PWTM: Camp Zama, Japan

Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021.

One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.

We here at Army Wife Network want to take the some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Camp Zama, Japan.

Originally created by the Japanese as an Imperial Army Academy in the 1930’s, it came under American control when a battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army arrived on Sept. 5, 1945. It eventually became known as Camp Zama. It saw increased activity during the Vietnam War, as soldiers were sent there for additional medical care of R&R and it was used as a main supply center for the war effort. Changes were made as Japan regained more control of various towns. U.S. Army Garrison Japan was activated at Camp Zama on Oct. 15, 2002.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Camp Zama is home to the following units:

Honshu:

Okinawa:

Surrounding Cities:

  • Edina (6 kilometers)
  • Yamato (7 kilometers)
  • Atsugi (8 kilometers)
  • Machida (8 kilometers)

Closest MAJOR City: Tokyo (49 kilometers)

Names of Area Colleges: University of Maryland University College–Asia Division offered through the Army Education Center

Weather: The weather is typical of the east coast of the U.S. There are four seasons, with August having highs of upper 80s, and January and February having highs of mid-30s. Rain tends to be more prevalent during summer months. Camp Zama does experience a lot of fog throughout the year, specifically during the summer months.

Time Zone: Japan Standard Time (JST), which is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Time.

SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION

To access the post website, click here.

Map of the area

Historical Facts/Landmarks:

HOUSING

On-post housing is managed by Camp Zama Military Housing.

Like many overseas locations, service members and their families who are moving to an OCONUS duty station will begin their housing search at the installation housing office. Specific paperwork is often required for seeking off-post housing options. 

SCHOOLS

School Liaison Officer

On-Post Schools

ON-POST SERVICES

Best place for beauty services:

RESTAURANTS

MUST DO

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.

Installation Facebook page: United States Army Garrison Japan

Military Spouse Groups: Zama Community Spouses’ Organization

Buy/Sell/Trade Pages: Camp Zama Classifieds

Religious services:

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Post with the Most

Post with the Most

Each month, we do a segment that highlights an Army installation. We do this so we can provide you with as much information about a post as possible.

3 thoughts on “PWTM: Camp Zama, Japan

  • October 3, 2020 at 9:36 pm
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    Can anyone lend me some support? My husband and I and our two dogs are working on our PCs list to zama and trying to figure out where the heck we are going to live? Recommendations?

    Reply
    • Sharita Knobloch
      October 5, 2020 at 12:38 pm
      Permalink

      Hi Ashleigh! Let us do some digging and recon for you and let you know what we find out 🙂 ~Sharita

      Reply
    • Sharita Knobloch
      October 5, 2020 at 4:28 pm
      Permalink

      Hi Ashleigh! Gathered some helpful information from our Command Team about your question:

      “I believe Camp Zama will either offer you on post housing if there is space, or have you live off post if there is no space for you. Now I’m not sure if the off post housing is government leased or if you have to find a private realtor. We lived off post and had a realtor, but they would sometimes act as the middle person between Housing and the landlord. The housing office in Korea also had a list of approved realtors to use if you were to live off post.” ~Brittney (Previously stationed in Korea)

      “I think a lot of overseas locations require military families to go through the housing office even if you get a private rental, so either way, the housing office should be the first place to start.” ~Sarah (Previously stationed in Germany)

      “I know we had to wait til we got over here before we could do anything related to housing. There was a housing brief we had to attend and they explained everything then.” ~Angie (Currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan)

      Hope this helps 🙂

      Reply

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