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The northernmost district of Yokosuka City, which borders Yokohama City is called "Oppama" (追浜).  It is place with an interesting history.  During the early 20th Century, the coastal area of Oppama was developed into a large air base for the Imperial Navy -- it became the birthplace of Japanese naval aviation.  Its official name was: "Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal".  After World War II, the airfield and facilities were taken over by U.S. Occupation Forces, and it was renamed Naval Air Station Oppama.  Following the Korean War, in the late-1950s, NAS Oppama was closed down and returned to the Government of Japan.  A few years later, in 1961, Nissan Automobile Corporation built a large factory on former air base land -- "Nissan Oppama" became a large part of Yokosuka's economy, with several thousand employees, and many other smaller supporting businesses & subcontractors.  Oppama train station is on the Keihin Kyuko line, just a few stops from Yokosuka Chuo station.  Nearby and stretching away from Oppama station is a large & vibrant traditional shopping street ("shoten-gai" 商店街) filled with small businesses, retailers, restaurants, etc.  Oppama also is the site of a popular summer festival and occasional night bazaars.  Since it is only a short train ride away from Yokosuka Navy Base (CFAY) Oppama is wonderful for visiting, walking around, shopping, eats & drinks, and soaking-up some Japanese culture.  We hope you will have a chance to go there someday.

Written by Goodfield