Sailing yacht MARIDA (see also their blog-link) stayed for a few months in Pusan, Korea.
Main reason to go to Korea was their visa run.
The rule:
*the 3 months visitors visa CAN"T be extended with-in Japan,
*a tourist stay can't be more than 6 months in a 12 month period.
Enforcing that last one depends a lot on the immigration official you deal with when re-entering Japan.
MARIDA sailed directly from Pusan to Sakai Minato, Japan.
Their update (here below) is to be read next to sy BANNISTER's report from 1 year ago.
Sakai Minato (also port of entry )
Marina Sakai Minato Yachtclub
Entrance
After passing the light house on Jizo Saki steer 240 Degrees towards the Quarantine Anchorage.(35 32.5 N 133 16.9 E)
The marina entrance is at 35 30 86 N - 133 15 .26 E
Entering the marina in the night is not recommended because it is between the beach and the breakwater. Shallow.
In the night anchor first en contact the marina VHF 16
After rounding the marina breakwater keep close to the concrete wall on your starboard side
and turn to port at the end
Just opposite the clubhouse building is the place for visiting yachts
Mooring position 35 30.92 N
133 15. 09 E deep about 3.20 M
Protection Good . some times you need an extra anchor to keep the boat free from the concrete cay
Fee For 43 ft 2090 yen /day
extra Water, fuel , power on the cay and showers in clubhouse
One of our friends / contacts arranged tax free fuel
shopping in shoppingcenter "Plant 5 " 10 minutes by bicycle
post office , bank etc in town.
Teru Murakami commodore yacht club
Tottori See list
The members from the Tottori Ocean Yachtclub ( few 100 meters from the mooring position )are very
friendly and helpful
Mooring just opposite the building from Japan Coast Guard en the Harbor Authority
on a concrete wall .
Protection ; Very good
Shopping ; In shopping center AON ,close by (10 minutes by bicycle)
Coin Laundry; Close to AON shopping center
Fee Free
Mooring position 35 32.081
134 11. 738 E
Contact
Shibayama This is a small fishing port ,Good stop between Tottori and Ine-port
Mooring position 35 39.451 N
134 39.611 E
After rounding the lighthouse ,be aware of the 6 fish caissons close on shore
Locals told us that you can pass between the coast and the caissons but we went around.
After passing the caissons steer half a mile 200 degrees , turn to starboard around the breakwater
On your starboard side are two -not in use- oil barges. We were directed to go alongside this
It is opposite the fishermen wharf
Protection : Good
Fee : Free
We did not go onshore
Good contact : mr Yoshizu mob phone 080 5707 8656
Ine -Port See list
our mooring position 35 40 488 N
135 17.265 E
Fee Free
Protection Reasonable ,behind the breakwater opposite the boathouses
Extra Small super market close by, the bigger one is 20 min by car
Water from public tap .
Echizen see list
We entered the harbor and were directed to the basin on our starboard side ( )
mooring position 35 56.163 N
135 59.707 E
on a concrete cay close to building place .
Protection Behind this big breakwaters OK
Fee Free
Kanazawa This is a big-busy commercial harbor ,In fact not a place for yachts .
JCG told us better to use Taki Saki ,19 nm more North .We stayed in the small basin described below
Entrance :
Af ter rounding the breakwater follow the concrete wall on your starboard side
Half a mile further the fairway turns sharp to port ( close to the Komatsu buildings) .
Just passed this point you will see a small basin on starboard side
This is one of the fisherman's harbors , including a slip rail.
We were directed by JCG to this place because in the main harbor is no place for small boats.
On public holidays when the fleet is , in perhaps no place in here also !!
Mooring position 36 37. 189 N
136 36. 231 E
Protection Good
Fee Free
Extra Supermarket and Public bath are close by
Fuel is available on the fuel barges which are half a NM in to the main Harbor on the
starboard side.Easy access
