Fussa City is located on the outskirts of Tokyo Prefecture and it’s a place with a unique atmosphere thanks to the presence of Yokota Air Base which is home to around 3,500 US military members You can learn more about things to see and do in the area in the following articles: The food culture in this part of the city is also a lot of fun with some great restaurants located along Route 16 – it’s the main thoroughfare that snakes its way along the perimeter of the base If you’re in the area and looking for a bite to eat this guide covers 5 spots worth checking out Niramanju is a must if you’re craving Chinese cuisine A must-try is the dandan noodles (sometimes in Japan you’ll see them referred to as tantanmen) which come in several varieties including white sesame It’s hard to miss Khaomangai if you’re traveling along Route 16 – the tuk-tuk out the front serves as a colorful landmark They’ve got all the classic Thai favorites on the menu here and the lunch specials in particular offer great value so it’s recommended to head over early during their lunch or dinner sessions to ensure a table is free you’ll know that parts of the area feel like a small slice of America That certainly rings true for Demode Diner which wouldn’t have felt out of place in a movie like Grease The 50s-themed diner has booth and table seating with the requisite ketchup and mustard bottles ready to use Over 15 types of burgers feature on the menu Un Quinto is the epitome of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Located in a former military housing building directly across from Yokota Air Base the restaurant serves up some phenomenal Italian cuisine They have a standard menu plus additional specials that change with the seasons and the cozy ambience lends perfectly to a date night One of the quirky things about visiting here is that the interior walls are all lined with sharpie signatures and messages from previous visitors Mint Motel isn’t a motel at all – it’s a fun diner-style restaurant serving up all-day breakfast You can make your own waffles at the waffle station (super fun for children!) watch pancakes come out of the pancake press imported directly from the States or enjoy American cereals like Reese’s Puffs and Frosted Flakes Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan curry and baked goods emanate from a vine-covered and historic flat house just a five-minute walk from the main gate at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo Cafe D-13 is a renovated structure that was used as military family housing in the 1950s and 1960s Uncovering this time capsule feels like discovering a speakeasy and the sense that one is let in on a secret The only indicator of its existence is a small “When I was looking for a house to renovate for a shop I came across D-13 and thought it would make a great coffee shop,” said co-owner Megumu Gomi “I think Fussa is a city with wonderful diversity and culture that simultaneously feels Japanese Tucked into a neighborhood immediately adjacent to the air base the leafy green cafe is surrounded by several other historical U.S military flat houses but distinguishes itself by its Instagram-worthy photo appeal the coffee bar proudly displays a beautiful Italian espresso machine and all the coffee making tools required of a master barista and displayed baked goods combine to create a soothing atmosphere perfect for sipping coffee over a book or quietly chatting with a friend With an assortment of beans from around the world and eight years of experience masterfully serves pour-over-filtered coffee and espresso-based drinks Their menu boasts an adequately refined selection of drinks to include oat milk options for the lactose intolerant as well as noncaffeinated drinks I was working at a company and often went to coffee shops where I fell in love with coffee so I wanted to open my own shop,” said Megumu hoping the people who come to D-13 can enjoy delicious coffee as well as two Indian curries that are all expertly presented and equally delicious but the quiche and a second curry vary from day to day “Many customers who work at Yokota Air Base so it’s interesting to hear stories and culture from overseas,” Megumu said and just listening to their stories makes me feel like I’ve traveled to different places around the world.” Directions: A short walk from Yokota Air Base’s main gate but the shop has two parking spaces available Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo Tanabata, the festival that celebrates the star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, takes place across Japan in early July (and some in August). You'll find one of Tokyo's longest-running iterations of this event in the western town of Fussa. While other such festivals tend to be fairly low-key affairs, this one (now into its 74th year) is packed with events, including a Princess Orihime contest and a folk dance parade with mikoshi floats. The latter is making a comeback on Friday after being absent for the past five years. There are also shows and cheerleading performances on Sunday. Plus, of course, plenty of food stalls around Fussa Station throughout the duration of the festival. facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report A large-scale investigation started on Dec Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo into a suspected leakage of water containing hazardous substances to surrounding residential areas and governments of cities and towns around the air base are taking part in the investigation The leak is believed to have occurred in a firefighting training area of the base and may have carried perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl harmful substances collectively known as PFAS The investigators will seek an explanation from the U.S military informed the Defense Ministry about the leak overflowed onto the asphalt from the firefighting training area at the Yokota Air Base and likely went outside the site through storm water drains,” the U.S The Tokyo metropolitan government and surrounding cities and towns asked the central government to investigate the impact of the incident on groundwater “It is extremely regrettable that information was not promptly provided more than a month after the incident,” the local governments said military to allow entry to its bases over PFAS leaks “We conducted the (inspection) with local concerns and anxieties in mind,” Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a news conference on Dec side to ensure that environmental measures are effective.” The inspection on the base is being carried out by officials from the Defense Ministry (This article was written by Daisuke Yajima and Nobuhiko Tajima.) Toxic chemicals may have leaked from Yokota base in August Level of ‘forever chemicals’ high in blood tests in Tokyo’s Tama VOX POPULI: Contamination from Yokota base is contemporary horror story Japan to discuss strengthening ways to combat PFAS pollution Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Japan: US soldiers joined Japanese officials and residents in Okinawa for a one-off joint nighttime patrol on Friday following sexual assault cases involving American servicemen The United States has around 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan and their behaviour has long angered locals A 21-year-old US Marine was charged with rape in June last year three months after Okinawa prosecutors had charged a 25-year-old US soldier for allegedly assaulting a girl under 16 In the first such joint operation since 1973 participants walked along a downtown street dotted with restaurants bars and music clubs in the vicinity of a US airbase on Friday night said in a statement it reflects “our continued commitment to partnership It will contribute “to the safety and trust that are essential to the strength of the US-Japan alliance” commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Okinawa Area Coordinator The patrol is scheduled to continue until the early hours of the morning Rules about how to treat crimes committed by US military personnel are stipulated in the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said when he took office in October that he wanted to review the rules The 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US soldiers in Okinawa prompted a major backlash -- with calls for a rethink of the 1960 pact allowing the United States to station soldiers in Japan Copyright © 2025. The News International, All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Authors Japan – The arrival of spring and the blooming of cherry blossoms marked a milestone for Japanese students this month as families across the country participated in “nyugakushiki,” or school entrance ceremonies to celebrate the beginning of the school year The start of the Japanese school year each April is a deeply rooted cultural moment especially for first-graders transitioning from “yochien,” or kindergarten For American families stationed in Japan who enroll their children in local schools it offers a firsthand experience of a uniquely Japanese rite of passage American and Japanese families alike took part in the annual tradition as she joined classmates on the short route to school a journey she soon expects to make on her own — a common practice for young students in Japan Carrying “randoseru,” the traditional rounded leather backpacks used throughout elementary school the children marked the beginning of their educational journey The iconic backpack can cost between 30,000 and 100,000 yen recalling her first interactions with classmates “And then she showed me the inside of her randoseru with origins tracing back to the Edo period and Dutch-influenced military design Students typically use the same backpack for all six years of elementary school Following the ceremony and introductions to her new teacher Aspen and some of her classmates returned to their former kindergarten to thank their teachers and proudly show off their new school gear “I felt very nostalgic after visiting Aspen’s yochien for the last time,” said Maricel Today's print edition Home Delivery governments are considering locating a U.S military unit in charge of coordination with the nation's Self-Defense Forces in central Tokyo Such a location near the Defense Ministry is expected to allow both sides to smoothly draw up joint operational plans informed sources said.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The possible location for the coordination unit is the U.S military's Akasaka Press Center in Tokyo's Roppongi district a housing facility for officers and a base for the Stars and Stripes military newspaper In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor defense chiefs and top diplomats will meet in Tokyo on Sunday for security talks aimed at further bolstering their military cooperation forces command and strengthening American-licensed missile production in Japan TOKYO — Japanese and U.S. defense chiefs and top diplomats will meet in Tokyo on Sunday for talks aimed at further bolstering their military cooperation, including by upgrading the command and control of U.S. forces and strengthening American-licensed missile production in Japan, amid a rising threat from China Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will join their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara, at the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee, known as “2+2” security talks, to reaffirm their alliance following President Joe Biden 's withdrawal from the November presidential race the ministers will hold separate talks to reaffirm the U.S commitment to “extended deterrence,” which includes atomic weapons — a shift from Japan’s earlier reluctance to openly discuss the sensitive issue in the world’s only country to have suffered nuclear attacks — amid growing nuclear threats from Russia and China The ministers are expected to discuss plans to upgrade command and control structures for U.S forces in Japan by bringing in higher-ranked officers with commanding authority to create a U.S counterpart for Japan’s unified command currently set for inauguration in March Forces Japan headquartered in Yokota in the western suburbs of Tokyo Instead that comes from the Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii The plan to upgrade USFJ’s command and control capability is designed to help smooth joint exercises and operations Kihara was to meet with South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik in their first bilateral defense ministerial talks in Japan in 15 years Austin will later join them for three-way talks Japan has been accelerating its military buildup and has increased joint operations with the U.S. while trying to strengthen its largely domestic defense industry Japan has significantly eased its arms export restrictions and in December accommodated a U.S request for shipment of surface-to-air PAC-3 missile interceptors produced in Japan under an American license to replenish U.S which have decreased due to its support for Ukraine The ministers are also expected to discuss increased Japanese production of PAC-3 interceptors for export to the United States Navy ships and Air Force aircraft in the region While Japan's role is largely designed to help U.S weapons supply and keep its deterrence credible in the Indo-Pacific amid continuing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine Japanese officials say it will help strengthen the Japanese defense industry a Japanese city that neighbors this airlift hub in western Tokyo is bringing back its popular Tanabata festival in full for the first time in five years which will include parades of traditional folk dancers for the first time since the pandemic Friday and conclude Sunday on the main shopping street that runs west of Fussa Station which began in 1951 as a summer event to promote the shopping street an official with the Fussa city sales promotion section told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday a group of active-duty service members and spouses plan to take their place again at the event a member of the group since 2010 and the spouse of Master Sgt Stephens danced at many festivals with the group until her family relocated to Cannon Air Force Base They returned in 2020 for a second tour in Japan “I have been very fortunate to be a part of this group for almost a decade smelling the food and passing by all the shops that have been decorating the streets of Fussa for many years,” she said Tanabata celebrates the only day of the year when two lovers The three parades are the hallmark of Fussa’s Tanabata Festival The mikoshi and float parade is scheduled from 3:30 p.m that in Shinto beliefs is used to carry a deity from a main shrine to a temporary shrine during a festival The folk dancing parade follows immediately afterward and lasts until 8:40 p.m Any city resident or worker at a company in Fussa may participate in that parade with prior registration features illuminated floats and is scheduled from 7:30 p.m Many government officials speak to the media only on condition of anonymity The Yokota Tanabata Dancers practice 6:30-7:30 p.m Thursdays from March to November at the Taiyo Community Center “Sensei Ayako is a wonderful teacher,” Stephens said “It is easy to pick up and if you mess up,” she said “Honestly no one cares; we just keep a smile on our faces and the crowds are extremely forgiving.” A simple open space used to clear the head or take the dog for a stroll Haragayato Donguri Park is home to a walking path that takes visitors around and through the park's several sections scores of donguri acorns can be found strewn around the grounds A 6-minute walk from Ushihama Station on the JR Ome Line A 9-minute walk from Kumagawa Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line Sitting right along the banks of the Tama River lies the popular green space that is Tamagawa Central Park picnic benches and even a water play area for the children the park's is an obvious draw for the locals whether it's to celebrate the springtime cherry blossoms or to enjoy the river views and atmosphere A 10-minute walk from Kumagawa Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line Another river bank-inspired natural spacer Tamagawa Ryokuchi Fussa-Minami Park sees the Tama River lying along its southern border The park itself features many cherry blossoms lots of river views as well open space for BBQs and picnics Some children's play equipment feature but it's the natural atmosphere that appeals here A 15-minute walk from Hajima Station on the JR Itsukaichi This work, Fussa native receives AF Security Forces of the Year award, by A1C David S. Calcote, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright This work, A shared commitment to safety in Fussa City, by SrA Brooklyn Golightly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright and Japanese airmen and their families spared a recent sunny afternoon to tidy up outside this U.S Volunteers at the May 3 event ended up collecting more than 36 bags of trash according to assistant organizer Yoko Suganuma They also gathered about 15 gallons of recyclable items The annual cleanup is sponsored by Yokota First Four an organization that serves as a voice for the junior enlisted ranks on base Japanese airmen volunteered for the first time since the 374th Communications Squadron began organizing the event in 2012 “I reached out to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and they were quick to respond,” he told Stars and Stripes ahead of the cleanup Volunteers received protective gloves and bags for trash and recyclable items such as plastic a major highway that parallels the length of Yokota and passes three of its gates and onto city streets toward Fussa Station streets and small parks and rendezvoused about two hours later at Higashicho Park near the station Their collected debris was separated into piles to be counted and taken away by the city Naoki Tomiyama was one of several Japanese airmen at the event a busy and important Japanese holiday that lasts from the final week of April into the first week of May “I was excited for today as this was the first time for me and we are happy to participate in this event,” said Tomiyama first sergeant for the Air Self-Defense Force’s Aviation Intelligence Squadron a civilian working for the communications squadron has been picking up trash for the event since its start but I always do things and introduce to the airmen that this is not only just to volunteer but to have fun outside the office and base,” she told Stars and Stripes Suganuma said the event also gets airmen out into the community to meet locals She recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed the cleanup last year but she was glad to see it resume this year “I thought it was like the whole communications squadron came out and supported,” she said A stylish restaurant that opened recently near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo promises to revive your appreciation for Italian cuisine Pisola opened in early March in Fussa but is part of a chain of locations throughout the country it combines a relaxing Bali-resort ambience with outstanding food Part of Pisola’s appeal is that it strives to keep preservatives chemical seasonings and artificial flavors out of its food The Fussa restaurant has seating for more than 180 people My family beat the evening dinner rush to the spacious restaurant and was promptly seated in a very comfortable Curtained booths are also available for a more private dining experience A set menu with a la carte options provides a confusing array of choices but also leaves plenty for future visits We ordered several options from the a la carte menu It came with a side of honey to drizzle on it and was 1,648 yen My wife and I shared a tasty pile of sweet potato fries with maple syrup for dipping fresh mixed-green salad was a welcome addition to her two succulent pieces of fried chicken that were cooked to crispy perfection and free of messy grease chargrilled prime beef with a side of puréed potatoes was prepared well done to my son’s liking Grilled lamb and roasted pork are other options We also sampled the fried gnocchi; the added maple syrup gave it a taste like a pancake We capped off our big meal with dessert that included a rich tiramisu a mascarpone pudding that came with a side of fruit and vanilla ice cream and a new addition to midnight with last orders at 11 p.m.; lunch sets available 11 a.m Prices: Varies anywhere from 1,000 yen to 4,000 yen; a la carte all-you-can-eat and drink options also available Directions: A 5-minute drive from the main gate at Yokota Air Base and attended the New York City School of Performing Arts she received a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from the School of Business Career and Training Fussa began volunteering as an advocate for women victims of domestic violence assisting women who felt helpless and hopeless find safety and security once more After living in Texas for more than 10 years Fussa moved back to New York City and began work as a counselor for Women in Need She continued to advocate for women and their children who suffered through domestic violence helping them set goals and develop parenting skills all while encouraging them to continue their education obtain employment and find stable and affordable living accommodations Fussa served as former President of Urban Women Retreat for Domestic Violence and has remained active as a board member for more than 20 years A lifelong advocate for victims of domestic violence Fussa collects toys from private donors each year so that children and their mothers can have safe and enjoyable holidays Fussa is involved in a number of community organizations including Urban Women Retreat Domestic Violence Her tireless work on behalf of women and children is truly admirable and worthy of praise the section of National Route 16 that runs along the eastern flank of Yokota Air Base The 1950s Americana vibe on Base Side and the streets behind it lend the neighborhood a certain small-town charm The area is filled with restaurants and shops of many types – clothing Some of the knickknack shops have neat vintage items for sale We explored three to see what retro treasures we might find Big Mama is a wooden structure that sticks out among the other shops It’s filled with a ton of vintage items and knickknacks from the 1950s to the 1990s including cups from fast-food restaurants Jack in the Box Big Mama also has quite a few large 1950s-style tin signs for Pepsi-Cola 7UP and Coca-Cola for 3,000 yen or about $23 The shop also sells posters of pop culture icons like Marilyn Monroe James Dean and Elvis Presley and vintage Disneyland posters for 800 yen Posters made from Life magazine covers sell for 1,000 yen Customers can also buy Southwest and United airline badges from the 1960s and 1950s and Continental Airways for 1,500 yen Cool finds at the front of the store included vintage sailor hats called dixie cups and other hats made in Japan The shop also sells Coca-Cola in a bottle for 300 yen While Big Mama has a fine selection of record cases and phonographs the all-female Japanese rockabilly band that is famous in the West for its performance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Just a short walk from Big Mama is the insanely cluttered April Flash The words USA JAPAN are painted on the front of the building and an American flag with the phrase “A touch of the United States of America in Timeless Fussa Tokyo.” The store is overwhelming; there is so much stuff that it is tough to know where to start looking Collectibles fill the store from floor to ceiling with no apparent logic in either display or inventory and merchandise is randomly displayed around the store April Flash is the place to find Beatles keychains and pins with art from Beatles album covers and the animated movie Popeye and even “Beavis and Butt-Head” keychains range from 800 to 1,200 yen Among the odd finds at April Flash is a clock built around Gumby the animated figure of green clay from American TV of the 1960s and ‘70s Action figures from the original 1960s TV series “Batman” sell for 1,600 yen; “Star Trek” action figures go for 7,000 yen swings to the other side of the Boomer rock era with a display of Rolling Stones paraphernalia including the lips-and-tongue logo in the store window The claim is that the sign was somehow included in Rolling Stones performances Like Narnia from its namesake “Chronicles of Narnia” book series the merchandise here is pricier than things in April Flash or Big Mama which is understandable given all its breakable and expensive items including amplifiers and guitars from the 1960s to 1980s The shop has a selection of Japanese items including enamel signboards of Japanese advertisements from Showa-era Japan and pop-culture posters from 1950s and ‘60s kaiju Narnia stands out for its inventory of secondhand military items It sells hydration backpacks for 7,800 yen For collectors of vintage themed and authentic retro items I recommend checking out these stores on Route 16 Directions: A short walk from Yokota Air Base’s Supply Gate Monday through Wednesday and Friday; 11 a.m Directions: A short walk from Yokota Air Base’s Main Gate Bon Odori dancing and mikoshi float parades We have now entered the summer festival season in Tokyo, and this weekend is a good example of how lively the city can be during this time of year One of the main reasons why we are particularly excited about this weekend is that the festivities are varied so there’s something for different interests.  This annual fireworks festival happening along the banks of the Arakawa River has a long history dating back to 1924 the organisers are launching 13,000 shells of fireworks for over an hour on Saturday You can enjoy the fireworks from either the Nishi-Arai or Senju side of the Arakawa River There are several parks along the banks, including the Arakawa Nishiarai Bridge Green Space on which you can set up a picnic to watch the show So just show up early with a picnic mat and claim a good spot at the sites mentioned above.  The main attraction of the annual Bon Odori festival at Zojoji Temple involves a throng of participants circling the yagura tower as the rhythmic beats of taiko drums guide your steps in the traditional dance The Bon Odori dance is simple and communal you'll soon find yourself moving in sync with the crowd you'll find dozens of food stalls serving up popular Japanese street food from savoury yakitori skewers to icy kakigori The festival is especially picturesque after sundown as Tokyo Tower lights up to add an extra element to the festivities It's a sight to behold and a testament to Tokyo's vibrant blend of the old and the new the festival that celebrates the star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi takes place across Japan in early July (and some in August) You'll find one of Tokyo's longest-running iterations of this event in the western town of Fussa While other such festivals tend to be fairly low-key affairs this one (now into its 74th year) is packed with events including a Princess Orihime contest and a folk dance parade with mikoshi floats The latter is making a comeback on Friday after being absent for the past five years There are also shows and cheerleading performances on Sunday plenty of food stalls around Fussa Station throughout the duration of the festival For more things to do in Tokyo this weekend, check out our curated list of weekend events Ticket discounts and late Friday openings at top Tokyo museums this summer 8 best places to see glorious sunflowers in and near Tokyo teamLab is bringing back its amazing digital art forest in Kyushu for the summer Thousands of lanterns will be floating on the Chidorigafuchi Moat at this festival Enoshima island is hosting a free projection mapping event this summer Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. Japan - Airmen assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing plant flowers alongside members of the Fussa City community during a city beautification project at Fussa City The project was an opportunity for Team Yokota to strengthen its ties and friendship with Japanese neighbors outside the gates Japanese people are used to having a machine bring them food the conveyor belts in some of the country’s sushi restaurants have been joined by robot waiters Sushi has been moving around on belts since the first such device was installed in an Osaka eatery in 1958 according to the Los Angeles Times in September 2001 a chain of restaurants that operates an outlet in Fussa city Some Americans call Totoyamichi “Screaming Sushi” because the chefs yell out greetings to customers and are quite vocal while they’re slicing up raw fish for orders the restaurant has also been using wheeled robots to deliver food The machines are being rolled out to more than 1,000 diners Japan-wide The serving robots have pointy ears and screens that can display cat-like eyes or information about orders They’re being introduced to boost customer satisfaction and provide staff with a better working environment The machines reduce wait times for orders and allow staff to spend more time interacting with diners “A cute robot’s facial expressions and talk bring comfort to customers,” Skylark said in October more time to learn new skills and reduce their workload Similar robot waiters have been popping up at yakiniku and shabu-shabu eateries Diners have used tablet computers at tables and counters to place orders at Totoyamichi in recent years and that hasn’t changed the chefs will make it behind the belt and hand it to you The experience doesn’t really alter the dining status quo but the coming of robots seems like a taste of the future Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report Forces Japan in western Tokyo got a little cheaper Wednesday when an on-base filling station brought back regular unleaded fuel started selling 87 octane fuel for $3.54 a gallon on Wednesday morning In recent years the only gasoline option for motorists at the base had been premium 93 octane gas which is still available at Yokota’s East Side Express at $4.34 a gallon “This is a great Quality of Life enhancement for service members and their families,” Air Force Col the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s Pacific Region commander The exchange also sells regular gasoline at other U.S including Camp Zama in Kanagawa prefecture military bases in Japan have soared in recent years Premium grade gas hit $5.31 a gallon at Yokota in March 2022 prompting some military motorists to head off base Regular was still selling for 159 yen a liter at a service station just outside Yokota’s main gate on Wednesday The change to regular will help the Fussa Express compete with off-base retailers a customer account specialist for Defense Logistics Agency Energy Japan ahead of a ceremony marking the change at the gas station Demand will likely be high once the Yokota community hears about the cheaper gas Regular was sold at Yokota until about four years ago when the base pumps converted to premium AAFES wanted to bring the cheaper product back last year; however it took time to find a vendor who could deliver to the base One of the first to gas up on regular at Yokota was Air Force spouse Sarah Minor The mother of four paid $45 to fill up her Honda Stepwagon with 12.7 gallons “It used to cost $80 to fill up,” she said The change will make a big difference for airmen personnel stationed in Japan don’t drive new cars and the change will “put money back in our airmen and families’ pockets.” Fueling an engine designed for premium fuel with regular gas will not harm it but regular gasoline may cause engine knock that speeds up engine wear and tear over time The exchange sets overseas pump prices based on the U.S Department of Energy’s weekly average for each grade of gasoline in the continental United States incremental costs the exchange incurs in each overseas market The story of a US military base and the city of Fussa By The clock strikes twenty-three hundred a stretch of dives and karaoke joints that make up the entertainment district in the city of Fussa this city is home to 14,000 US military members Fussa is not revered for being part of the quintessential Japanese cultural experience there are too many people with prominent tattoos but most evenings you are likely to encounter only brooders who skulk through the pink and purple neon streets after sundown I spotted one bar with its doors wide open to exhibit three topless Japanese men singing heavy metal songs their backs intricately inked from belt to hairline A bartender tells me quite a few members of the yakuza hang out here “maybe it’s just lots of guys missing fingers.” Maybe it’s because few people here were born in Japan They are peripheral characters and understand what it is like to go days without conversation This was why Noah and his pal Sean demanded I join them for a beer Noah works in flight maintenance and hails from South Carolina The pair first met while on tour in Afghanistan Noah was on his second round when Sean arrived to “detonate IEDs from the air.” Tonight Sean’s duty is to serve as Noah’s drinking buddy—a requirement after 10 pm for any serviceperson who lives on base since these residents have a 1 AM curfew to keep telling me the next plan is to see a local stripper “who dances like she’s from Atlanta.” Noah kinda like the FBI that does undercover checks,” a man named Chris informs me later a rockabilly bar where the staff treat him as a friend and not a punter “I don’t like to say all people are idiots but you meet some on the base who are just… Neanderthals.” He talks at length about the future of military technology: “self-sufficient drones like in Terminator” and “homing death-ray cluster bombs.” But by the time the clock hits 12:45 AM The initial reasoning was to clamp down on brawls and DUIs I’m an incident away from tightening restrictions,” warned the exasperated base commander Colonel Jeff Newell in 2008 echoing every fictitious colonel in the history of Western pop culture the curfew became permanent after two sailors in Okinawa—Christopher Browning and Skyler Dozierwalker both twenty-three at the time—raped a Japanese woman in her twenties after a boozy night in town This caused a storm amongst military personnel nationwide who felt they were being unjustly punished for the heinous act the most vocal of all protests came from the local business owners It was bullshit,” said Eddie as he drove me home one night in an old white van he stands out with his silver teddy-boy quiff leather jacket and two different brands of cigarette that he alternates between when smoking He has run Eddie’s for forty-two years now when Fussa was Tokyo-to’s response to Haight-Ashbury a zone where Japanese youth co-opted aspects of the American counterculture utilizing the vast agricultural spaces in the area to stage regular gigs This counterculture emerged as a by-product of the Korean War when an influx of marshalled servicemen caused a housing shortage within the base Approximately 1,523 simple stucco GI Houses had to be constructed between 1954 and 1960 the subsequent decline in US residents left many of the houses empty Those who invaded next were swaths of broke Japanese kids They transformed the district into a series of communes based on records from old council meetings rattled more cages than the US military possibly could at the time said this swerve into hippiedom stemmed from issues relating to disaffected youth his interest extended to the lives of the young couples Sakano documented their existence in his photo-book Talking About Fussa which explored alienation in the community “When I first came,” he wrote in the afterword of the book “it appeared that the young people living in the houses were rather ignored… [Local] inhabitants tended to look down on people living on the hill.” They were seen as deviants and locals reveled in being dismissed as perverse hedonists Silent frowns grew more voluminous when one resident shot to national fame with his debut novel A semi-autobiographical collection of fragmented psychedelic scenes his unapologetic decision to dive into the debauchery the orgies and constant drug trips sparked controversy The local council immediately went into panic mode In reaction to the novel’s killer lines such as I’m sick of just fucking,” councillors heralded the apocalypse The mayor was pressed to intervene for fear that “other young people will come to Fussa City to live in the atmosphere described in the novel,” but sadly Fussa did not crumble because of those kids with their sex and drugs and rock’n’roll The downfall came when Nixon’s floating monetary system strengthened the yen and hit local businesses hard in 1973 thirty percent of the shopping district had shut down and the cheaply constructed GI Houses fell to pieces the city was little better than a wasteland which sold military chic and a myriad of ethnic Asian migrants arrived in the latter part of the decade to set up restaurants and bars Both she and Eddie were service industry veterans by the time that their bars made the official list of venues verboten between 1 and 6 AM in 2005 They rarely look back on this period with fondness Neighborhood bars were losing almost eighty percent of their clientele It was a challenge then and remains so to a certain extent today what keeps the city on its feet is the camaraderie of oddballs who know how to adapt while looking out for one another The present is volatile and often determined by US foreign policy Most places remain in existence because they do not let these situations affect morale so much so that newcomers are treated like regulars almost immediately These people take the halfway house and make it a home It’s why Fussa remains such a curious anomaly At the core of the eerie interzone is a place of transient but sincere friendship From purple sweet potatoes to wild horse sightings here’s how to make the most of Okinawa’s tropical escape Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo’s fashion scene From vintage clothing to Hawaiian-themed goods here’s what’s worth checking out before it’s gone From buying and registering a bike to key rules of the road Collagen staples for beauty and health in Japan Our handpicked list of the best events going on this month and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community Everything you need to know before and during a natural disaster Stay up to date with Tokyo news and events A new yakiniku restaurant — a popular dining choice in Japan in which diners grill their own meat — opened recently near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo tried dinner there in mid-March after it had garnered great reviews sign and menu on a stand invite patrons into a cozy two-floor setup with private booths and tables Counter seating with room for four is available on the first floor; the main dining area is on the second floor provide a nice touch of the comfort you experience at home I needed Google to translate the Japanese menu but they were able to get everything right for us and provided a great dining experience during our visit The menu choices are plentiful and include cuts of beef a variety of Wagyu that comes from a black-haired cattle breed out of Gifu prefecture The distinctive fat marbling sets it apart from other types of Wagyu a Hida beef steak and a tasty bowl of Hida beef minced rice especially when you can do it at your own table in a restaurant You have complete control over how you want the meat cooked The veggies we ordered supplemented the meat perfectly There were also a number of beverages to choose from Individual selections we chose cost us 3,500 yen We went away paying approximately 24,000 yen Prices: Course options cost between 8,000 and 15,000 yen Directions: A short drive or 15-minute walk from Yokota Air Base’s main gate large family homes with lawns were built near Yokota Air Base in the Fussa area of Tokyo and elsewhere for U.S armed-services members and their dependents military houses,” numbered as many as 2,000 at one point in Fussa alone artists and musicians who appreciated their nostalgic foreign feel transformed them into creative spaces Many were torn down after they became dilapidated but the ones that remain have a striking presence military families around; you felt like you were practically in the United States,” Yasuko Morishige said lives along Rt.?16 and manages an insurance agency started by her husband She recalled offering their services to U.S With the beginning of the Korean War in 1950 military moved troops and their dependents to the area for long-term stays The lodgings at Yokota Air Base were insufficient to meet the demand so landowners nearby converted farmland into residential plots they rented Most of the houses are single-story wooden dwellings — each with three bedrooms and a combined living The living rooms and kitchens are spacious and the bathrooms have showers with hot water and toilets with plumbing — both unusual features for Japan in those days Toward the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970s many service members started returning home — creating vacancies young artists and musicians enamored of American culture began settling in Only 100 such structures still stand in Fussa Community activist Katsuya Tomita has recently worked to revitalize the region by making use of the houses he leased a house and turned it into a community center “These buildings are sometimes referred to as ‘monuments to Japan’s defeat under the U.S they’re a piece of Fussa’s history that shouldn’t be left to rot." there is "The TINY INN," a Tiny House for overnight stays operated by "Car Life Service Tama Sharyo "Delta EAST," has a food truck and skating bowls deputy director of the non-profit organization "FLAG," which is responsible for the planning and operation of these two facilities is excited to bring a new wind to the city of Fussa through food we have been thinking about the future of the city of Fussa with two great seniors whom we admire and who have built the city's urban development culture and food culture you created "The TINY INN" and "Delta EAST" because you were attracted to the city of Fussa there is an atmosphere here similar to that of Portland have your feelings changed from when you started You said that you don't just create a "place" but also a "situation" that takes place there Cooperation / Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau 17 March 2023 – The Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo Japan received a delegation from the English Club The programme was organised by Children Meet Countries (CMC) – a non-profit organization which aims to promote intercultural activities between students and foreign embassies in Tokyo A total of 10 students participated in the programme They were briefed on Malaysia’s multicultural advantages and education system and had a fun and interactive session in learning basic Malay language They were also given a chance to play “congkak” – a traditional Malay board game The students also took the opportunity to present an introductory briefing on their English Club as well as activities conducted with their sister school in Malaysia – Chung Hua High School Seremban Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser While many have cursed the early arrival of rainy season this year the moisture-loving insects such as the firefly are likely to be in heaven must be hoping that the rain stays off this Saturday evening for the annual Firefly Festival Large numbers of visitors from the surrounding areas are expected to swarm to the city's Hotaru Park to watch the riverbanks light up The best viewing time is said to be from around 7 p.m there will also be a whole host of traditional food stalls and other festivities taking place along the town's streets throughout the day.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The appropriately named Hotaru Park ("hotaru" is the Japanese word for "firefly") is situated next to the city's meandering Tsuri River Local hearsay has it that the lightening bugs are secretly released for the festival by a small group of locals that breed them during the year Both the river and the park have since become notable for their abundant amount of fireflies with local authorities having even invested in a special hotaru no yakata (firefly house) to watch the seasonal display from While the celebrations are just a one-day event the fireflies will be around for a few weeks longer A stroll along the riverside toward the mountains could make for a pleasant summer evening The Firefly Festival takes place at Hotaru Park in Fussa The park is a five-minute walk from Ushihama Station on the Ome Line and Kumagawa Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line Japanese version