni TMO/Travel who will explain that cost is from point of departure, all the way to the gate of MCAS Iwakuni (Includes all local travel in country, which is very expensive). Keep in mind that small Hiroshima Airport is the closest to the base, but still 1.5 hours away on the expressway, and has no direct flights from the U.S.
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Do not expect to be picked up outside of the Iwakuni area unless you and your sponsor have agreed upon this. You are responsible for getting yourself & your family to the main gate of MCAS Iwakuni. It is not the responsibility of the sponsor or the unit, as there is no duty driver or vehicle designated expressly for picking up inbounds, nor do sponsors currently get reimbursed for picking up inbound members (About $70 in gas & tolls to travel to Hiroshima Airport). However, most sponosrs will work with you and assist in every way they can to get you here.
Be aware that Japan has two different train systems: the Japan Rail or "JR" which is the local train system, and the Shinkansen or "Shin" which is the bullet train. Iwakuni and Hiroshima, as well as other cities, have both JR (local) and Shin train stations. At Hiroshima's main station, they are both present within the same set of terminals. In Iwakuni, the JR train station is downtown (near the base) and the Shin station is situated a bit more remotely (near Kintai Bridge). Just be sure that you are on the correct type of train for your destination.
Travel lighter than you are normally accustomed to (your orders may say 2 bags per person, but trains, airlines, taxis may not have enough space for that much luggage). Have a valid credit card and ample Japanese Yen to cover travel and expenses for the entire family. It doesn’t hurt to have a sense of humor also.
It is highly recommend that you ship some of your uniform items to your sponsor (cammies, boots, alphas, short/long sleeve shirts, etc.) and ask them to send them to the cleaners, pick them up, and have them put in your TLF room the day you arrive. Have the sponsor keep the receipt so you can properly reimburse for the expenses. Doing this ensures that you have all of your uniforms ready to go when you arrive, and you get to avoid lugging them through airports and finding space for the extra luggage.
Your sponsor can also arrange to leave basic food items in your room if you desire. It is convenient to have some basic sandwich-making items and something on hand for breakfast the next morning, just to tide you over until you get a chance to go to the commissary. Work with your sponsor on these issues.
Option 1: Tokyo-Narita International Airport to Hiroshima Airport
Currently, this is the TMO preferred route of travel to MCAS Iwakuni. You can fly directly from the U.S. to Narita International Airport, and transfer to the one daily late afternoon domestic flight to Hiroshima Airport. Flight times vary seasonally, but generally leaves around 1745 and takes about 1.5 hrs to reach Hiroshima. Since this flight arrives late in the afternoon, it is very likely that the currency exchange and information counters will be closed when you arrive, therefore it is imperative that you bring enough Japanese Yen for the remainder of your journey to Iwakuni. NOTE: You must go through customs at Narita and recheck luggage for the flight to Hiroshima. The planes from Narita to Hiroshima are small, so pack accordingly, as large or heavy luggage may present a problem.
Refer to, "Hiroshima Airpot to Iwakuni" from here.
Option 2: Tokyo Haneda Domestic Airport
You can fly into Tokyo Narita directly from U.S. and transfer by bus to Tokyo Haneda Domestic Airport, which has numerous daily flights to Hiroshima. The bus ride can take up to 2 hours depending on Tokyo traffic, and you must first clear customs at Tokyo Narita and collect all bags to take with you. Bus tickets for the trip can be bought at the airport bus desk near the terminal exit point, and most staff members speak English and can direct you how to get to the correct waiting area for the next available bus. Note: If you have pets, you will most likely give them up at Narita Airport baggage pickup for quarantine and onward travel later to Iwakuni.
Refer to, "Hiroshima Airpot to Iwakuni" from here.
Option 3: Osaka Kansai International Airport to Shin Iwakuni
This route is only recommended for those with just a spouse and 2-3 bags due to the fact that you must take three separate trains with limited luggage storing. You can fly directly from U.S to Osaka Kansai Intl Airport. After clearing customs, you must collect your bags and purchase tickets at the JR ticket station just after exiting Kansai Airport (1 floor up after departing baggage claim) for both local train and Shinkansen (Shin) train rides to Shin Station Iwakuni. The cost is approximately $110 Adult and $55 child 6-11. Children 5 and under are free, but do not get a seat (they will sit on your lap). It is about 45 minutes on the local (Haruka/Kansai Express) train that runs from the airport to Shin Osaka Station. Once at the Shin Station, you can board the fastest Shin Train (called a Nozomi) and travel to Hiroshima Shin Station (About 2.5 hrs) where you will transfer to a fast Shin Train (Kodama) for the remaining 20 minute ride to Shin Iwakuni Station, which is about a 30-40 minute car/taxi ride from base.
Refer to the "Shinkansen Travel" instructions.
Option 4: Fukuoka International Airport to Shin Iwakuni
This route is only recommended for those with limited baggage, due to the fact that you must travel quite a way by foot, and due to limited luggage storing. You can fly directly from the U.S. to Fukuoka Intl Airport, and take an airport shuttle to the Domestic Terminal. When you leave the Domestic Terminal you will be outside, so turn left and follow the (train icon) signs to the Subway (About 100 yd walk & go downstairs). At the bottom of the stairs and directly in front of you, you will see machines for purchasing subway tickets. Placing 250 Yen in coins into slot & pressing 250 button will spit out a small ticket for you. Take the ticket, and move to your right a few yards where subway entrance machines are located. Insert ticket in machine to be punched, walk thru gate & grab your punched ticket again. Follow crowd downstairs to subway and board next available train. Hakata Station is the 2nd stop after the Airport Subway Station (10 min ride).
If excess luggage is an issue, you can ship some to MCAS Iwakuni via Nittsu or Yamato Transport located in the arrival area of Fukuoka Airport Terminal (Note “Shinkansen Travel” concerning baggage service).
Upon arriving at Hakata Train Station, use the escalator to the upper floor, turn left and walk until you come to another escalator to the next level (Mr. Donut will be on your right side as you approach 2nd escalator). At top of escalator, look to your right for the Shinkansen ticket office and get in line to purchase tickets for “Iwakuni Shin Station” (Approx $70 Adult & $35 child 6-11). Children 5 and under are free, but do not get a seat (They share with you). Your train will not say it will stop in Iwakuni, more likely Yamaguchi or other, so ask the ticket issuer to write the # of the train for you so you get on the right one, (Example, Kodama #623). Right outside of the ticket office are LED signs indicating train#, departing time and track# (Use escalator on right most likely). Once you find the track and verify your train# and time with the LED nearest that track, board train arriving nearest your departure time and/or ask Shin support personnel if that is the # of your train (Car & seat #s should be on your ticket). NOTE that only KODAMA type
Shinkansen trains stop in Iwakuni, the faster NOZOMI does not. The Shin will make a few stops before arriving at Iwakuni Shin Station (1.5 hour ride). Once your arrive at the Iwakuni Train Station, you can take a taxi (Depending on family size & luggage) or have sponsor pick you up.
Refer to the "Shinkansen Travel" instructions.
Hiroshima Airport to Iwakuni
If your travel itinerary brings you to Hiroshima Airport, you will have some options on proceeding to Iwakuni:
Option A: Have your sponsor meet you at Hiroshima Airport. Some sponsors do not mind driving to pick you up at the airport, but keep in mind that they are not required to do so, and are not reimbursed for the trip, so you may want to offer them at least $70 to cover gas, expressway, and parking fees.
Option B: Reserve the Hiroshima Airport Shuttle, a service offered by MCCS Iwakuni. For reservation information, call IT&T 253-4030, or from the US, call 011-81-827-79-4030. Your sponsor can also make reservations for you. The cost is $60 per person, reimbursable on your travel claim. Small caged pets are authorized on the shuttle; if the caged pet is in a set, the $60 fee applies to the pet as well. You may utilize the shuttle even if you do not have the money on hand to pay for the service, but you will be required to sign an agreement that you will make the payment the following day.
Option C: Take a bus from Hiroshima Airport to the Hiroshima JR train station, and take the train to Iwakuni. You can buy bus tickets from vending machines outside baggage claim (prior to exiting the terminal) to get to the Japanese Rail (JR) Hiroshima Station (a 50 min ride). Once you arrive at the Hiroshima Train Station, you will then purchase a ticket for a local JR train to Iwakuni JR Station in downtown Iwakuni (1 hr ride). From the local Iwakuni JR Station, it is a 10 minute taxi ride to base (at a cost of about 1500 yen, which is about $15; the taxis only take Yen), or your sponsor can pick you up. Follow this link for a document that walks you through the steps, with photos from Hiroshima Airport to JR Station Iwakuni.
Option C: BE ADVISED: A taxi directly from Hiroshima Airport to MCAS Iwakuni is at least Y30,000 ($260), can be difficult to obtain due to language issues, and is difficult to fit bags on. If a taxi is needed due to large size of family and amount of baggage, it is more advisable that the bus is taken to Hiroshima Train Station from the Airport, then look for English sign for “TAXI” where a larger taxi can be obtained for travel to the Air Station by going to the taxi office and asking for a “Jumbo TAXI”. Note that the taxi will not be allowed on base, so your sponsor will have to pick you up at the front gate, and you must have ample Yen to pay driver. The cost is about 18,000 Yen ($160).
The Shiraichi Station (mentioned in the link above) is not recommended for travel to Iwakuni by train, even though the Station is only 15 minutes by bus from Hiroshima Airport, due to the fact that luggage must be hand-carried aboard the shuttle bus and there is only room to sit, (I have traveled this many times myself with limited luggage). The bus to Hiroshima Train Station however, will allow you to store all luggage in below compartments.
I highly recommend printing out the document on the above link (About 7 pages) and carrying it with you to refer to if this is the route you will be arriving. The last page has numerous contact numbers & a reminder on how to use Japanese phones. Also, please be sure to have enough money exchanged to Yen prior to leaving the U.S. At least $300 is recommended, but if you have several dependents, more is better (you will use it while in Japan, I assure you, or you can exchange it back to Dollars at one of the cash cages on base once you arrive).
Shinkansen Travel (Bullet Train)
Should you arrive in either Osaka or Fukuoka Airports, neither airport has connecting flights to Hiroshima Airport, and you must take the Shinkansen (Shin) to Iwakuni from these arrival points.
Shin tickets cannot be purchased in advance from the U.S., but both Yen and most major credit cards are accepted to purchase them here in Japan. The Shin is expensive, difficult for first-timers to navigate, only stops for about 1 minute at each stop, (Exception can be the KODAMA), and will not allow pets other than with a small, “hand-carried” carrier. If you have more than 1 suitcase per adult (you basically keep your luggage with you where you sit if you desire to make it out of the Shin with your luggage at your stop), you may also run into problems.
Due to this limited baggage space, the baggage delivery service is recommended for all personnel traveling via the Shin from Kansai or Fukuoka airport, particularly those traveling with numerous bags. Note that in many cases, families were not allowed to board the Shin if they had too much luggage.
Inbound personnel should have baggage delivered to TMO, Freight Shipping and Receiving, Bldg 1710, MCAS Iwakuni, phone number 253-6716/4379. Total linear dimensions cannot exceed 67 inches or 170 cm, and total weight cannot exceed 66 lbs or 30 kg. The cost is about 1,300 - 2,700 Yen ($11-24) per bag depending on size (this is currently reimbursable on your travel claim).
Note also that you must transfer Shinkansen trains at Hiroshima Shin Station if you come from Osaka or Tokyo Station to make the last leg to Iwakuni. Review the following link for more detailed information on travel, including very well made videos on how to travel to Iwakuni from Narita and Osaka Airports, and information on how to buy/read train tickets, use Japanese phones and info on baggage delivery service. There are restrooms on the Shin trains (Use Western style please until you are used to Japanese style).
Hyperdia.com is a nice resource for traveling within Japan. Click the English in the top left corner of the page next to the search boxes to begin. Then enter the starting point and destination (such as Narita to Iwakuni), then click Search. On the next page, you can further define your starting and destination points, choose whether you wish to include travel by airlines or shinkansen or both, dates and times of departure, type of seat, etc. Then click Start to see the resulting options based on your input.
Language Barrier
Some mode of communication between yourself and the local people would be very helpful to ease your mind about the language barrier, unless of course you are fortunate enough to speak Japanese. Though it is not required of you, and though there are some English-speaking people who can assist you along the way, for your own convenience and peace of mind you might want to seriously consider bringing along a phrase book or electronic translation device.
See my Language page to learn about some web sites and tools that I and others have found useful.
Baggage Service
Information about available luggage services can be found on MCAS Iwakuni's How to get to MCAS Iwakuni page. The service will take your luggage and send it to Iwakuni for you so you don't have to lug it around between trains when you get here. Be sure you separate out what you will need for a day or two into a smaller suitcase to keep with you, and send the rest via the baggage service, and it will arrive a day or two after you do.
I have been told that this service is available for military and civilians, so if you have visitors coming to see you while you are here, they may wish to take advantage of this service, as well.
Summer Pet Travel Info
If you plan to bring a pet to MCAS Iwakuni, please refer to the Summer Pet Travel (Microsoft Word) document for breed-specific information and weight allowance guidelines.
MCAS Iwakuni's Welcome Aboard Page
MCAS Iwakuni's Welcome Aboard page is dedicated to newcomers, and is full of information about customs, travel, bringing pets, and general information about the area. Be sure to check it out. If the link above doesn't work, just go to http://www.iwakuni.usmc.mil and click the Welcome Aboard link.
Specific Travel Destinations
Specific travel instructions can be found at the base's multimedia instructional site on Traveling to Japan. For your convenience, I am listing the links from that page here (these are direct links to the URLs provided at the base's site, so if their links go down or are changed, these will not work. Also note that several of these are works in progress and are not available yet). This site also provides information on how to read your train tickets and how to use Japanese public phones, as well as documents required for travel and who to contact if you get lost or need help.
These are my instructions for traveling on the local train system in Japan, otherwise known as JR or Japan Railway. This is a different train than the Shin, or bullet, train, and is used for traveling shorter local distances, such as between Hiroshima and Iwakuni. If you fly into Tokyo's Narita International Airport, and fly from there to Hiroshima, then you can take the local train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni.
Hyperdia.com is a nice resource for traveling within Japan. Click the English in the top left corner of the page next to the search boxes to begin. Then enter the starting point and destination (such as Narita to Iwakuni), then click Search. On the next page, you can further define your starting and destination points, choose whether you wish to include travel by airlines or shinkansen or both, dates and times of departure, type of seat, etc. Then click Start to see the resulting options based on your input.
