Hello Everyone,
I’ve heard from my collegues of work that any person can visit and enter in an US Base during the day that it is opened to the public¹ and there too buy products directly imported from the US where people can buy them here.
I’d like to know if is true¹ and if I can go there to shop independently the day it is opened to the public (for example during weekends)².
NOTE: The Bases I’m talking about are Naval Air Facility in Atsugi and Naval Base in Yokosuka. I have interest only to go there just to buy some sauces and condiments imported from the US and practice my English.
10 comments
1. No, you can’t products yourself on base. Only people with military ids can purchase things on base.
2. Bases are only open to the public one day a year, the Friendship day. And the areas the public can access are restricted and you can only purchase ready to consume food.
Username checks out.
Every 2nd Saturday is “Welcome Random Civilians Day”. Just show up and bring your Costco Executive Membership Card. Also wear DPRK items you have as “flair”.
A couple of things:
Yes there may be American snacks and stuff available for purchase from the stalls etc.
But no, you cannot go into the Commissary/Exchange/NEX etc to purchase stuff yourself.
They will most likely be checking Military IDs at the entrances to those places during the open days.
“any person can visit and enter in an US Base during the day that it is opened to the public…”
Yes that’s true, UNLESS you are a citizen of any of the “Designated Countries” such as China, Russia etc
To avoid disappointment, I’d suggest searching for the current list of citizens that are barred/restricted from entering U.S. bases before going.
And they will most probably be checking passports in addition to your Residence Card.
You can’t go outside of those annual festivals unless you have someone to sign you on. You can’t just wander on base, especially as a non-American with no connection to the base.
No, you need military/gov ID to make use of the base exchange. You could possibly find some subsidiary place like a gas station that wasn’t as fussy about checking cards but that’s probably breaking some kind of regulation.
You need to be escorted by someone that has privileges, such as active military, retiree, civilian employee on the base. The MP (military police) will not allow you past the entrance gate without this. And your escort must present their id when you purchase anything there.
Befriend a service member!
bro it is a military base, not Disneyland
Not sure for the bases you mentioned but ours only open for the locals during friendship day, even then you cant shop at our px/commissary.
You’ll need an escort to get in and of course, you’ll need dollars.