Yokota Japan 1963

Two young GI's en route to Thailand/Vietnam had a stop over in Yokota Japan.

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Yanageda and I had been roomies in the Air Force

for a year when we were transferred to Japan together

needless to say two 18 year olds

were so anxious to arrive we almost wet ourselves.

The sap was running, brain cells in neutral.

We could barely contain ourselves.

No sooner did we pass through orientation at Kadena AFB

and got room assignments we were off to the NCO Club*

After several state side assignments

these were plush quarters and The NCO Club was heaven.

Downing 3 quick Japanese beers we then ordered,

as Yanageda suggested the Teriyaki steak.

His meals were never off. It was GREAT.

Never had a sweet steak with great multi flavors

The sights, sound and smells of Yokota Japan

Were more intoxicating than was the beer.

WW2 occupation was not so long ago

Semi Feudal Japan not so far off removed as a distant memory.

Occupation by American GI’s was still relatively new

so our comings and goings was still a bit intriguing to the locals.

But to be sure, we ordered round after round of beer

moving from then downtown GI bars

toward a little known Soba** house

where we met two young Japanese girls.

Two loose Japanese girls (both about 15) out for Soba was a rarity

normally Japanese girls were home for supper

and rarely out again after dark.

Thanks to Yanageda we were able to entertain these two.

Soon it was too late to repair the damage at home

so we ended up asking the two to a late night club

where the sake flowed and soon enough

we ended up at a remote Japanese only hotel.

Fascination on both sides led to mutual curiosity

we entered the Japanese traditional hotel without a clue.

Shoes at the door in a snow storm only to be retrieved by the owner

cleaned, polished, and dutifully placed near the front entrance.

Hot water was soon bubbling for baths, communal style

Japanese modesty is very different from western modes.

We bathed together both sexes

but otherwise one rarely see a neckline or an ankle of females.

Well scrubbed, by our dates, before entering the bath

then jointly and totally immersed in water, intended to boil lobsters.

Relaxing for 20 or 30 minutes, ‘til all tension

and almost all sexual desire was dissipated.

Once out we were dried and “rushed” to our adjourning rooms

the temps outside were in the low teens, and mid 20s in the rooms.

Pulled/pushed and cocooned under 8 to 12 inches of comforters,

finally, be joined by our “dates” with lamp wick lowered and seeking body heat.

Love making Japanese style is difficult to comprehend.

The girls were so tiny to the occidental mind.

It was foreign to us how to proceed without violating the norms.

But animal nature soon won over and all uncertainty resolved.

Adjoining rooms were indeed a non-sequester with paper thin walls

It’s universally understood that nearness enflames the appetites

The relative sizes brought forth oos and ahhs

as was the hair and lack thereof in areas that fasinated.

Early mornings for Yanageda and me was 6AM

and we were shocked to find the girls already gone

and the beds semi made up

We vowed to meet up with these two again

But that was not so simple

The Japanese code was so that they were embarrassed.

After 3 weeks of looking and monk like existence

We found them again at the spring “Sakura” fair.

After 3 months Yanageda and I were separately reassigned

I went to Southern Thailand and

He went to the Northern most station in Thailand.

We never met again but I think of Derrick Yanageda often.

* NCO Club = Non Commissioned Officers Club

= ** Soba house - Noodle soup

By Philippe R Hebert

From: United States