SWEET HOME IWAKUNI.

For the 9,000 military and civilian personnel and their families stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, leisure time in this beautifully scenic country is easy to fill. Located in the western part of the Japanese archipelago's main island of Honshu, the air station boasts a seaside location with picture-perfect riverways and mountains nearby. In short, outdoor recreation possibilities and opportunities abound.

However, challenges do exist for foreigners who neither speak the local language nor read the three forms of written language used in Japanese society. Apprehension sometimes overcomes the desire to enjoy recreational activities like those "back home." Fortunately for personnel affiliated with the air station, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department provides the key to enjoying off-base recreational opportunities. The MWR staff knows that when the welfare of family members is taken care of, troops can concentrate on the mission. Iwakuni's MWR is a broad organization, encompassing not only recreation but lodging, food service, entertainment, child care, and retail services.

MWR's Outdoor Recreation program offers hiking, biking, skiing, fishing, and boating. Each activity has its own season; however, camping remains popular throughout the year. A host of offices within the division are involved in making the camping experience pleasant and easy. The Gear Issue Office provides outdoor gear -- tents, lanterns, cook stoves -- free of charge to authorized patrons. The Information, Tours and Travel (IT&T) Office provides detailed directions in English, as welt as maps to campsites, and IT&T's Japanese speakers will make reservations for patrons with limited communicative ability.

Two MWR programs greatly enhance the outdoor recreation program aboard the air station: commercial sponsorship of the MWR camping program by Kampgrounds of America, Japan, and the recreational-vehicle lease program. Each program has greatly expanded the ability of personnel to enjoy leisure time in the great outdoors. Together, they bring a tittle bit of America home to campers stationed in Japan.

The Marketing Division's Commercial Sponsorship Program allows commercial enterprises to sponsor events and programs in exchange for promotion of their goods and services. Designed to attract sponsorship for base events while providing companies access to base personnel, the program generates approximately $80,000 each year for the air station. In the case of Kampgrounds of America, Japan, authorized patrons stationed at the Iwakuni base receive a discount on campsites and camping cabins at the two nearest KOA campgrounds. KOA benefits by attracting patrons who otherwise may not find out about their campsites, and base patrons benefit by being able to enjoy something they might do "at home" during their tour overseas.

There are other benefits as welt. As part of the commercial-sponsorship agreement, printed materials that have been translated into English by the commercial-sponsorship staff are provided to potential users of the campsites, and MWR's IT&T Office staff telephones KOA to make campers' reservations. Campers are assured that their patronage is welcomed, and the experience is akin to one they may have experienced at home. The improved morale of personnel and their families is the bottom-line benefit for MWR, which is charged with providing such initiatives.

Immediately identifiable by its bright yellow logo, Kampgrounds of America, Japan, is a branch of the U.S.-based company that operates campgrounds throughout the United States and around the world. Associated with high standards, the facilities in Japan boast heated and air-conditioned cabins, tent sites, and hook-ups for recreational vehicles. Amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and hot tubs provide welcome relaxation, and family-oriented events such as campfire parties offer foreign guests a chance to interact with Japanese campers. Some facilities are a day-trip away from popular tourist destinations like hot springs and theme parks.

MWR recently leased 10 recreational vehicles, which can be rented through MWR's Services Division. The locally manufactured, custom-built campers are designed for the local highway system, with right-hand drive and a slim profile for negotiating Japan's narrow streets. Designed to steep five, the campers are ideal for families who want to go camping without the hassle of toting tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment. Single personnel, who normally camp in groups, can pool their resources and rent a camper, making the campout more cost effective.

Campers who want the convenience of RV camping enjoy the program. Corporal Dustin Dunk, a broadcaster at the local Armed Forces Network television station, was among the first to rent an RV. He and a few friends recently headed up to a campground 30 kilometers from the base. Parking at the foot of Three Peaks, which is named for the three rocky crags that jut out of the landscape, they used the RV as a base for enjoying the surrounding hiking traits. "The camper comfortably slept the three of us," Dunk remarked. "It was convenient for all of us and our gear." Although he anticipated negotiating the winding road up the mountain, it turned out to be "no problem at all."

Campers who prefer roughing it have a wide selection of campsites from which to choose. There are dozens of campsites near the air station as well as many wilderness areas where one could pitch a tent. Directions to these campsites are available at the IT&T Office. One such area, which is located 30 kilometers from the air station, is Yasaka Dam. Recreational vehicles can easily navigate the road through rural Japan, and the gorge offers some of the most spectacular views in the area. A camping site accommodates RVs, making the destination convenient for a weekend getaway.

For some personnel, the opportunity to enjoy camping while in Japan makes the difference between having a good tour and having a great tour. MWR's efforts, along with the benefits of commercial sponsorship, go a long way in bringing a familiar camping experience to Japan.