Yokota’s Outdoor Recreation

With the winter season in full swing at Yokota Air Base, residents may want nothing more than to huddle up in their warm dry homes; but for those with a sense of adventure and willingness to brave the cold, the 374th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation has many activities for Airmen and their families.

Outdoor Recreation recently took a group of adventurers on a ski and snowboarding trip to Myoko-Suginohara, a ski resort located in the Niigata prefecture.

During the trip to the ski resort Yoshimasa Nakamura, Outdoor Recreation recreation specialist informed the participants of the services provided by the resort, recommendations on where to eat lunch and answered any questions. After arriving at 9 a.m., Yokota members were able to enjoy the freshly ‘ja-pow’ covered slopes until 3:30 p.m.

Ski and snowboard lessons are also available on trips, and taught by qualified Outdoor Recreation staff and volunteers.

“Outdoor Recreation provides convenient ways to explore Japan without being too expensive,” said Kiersten Drew, 374 FSS Outdoor Recreation chief of outdoor recreation. “Yokota personnel and their families can take a trip without having to worry about the gas, tolls or how to get there.”

For those who do not have their own winter or summer sport gear or equipment, Outdoor Recreation can provide various items including; skis, snowboards, boots, coats, snow pants, helmets and more.

If a person owns their own gear, they have many repair and maintenance services so one can keep their equipment in top shape. The various services include everything from minor bicycle repairs and ski/snowboard wax’s, to full ski/snowboard and bike tunes ups.

“We have an array of tools that help us make peoples equipment as good as new,” said Matthew Silvia, 374th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation recreation aid.

Outdoor Recreation ensures all Yokota members have the opportunity to explore the outdoors through various outlets such as rock climbing, mountain biking, ocean fishing, and many other guided tours across Japan. Depending on the trip, tours may be one or several days. 

Through a program fulfilled by the Air Force Services Agency, Yokota Outdoor Recreation can provide select trips at a highly discounted price. Cutting the cost by fifty percent or more on select trips. Also special trips for single Airmen in the dorms are available at a discounted price.

According to Drew, many other services are provided for Yokota Air Base members by Outdoor Recreation that most people don’t realize.

“The Natatorium and the Sakana Outdoor pools are also part of Outdoor Recreation,” said Drew. “We also have a large variety of equipment people can rent, from barbecue grills, and bounce castles to Santa suits and badminton kits.”

From trips to the top of Mt. Fuji, to backyard barbeques, Yokota’s Outdoor Recreation has many opportunities for those looking to enjoy Japan’s great outdoors.

For a full schedule of upcoming opportunities and prices for the current month along with a preview of the next month, visit http://www.yokotasupport.com/odr/. Brochures with this information can be found in the Yujo and the Outdoor Recreation office. At the office, there is also a tentative schedule for the whole winter and upcoming spring events. For any other information, call the office at 225-4552.