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Doc Farmer · Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject: Tours of Yokosuka

Anybody here know if the US Navy permits tours of the Yokosuka Naval Base here in Japan? Dad asked me to see if I could go and take some photos to show him how much it's changed since he was there. Naturally, I'm sure there will be security issues to contend with, so I don't know if this is even possible. If anybody can help with this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Many thanks.
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I B Squidly · Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:13 pm Post subject:

It's twenty years since I was ported in Yoko. Visitation wasn't a problem then. A valid ID was all that was required. A sponsor from any of the resident commands can get you in. There's a fleet, a SUBRON, DESRON, base command among others and one of them has a Public Affairs Officer that would love to help. Our ship was always sending someone from the duty section to retrieve guests.

The Imperial Navy hollowed out all the hills around the base and the US Navy moved in. The caves are not on any tour.

If you have the chance to go to the Japanese side it's worth the trip. The contrast can be remarkable. They passed me after a phone call brought an escort from the ship, Hatakase.
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LewWaters · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:41 am Post subject:

They have their own webpage too. Maybe there is contact information outlining whatever requirements or restrictions there may be. I have visited closed Army Bases since getting out and had little problems, but it's been a long time too.

Check them out here http://www.cfay.navy.mil/

I B Squidly · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:12 am Post subject:

Parked just outside Yoko to the south is the Mikasa, Yamato's flagship at Tsushima Straits. A museum piece we didn't molest it during the war. An interesting hybred she has a british hull and engines with german guns. The Japanese bought only the best and then copied it all.

Likewise in Yoko. The french built the first drydock and piers. The japanese built the rest. Americans did little more than move in and build a McDonalds. Drydock #6 was the assembly yard for Shinano, the 3rd Musashi class. Converted to a carrier she was hours out of Yoko in tow to the Inland Sea for fitting-out when caught by the USS Archerfish and sent to the bottom. It took 4 years and alot of sho-chu to get the story out of a local.

January 1st is the big holiday in Japan. All their ships come into port. The numbers and quality are astounding. The holiday airbedding is colorful but watching them all deploy the morning of Jan 2nd is breath-taking.
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"KILL ALL THE LAWYERS!"

-Wlm Shakespeare

MrJapan · PO1 Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 465 Location: Chiba, Japan

Doc Farmer · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:39 am Post subject: