Seattle-Misawa-Yokota?

Author Message   James H. Coppens Intermediate Member Username: Coppens1 Post Number: 123 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.26.113.146 Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 01:50 pm:    I did a trip report last November on this subject. It should be in the archives. JC   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 1050 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.167 Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 10:11 am:    Hi Nelly! Good to hear from you again. Actually, SOFA sponsored SPATS can arrive at any port into Japan since they are cleared into the country by USFJ Customs and Immigration officials (Security Forces) and do not have to go through Government of Japan Immigration and Customs officials. So this should only apply to Non-SOFA travelers. Take care!   Nelly Senior Member Username: Nelly Post Number: 990 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 90.194.233.17 Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 08:16 am:    Hi Tom, "ONLY Kadena and Yokota are acceptable ports-of-entries for non-SOFA passengers (Retirees/Dependents not stationed in Japan/Japanese passport holders)." This should have been an SOP for all SPATS. I think this is just being ignored or they are not paying attention. I wish that paxrep from Seatac can catch it or implement it automatically prior to checking in so nobody can get away from it. At least, that will eliminate the problem on non SOFA traveler.   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 1049 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.167 Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 07:05 am:    Hi Krystan...I still am in the clouds. When one walks off a military base, no one checks your I.D. card or passport and when re-enteriing a base, they do not ask for passports, only an I.D. card, so what prevents people from walking off base. I think this is a myth. Can someone correct me? Anyway, I think Misawa is a bad choice as a port-of-entry for non-SOFA travelers which is specifically why I have been preaching for 3 yeras now ... ONLY Kadena and Yokota are acceptable ports-of-entries for non-SOFA passengers (Retirees/Dependents not stationed in Japan/Japanese passport holders).   Krystan G New member Username: Kg1234 Post Number: 5 Registered: 04-2010 Posted From: 203.105.93.86 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 11:28 am:    Okay, well I eventually did fly from Seattle to Misawa in the hopes of flying on to Yokota. The representative at the Seattle and Yokota terminal told me that I should have a good chance of getting on a flight to Yokota from Misawa since there are several flights in. However, when I got to Misawa, the representative there was very negative about any chance of me flying out. Apparently, there are flights from Misawa to Yokota, but they are mostly C-12s and when there are onboard, they can request to not fill the remaining seats. There was a C-12 leaving to Yokota the day after my arrival, but I was not able to get on due to the fact that my suitcase was too heavy. I had a 70 pound suitcase, 2 heavy carryons, a carseat, and a big double stroller. On the C-12, you can only have 30 pounds total baggage per person. So, while train was an option, I was told it was 7500 yen/person, the 3 hour trip with 2 kids under the age of 3 with al my junk was not a good option. However, I was told by someone who frequently made the trip from Misawa to Yokota, that there was also the option of flying commercial for about 17000 yen with cheaper tickets available for children. In my situation, my husband decided to just make the trip to come get me. We were told it was a 6 hour one way trip(this guy was on a motorcycle though), and my husband did it in 7-8 hours. With the children it was a bit longer, and the tolls were about 13000 yen for one way. I hope this helps anyone else trying to make this same trip. Also, this trip was very enjoyable and easy with a much shorter trip than the one from Seattle to Yokota, flight wise that is. We had plenty of room with tons of empty seats around us. Tom-I do not know all of the rules ad regulations, but there were a few people on my flight who had their passports taken away from them until Japanese officials could check them through customs. The people were not detained on the airplane, but they were also not allowed to leave the base. I think they were treated as someone would be when they are sponsored on a base. I'm sorry I do not know more information, but perhaps that can give you a better understanding.   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 1048 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.184 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 08:13 am:    "If you arrive any other day then you will not get stamped and will be forced to stay on base and hope they have billeting available." I have always been intrigued by this statement which I've heard many times. I don't know of any case where United States military personnel can "FORCE" a civilian to remain in custody on board a United States military installation unless that person has been accused of having commited a crime. Then on top of that...what if there is no billeting? Where would the retiree go and who would "babysit" him/her/them to ensure they don't escape? Even if their passport is held, they can still leave and just claim they lost their passport and apply for a new one. Is there anyone who can quote what local USFJ regulations have to say about this? It all sounds like "hear-say" with little accuracy and sounds a bit unbelievable to me. Quoting a regulation would be ideal. Thanks for any input.   Oscar R Member Username: Summerlin Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2009 Posted From: 98.160.231.133 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 03:00 pm:    Megan,, thanks so much for the info, I was just trying to find out my options in case i get there, with my final destination of RP. Thanks again.   Megan Savage New member Username: Savagesinjapan Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2008 Posted From: 68.140.78.200 Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 12:49 pm:    Question asked: (1)there is a bus? No bus from Misawa AB to Tokyo area. Used to be ran by ITT. Your options are now the bullet train, 3 hrs for $288 round trip (not sure what one way is, assume 1/2?)or commercial flight from Misawa to Haneda. Very detailed directions for the train can be found at: http://www.35fss.com/itt.htm The only problem I have seen for non-SOFA is no customs at Misawa. Customs comes in one day a week when the PatExp arrives from Seattle. If you arrive any other day then you will not get stamped and will be forced to stay on base and hope they have billeting available.   Oscar R Member Username: Summerlin Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2009 Posted From: 98.160.231.133 Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 10:56 pm:    (A second request to my June 04, 2010 posting) I would really like to hear a follow up on this topic. Is there anyone local either Misawa or Yokota that can verify that (1)there is a bus, (2)price, (3)times/dates, (4)availability for SPAT's/non-SOFA personnel, ie retirees? Sounds like a very enjoyable trip for those that have the time to see Nippons countryside. Thanks   Anne L Evans Member Username: Anne_l_evans Post Number: 43 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 70.106.31.164 Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2010 - 01:48 am:    Geoffrey, I have a few questions you might be able to help me with regarding train travel in Japan. I will post in the Off-Topic Discussion area. Thanks! Anne   Geoffrey William McCarthy New member Username: Geffmccarthy Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2010 Posted From: 98.246.146.137 Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 04:53 pm:    The way to see Japan is by train! They are everywhere. From Misawa, take the local train to Towada and back. Or, from Shichinohe, a few km, get the Bullet to Tokyo. Won't be cheap, but it is <4h to Tokyo. Or, get a Japan Rail pass in advance. When we were posted there, Julie would jump on the train and go to Tokyo to see a ballet, etc. Enjoy.   Oscar R Member Username: Summerlin Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2009 Posted From: 98.160.231.196 Posted on Friday, June 04, 2010 - 02:45 am:    I would really like to hear a follow up on this topic. Is there anyone local either Misawa or Yokota that can verify that (1)there is a bus, (2)price, (3)times/dates, (4)availability for SPAT's/non-SOFA personnel, ie retirees? Sounds like a very enjoyable trip for those that have the time to see Nippons countryside. Thanks   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 1036 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.184 Posted on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 07:41 am:    Odd, that bus has been operating for years even when they did have the Patriot Express. I'll have to check into that. Thanks for the info.   Angela Minear New member Username: Loneangel04 Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 202.226.217.9 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 11:43 am:    As far as I know, there is no longer bus service between Misawa and Yokota, that ended when the PatEx started landing here again. Definitely talk to an AMC rep in Misawa, if you don't already have a SOFA stamp for Japan, you may not be able to disembark here in Misawa because we don't always have Japanese customs agents here. Another idea might be to manifest through to Korea, there is another PatEx that goes through both Korea and Yokota. It seems kina backwards and roundabout, but if there aren't any Misawa-Yokota flights on the schedule, it may be your best bet.   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 1033 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.184 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 07:23 am:    I believe there is a daily MWR bus that operates from Misawa AB to Yokota AB. It's a very long bus ride but it would work out. Not sure how the children would handle it.   Krystan G New member Username: Kg1234 Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2010 Posted From: 166.205.141.169 Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 08:30 pm:    I did call and Misawa's terminal, and they are closed on the weekend. There is a train from Misawa to Yokota, but it is a 5 hour trip, so I think that is too much for my 1 & 3 year old. I believe I will try to wait in Misawa, and thank you for your time and advice on this matter. If you have any more info, that would be greatly appreciated.   Bill Mathews Senior Member Username: Bill_mathews Post Number: 1205 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.71.47.192 Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 07:52 pm:    Base info (phone numbers, etc) are on the www.spacea.net web site. Look for the Locations-Pacific button. Believe there is a train between Misawa & Tokyo, but this could be expensive. There is milAir traffic between Misawa & Yokota but hard to predict seats a few days out. Best to call them. If they had a bus to Tokyo, it might be cheaper. It would probably be best (free advice) to wait in Japan to get to Yokota, than to wait in SEATAC.   Krystan G New member Username: Kg1234 Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2010 Posted From: 208.54.15.194 Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 04:39 pm:    I am in Seattle right now, and I am trying to get home to Yokota. I just called to see how many tentative seats are available on the Monday night flight, and there is only 1 as of right now. The guy I spoke with suggested flying to Misawa tonight, spending the night, then flying to Yokota the next day. My question is how many times a week are there flights from Misawa to Yokota? I looked on the Flight Schedule information tab, but Misawa had already been deleted for the month of May. Is this trip even possible? If anyone has the phone number for the Misawa terminal, that would be a huge help or any info at all about Misawa. I am travelling by myself with two very small children, so I try to be as prepared as possible. Thank you so much for everyone's time!