JMSDF Atsugi Air Base / Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NJA)

Common Complaints

• No Immigration Facilities for Non-SOFA Travelers: A significant limitation is the absence of immigration facilities at Atsugi. This means non-SOFA travelers (including retirees, Japanese passport holders, and dependents not accompanied by an active duty sponsor) cannot directly enter or exit Japan via Atsugi and must use other authorized international entry points. Departures via Space-A from Atsugi require clearing immigration at Yokohama within 48 hours prior.
• Limited Terminal Amenities (for an airport perspective): Compared to civilian airports, the terminal facilities at Atsugi are minimal. Reviews mention no lockers and no USO-provided internet/WiFi in the terminal. While American-style restrooms and an Exchange Center exist in Terminal One, broader amenities are not widely reported.
• Strict Base Entry and Potential for Discrimination: Some public event attendees have reported disappointing experiences, including perceived discrimination by security staff for non-US/Japanese citizens during festivals like Obon, leading to denied entry without specific reasons.
• Limited Parking On-Base: A recurring complaint is the very limited or hardly any parking available on base, which can be an inconvenience for those with personal vehicles.
• Pet Travel Restrictions: Temporary on-base lodging (like Navy Lodge or NGIS) typically does not allow pets, requiring them to be boarded in kennels until permanent housing is secured. Pets are also strictly prohibited on the airport shuttle service.

In summary, JMSDF Atsugi Air Base offers a highly supportive environment and excellent connectivity to Japanese urban centers for its military population. However, it functions primarily as a military installation, and prospective civilian travelers should be aware of the stringent access rules, the complete lack of direct immigration services, and the limited public-facing airport amenities.