Yokosuka Japan PCS Guide: Housing, Schools & Tokyo Living

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Yokosuka Naval Base hosts 20,000+ personnel with US Navy 7th Fleet headquarters and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) homeport. Located 40 miles south of Tokyo on mainland Japan, it offers urban Japanese culture, Tokyo access, and Asia travel—but EXPENSIVE housing (¥180,000-280,000/month = $1,200-1,900 USD), ship life challenges (underways, deployments), and competitive Japanese economy.

Key Numbers:

OHA vs. Rent: Tight fit (Japanese rent ¥180,000-280,000/month, OHA covers but expensive)
Median 3BR Rent: ¥220,000-260,000/month (~$1,500-1,750 USD, Tokyo proximity premium)
School Quality: Good (DoDEA schools 7-8/10, Yokosuka is DoDEA Japan flagship)
Deployment Tempo: HIGH (7th Fleet = forward-deployed, 6-9 month deployments + underways)

What This Guide Covers: Mainland Japan living, ship life reality, Tokyo proximity perks, DoDEA schools, and forward-deployed Navy tempo.

Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

Official Name: Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY)
Location: Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan (40 miles south of Tokyo)
Size: 568 acres (compact urban base)
Population: 20,000+ (7,000 active duty + 13,000 family/civilians)
Branch: Navy (7th Fleet headquarters)
Major Units: US Navy 7th Fleet HQ, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), Destroyer Squadron 15, Naval Hospital Yokosuka
Mission: Forward-deployed naval operations, Indo-Pacific presence, carrier strike group ops
Climate: Temperate (mild winters 35-50°F, hot summers 75-90°F, humid 70% year-round, typhoons Aug-Oct)
Nearest City: Yokosuka IS a city (400K population), Tokyo 40 miles north (1 hour train)

Want official data? Check DTMO OHA Calculator for current overseas housing rates and DoDEA Schools for school information.

Housing & OHA

No BAH at Yokosuka - You Get OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance)

OHA works differently than BAH:

Covers ACTUAL rent + utilities (not a fixed amount like BAH)
Submit landlord lease + utility bills for reimbursement
Ceiling rates limit maximum reimbursement (varies by rank/dependents)
Move-in costs covered separately (key money, agent fees = expensive in Japan)

Current OHA Rates: Check official DTMO OHA Calculator → (rates update monthly with yen exchange).

MIHA (Move-In Housing Allowance): One-time yen payment that reimburses key money, agent fees, and appliances. Housing Office files once your lease is signed.
Utility/Recurring Maintenance Allowance: Paid monthly with OHA to cover electric, water, gas, and trash. Tokyo power rates spike in summer—budget more when AC runs nonstop.

Reality Check: OHA BARELY covers Yokosuka rent—¥180,000-280,000/month ($1,200-1,900 USD) is EXPENSIVE (Tokyo proximity = premium). Utilities are ¥20,000-30,000/month ($130-200). Expect to break even (no OHA surplus like Okinawa).

Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier Off-Base (Best for Families)

1. Yokosuka City Center (Base Area)

Distance: Adjacent to base (5-15 min walk)
Median 3BR Rent: ¥200,000-250,000/month (~$1,350-1,700 USD)
Schools: Sullivans Elementary/Yokosuka Middle (DoDEA 7/10, walk to base)
Why Here: Walk to base, English-friendly shops, strong Navy community
Commute: Walking distance (5-15 min)
Reality: Most popular for ship-attached sailors—walk to base (critical for underways = 0500 reports), English menus, Navy community. Rent is HIGH (¥200,000-250,000) but OHA covers. Urban Japanese city living.

2. Zushi/Hayama (Beach Towns)

Distance: 5-10 miles north (15-25 min via Route 134/Yokosuka Line)
Median 3BR Rent: ¥220,000-280,000/month
Schools: Zushi Elementary (off-base, 15 min)
Why Here: Beach living, upscale (Tokyo weekender area), scenic
Commute: Yokosuka Line train or Route 134—moderate traffic (15-30 min)
Reality: Best for shore duty/families with older kids—beautiful beach towns (Mt. Fuji views), upscale Japanese living, but MOST EXPENSIVE (¥220,000-280,000 = may exceed OHA ceiling for E5-E6). Good for officers/senior enlisted.

3. Kurihama (North Yokosuka)

Distance: 3 miles northeast (10-15 min via Route 16)
Median 3BR Rent: ¥180,000-220,000/month
Schools: Kinser Elementary (10-15 min drive)
Why Here: Cheaper than base area, quiet Japanese suburb, good train access
Commute: Route 16 southwest or Keikyu Line—light traffic (10-20 min)
Reality: Good value (¥180,000-220,000 = cheaper than base area), quiet residential Japanese neighborhood, Keikyu Line to Tokyo (1 hour = doable weekend trips).

Mid-Tier Off-Base (Good Value)

4. Yokohama South (Kanazawa)

Distance: 15 miles north (30-40 min via Route 16/Yokosuka Line)
Median 3BR Rent: ¥200,000-240,000/month
Schools: Negishi Housing Area schools (20-30 min)
Why Here: Big city (Yokohama = 3.7M population), shopping, culture
Commute: Yokosuka Line train—moderate traffic (30-45 min)
Reality: Best for families who want city amenities—Yokohama is major city (shopping, dining, culture), but longer commute (30-45 min). Good for shore duty (not ship-attached).

On-Base Housing (CRITICAL - Long Wait)

Yokosuka On-Base Housing:

Locations: Ikego Housing Area (off-base, 15 min), Negishi Housing (Yokohama, 30 min)
Units: 1,500+ (2BR-4BR apartments, towers)
Wait Times: 12-24 months typical (VERY long)
Cost: $0 rent (covered by OHA), utilities capped
Pros: No Japanese landlord issues, English community, no key money
Cons: VERY long wait (12-24 months), Ikego/Negishi NOT walking distance (15-30 min drive)

Reality: On-base housing is highly desired—no Japanese landlord challenges, no key money (¥300,000-500,000 upfront = $2,000-3,300), English community—but wait times are VERY long (12-24 months). Most families go off-base (can't wait 2 years). Ikego/Negishi are OFF-BASE housing (not walking distance = need car).

Japanese Housing Reality (CRITICAL)

Unique Japan Challenges:

Key Money (Reikin): ¥300,000-500,000 non-refundable "gift" to landlord ($2,000-3,300) - OHA covers via MIHA
Deposit (Shikikin): 1-2 months rent (refundable) - OHA covers
Agent Fees: 1 month rent (non-refundable) - OHA covers
Renewal Fees: ¥100,000-200,000 every 2 years ($660-1,300)
No Furnishings: Japanese apartments = EMPTY (no appliances, no light fixtures, no A/C)

Pro Tip: USE YOKOSUKA HOUSING OFFICE—they have pre-approved landlords. Going off-list = risk of discrimination (some Japanese landlords refuse foreigners = LEGAL in Japan). Budget ¥700,000-1,000,000 upfront ($4,600-6,600) for key money + deposit + agent + appliances (OHA reimburses but YOU pay upfront).

Schools

DoDEA Schools (Department of Defense Education Activity)

Why DoDEA: American curriculum, English language, no Japanese language requirement, free for military families.

Yokosuka Area DoDEA Schools:

Sullivans Elementary School (K-5) - 7/10 rating - On-base, 500 students
Kinser Elementary School (K-5) - 7/10 rating - Kurihama (off-base), 400 students
Yokosuka Middle School (6-8) - 7/10 rating - On-base, 400 students
Nile C. Kinnick High School (9-12) - 8/10 rating - On-base, 700 students (DoDEA Japan flagship)

Reality: DoDEA schools are good (7-8/10). Nile C. Kinnick HS is 8/10 (DoDEA Japan flagship, strong AP programs, college prep, Tokyo field trips). Schools are ON-BASE (walk from base = convenient for ship-attached families).

Registration: Register through DoDEA.edu IMMEDIATELY after PCS orders (schools fill up, especially kindergarten and 9th grade).

Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 15-20% higher vs. US (Tokyo area = EXPENSIVE, most expensive Japan)
Housing: OHA covers rent but BARELY (¥180,000-280,000 = highest Japan)
Groceries: Commissary saves 40% vs Japanese grocery (Tokyo area pricey)
Gas: $5-6/gallon (¥160-180/liter) - expensive, but train cheaper
Currency: Yen (¥150 = ~$1.00 USD typical, fluctuates)

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

Rent (3BR Yokosuka City): ¥220,000 (~$1,470 USD - OHA covers)
Utilities (electric, water, internet): ¥25,000 (~$170 - OHA partial)
Groceries: ¥100,000 (~$670 - commissary + Japanese grocery)
Transportation: ¥20,000 (~$130 - train pass + gas)
Childcare (if needed): ¥70,000-100,000/month (Japanese daycare) or $0 (CDC on-base, 6-12 month wait)
Misc (dining, entertainment): ¥50,000 (~$330)

Total: ¥485,000/month (~$3,230 USD with childcare) or ¥415,000 (~$2,770 without)

COLA Reality: E5 with dependents gets ~$500-700/month COLA (2025 rates). This helps offset higher costs but Tokyo area is EXPENSIVE. Expect to break even (not save). Yokosuka = cultural experience + Tokyo access, NOT savings assignment.

State Taxes: NO state income tax while OCONUS (bonus!)

Pro Tip: Use commissary + train system—Japanese groceries are 40-50% more expensive (Tokyo proximity). Gas is $5-6/gallon BUT Tokyo train system is BEST (¥20,000/month pass = unlimited travel = cheaper than car). Urban living = higher costs but better access.

COLA (Cost of Living Allowance)

Current COLA: E5 with dependents = ~$500-700/month (varies quarterly)
Check Official Rates: DTMO COLA Calculator →
Reality: COLA helps but doesn't fully cover Tokyo area costs. Break-even assignment.

Ship Life Reality (CRITICAL)

7th Fleet = Forward-Deployed:

Deployments: 6-9 months typical (Indo-Pacific ops, Persian Gulf rotations)
Underways: 1-2 weeks/month (when in port), 0500-0700 reports common
Maintenance: Dry dock periods (3-6 months = no underways but long hours)
Reality: Ship-attached = demanding schedule—underways every 2-3 weeks (even "in port"), deployments 6-9 months, 12+ hour days common. Spouses must be VERY self-sufficient (solo parenting 6-9 months/year).

Shore Duty: 7th Fleet staff, Naval Hospital, base support = 9-to-5 culture (much more stable).

Pro Tip: Walk-to-base housing CRITICAL for ship-attached—0500 reports for underways are COMMON (last-minute duty calls). Living 30 min away = miserable. Walk-to-base = prioritize.

Tokyo Access (GAME-CHANGER)

Why Yokosuka is Special:

Tokyo 1 hour: Yokosuka Line train to Tokyo Station (¥1,000 = $6.50)
Weekend Trips: Tokyo (Shibuya, Harajuku, Akihabara), Mt. Fuji (2 hours), Kyoto (3 hours bullet train)
Culture: Sumo tournaments, temples, cherry blossoms, festivals
Shopping: Ginza, Akihabara (electronics), Harajuku (fashion)

Popular Trips:

Tokyo City: 1 hour train, Shibuya crossing, Senso-ji temple, Tokyo Skytree
Mt. Fuji: 2 hours, hiking (Jul-Sep), Fuji Five Lakes, onsen hot springs
Kyoto: 3 hours bullet train, temples, geishas, traditional culture
Hakone: 1.5 hours, onsen hot springs, Mt. Fuji views, black eggs

Pro Tip: Tokyo access is UNMATCHED—¥20,000/month train pass ($130) = unlimited travel to Tokyo. Families who don't explore Tokyo regret it. Weekend trips to Tokyo are VERY common (1 hour = closer than most US bases to major cities).

SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement)

What SOFA Protects:

Early Lease Termination: PCS orders = no penalty
Driver's License: US license valid + SOFA license (no Japanese test required)
Legal Protection: US military law applies (not Japanese criminal law for most offenses)
Taxation: No Japanese income tax (covered by SOFA)

What SOFA Doesn't Cover:

Traffic Violations: Japanese police ticket you (heavy fines, lose license fast)
Landlord Disputes: Housing Office helps but Japanese rental law applies
Criminal Acts: Serious crimes = Japanese prosecution (DUI, assault)

Pro Tip: SOFA violations = BIG DEAL—Yokosuka is urban Japan (high visibility). ONE DUI = international incident (Liberty restrictions for ALL personnel). Follow Japanese laws RELIGIOUSLY.

What's It Like to Live at Yokosuka?

7th Fleet Forward-Deployed Reality:
Yokosuka is US Navy's forward-deployed Japan hub—HIGH operational tempo, 6-9 month deployments, constant underways. Most jobs are:

Ship-Attached (CVN-76, destroyers): HIGH tempo (deployments 6-9 months, underways 1-2 weeks/month, 12+ hour days)
7th Fleet Staff: MODERATE tempo (HQ operations, occasional TDYs)
Shore Duty (hospital, base support): LOW tempo (9-to-5, stable)

Quality of Life (Pros):

✅ Tokyo access (1 hour train = weekend trips common)
✅ Mainland Japan (authentic culture, not island isolation)
✅ Asia travel hub (Seoul 2hr, Taipei 3hr, Shanghai 3hr)
✅ DoDEA schools (7-8/10, Kinnick HS is flagship)
✅ No state income tax (while OCONUS)
✅ Cultural immersion (temples, sumo, cherry blossoms, festivals)

Quality of Life (Cons):

❌ HIGH deployment (ship life = 6-9 months, underways constant)
❌ EXPENSIVE (rent ¥180,000-280,000, utilities high, Tokyo proximity premium)
❌ Long on-base wait (12-24 months)
❌ Solo parenting (spouses alone 6-9 months/year)
❌ Competitive housing (Tokyo area = tight market)
❌ Language barrier (off-base = Japanese required)

Honest Assessment:
Yokosuka is best for sailors who accept ship life demands—HIGH deployment tempo (6-9 months), constant underways (1-2 weeks/month), solo parenting reality—but Tokyo access (1 hour), mainland Japan culture, and Asia travel are AMAZING. Best for: Ship-attached sailors who embrace forward-deployed life, spouses who are self-sufficient, families who explore Tokyo/Japan. Worst for: Families who need stability (ship life = demanding), those who want savings (expensive), or those who hate urban living.

Cost of Living Breakdown

Real Numbers (E5 with Dependents):

Yokosuka City Example (Most Popular):

Rent: ¥220,000/month (~$1,470 USD - OHA covers)
Utilities: ¥25,000/month (~$170 - OHA partial)
Commute: Walk to base (minimal gas)
Groceries: ¥100,000/month (~$670 commissary + Japanese)
Childcare: ¥85,000/month (~$570 Japanese daycare) or $0 (CDC)
Misc: ¥50,000 (~$330)

Total Monthly: ¥480,000 (~$3,200 USD with childcare) or ¥395,000 (~$2,640 without)

COLA + OHA Reality:
E5 COLA = ~$500-700/month (Jan 2025 DTMO table). OHA covers rent but NO surplus (Tokyo area = expensive). Total allowances cover MOST costs but Yokosuka is pricey—expect to break even (not save). Recheck COLA monthly at the DTMO COLA Calculator →.

Savings Potential: Minimal—Yokosuka is break-even assignment (most expensive Japan). Budget for Tokyo exploration instead of savings.

Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality:
Better than Okinawa (Tokyo proximity = more opportunities) but still challenging. On-base jobs competitive.

Top Spouse Employers:

Yokosuka Base (NAF/GS jobs): Commissary, NEX, CDC, services ($12-20/hr or GS-5 to GS-9)
DODEA Schools: Teachers, aides, substitutes ($40K-65K/year - competitive)
Naval Hospital Yokosuka: Nursing, admin, medical ($45K-75K/year)
Remote Work: Best option if US employer allows overseas (VPN required)
Tokyo Economy: Possible (English teaching, tech companies, but competitive)

Reality Check: Spouse employment is better than Okinawa—on-base jobs plentiful (large base), Tokyo economy has English-speaking jobs (English teachers, tech), remote work is BEST option if possible.

Childcare:

CDC (on-base): $600-1,200/month (rank-based), 6-12 month wait list
Japanese daycare: ¥70,000-100,000/month, Japanese language immersion
Apply EARLY: CDC wait list is long—apply day you get orders

Common Questions About Yokosuka

Q: Is Yokosuka a good assignment?
A: Yes, if you embrace ship life + Tokyo access. Yokosuka offers forward-deployed Navy ops, Tokyo proximity (1 hour), mainland Japan culture, and Asia travel—but HIGH deployment (6-9 months), expensive living (¥180,000-280,000 rent), and solo parenting reality are real. Best for ship-focused families. Tough for those who need stability.

Q: How bad is ship life really?
A: HIGH tempo—6-9 month deployments, underways 1-2 weeks/month (when in port), 0500 reports common. Spouses solo parent 6-9 months/year. Not 9-to-5. Shore duty = much more stable.

Q: Can we save money here?
A: NO—Tokyo area is EXPENSIVE. Rent ¥180,000-280,000, utilities high, groceries 40% more expensive. COLA ($500-700/month) + OHA help but don't fully cover. Break-even assignment, not savings.

Q: Is Tokyo access worth it?
A: YES—UNMATCHED. 1 hour train to Tokyo ($6.50), weekend trips common, cultural immersion (temples, sumo, cherry blossoms). Many families consider Tokyo access the #1 perk.

Q: Can my spouse find work?
A: Better than Okinawa. On-base jobs plentiful (large base), Tokyo economy has English teaching jobs, remote work is still best option for most spouses.

Q: How long is on-base housing wait?
A: 12-24 months—VERY long. Most families go off-base initially. Ikego/Negishi housing are OFF-BASE (15-30 min drive, not walking distance).

Q: How are DoDEA schools?
A: Good (7-8/10). Nile C. Kinnick HS is 8/10 (DoDEA Japan flagship, strong AP, Tokyo field trips). Schools are on-base (convenient for ship-attached families).

Next Steps

Planning Your Yokosuka PCS

1. Check Official OHA Rates
DTMO OHA Calculator → (rates change monthly)

2. Register DoDEA Schools EARLY
DoDEA School Registration → (kindergarten and 9th grade fill fast)

3. Learn Basic Japanese
Duolingo, Babbel, or base Japanese classes (free) - off-base requires basics

4. Calculate Your Budget
Use our PCS Copilot → to generate your custom 180-day timeline with JTR-compliant entitlements.

Based on Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Official regulations →

5. Prioritize Walk-to-Base Housing (Ship-Attached)
0500 underway reports = walking distance CRITICAL

6. Ask Questions
Use Ask Military Expert → for specific Yokosuka questions.

Official Resources & References

This guide synthesizes data from official Department of Defense and Japanese sources. For additional information:

Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) - OHA rates, COLA rates, per diem
Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - PCS entitlements and regulations
DoDEA Schools - Department of Defense Education Activity school information
MilitaryOneSource - Free 24/7 counseling and family support
CFAY Official Site - Base information, contacts, welcome packets
US Navy 7th Fleet - 7th Fleet official information

Last verified: January 24, 2025. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.

Yokosuka Japan PCS Guide - Housing & Local Intel