About this Blog

Konichiwa,



Via this Blog you should be able to figure out why it is so much fun to Cruise Japan.



And get all that information you'll need to tackle The Paper Work (PW) you'll be hit with, even before you make landfall.



Other boats have been here before and:



ALL complained about the PW (hey, the officials just do their job) but it's all done for free,

ALL are so pleased they have come here...so most have come-back plans.



If you need more info, go the right hand side of this Blog, there is a list of Blogs...


As yet the links are to the boat's HP and so you'll have to roam around a bit to find that Japan Info.



Happy reading and see you at the sushi bar!



Thursday, December 4, 2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

Cruising notes by SV Takaraboshi


Yachtsman Paul Tsai is the owner of
32 ft sailing vessel Takaraboshi. 

Paul created this handy short cruising note as he has been cruising extensively North Kyushu.
Takaraboshi's  homeport is Odo Marina in Fukuoka.

The text is in Japanese, but pictures tell the story.
I think it's a useful addition to other cruising notes.

To see and read it,

 click the link HERE

Salute

Friday, August 8, 2014

Kaze No Ko Boatyard report by sailing yacht DAGON 2014

KAZE NO KO BOATYARD



After three years in Japan and Korea without new antifouling, and facing a lengthy journey back to New Zealand with few suitable boatyards along the way, we decided to haul Dagon while in Japan. Because of our size and draught (16.8 meters, 2.6 meters), we were not able to lift out in the many small yards that dot the Inland Sea, and the big yards (Marinoa, Shin Nishinomiya etc) were outside our price range.


We chose to haul out at Kaze no Ko boatyard on the northwest coast of Kurahashi Island, about 20 miles (by sea) south of Hiroshima. This family-run yard is tucked into a deep cove and is accessible only by water, making for a quiet, pleasant environment. The young owners, Hideto and Motoko Komura (who both speak English well), and their small team are exceptionally friendly and helpful.


The yard handles all types of boatwork both on the water and on the hardstand and has an impressive array of boatbuilding equipment and machinery in several large sheds.  The railway lift has three sets of adjustable side support arms and takes boats up to about 60 feet. Hideto is currently designing a new lift which will take larger vessels. There is also an ongoing program of upgrading some of the more rickety sections of the three pontoons.

You can chose whether to have work done for you, or you can do it yourself. We had our antifouling paint with us, but all of the facilities of the yard – pressure washer, scaffolding, etc. were made available to us. When we unexpectedly needed a part, Hideto arranged to purchase it at a very reasonable price and it was delivered within two days.


You can use the shower, toilet, microwave and fridge in the staff room when it is not in use; internet is available in the office and there is a washing machine as well. Depending on the length of your stay, you can dinghy your bikes across the bay and ride to the nearest supermarket, about 20 picturesque minutes away. Alternatively, Motoko can take you to the supermarket when she is doing errands.

Hauling out and repairing yachts in Japan is never going to be as cheap as some other places in Asia. However, we found the Kaze no ko pricing very fair, and the efficient service, hassle-free, friendly atmosphere made stopping here a surprisingly economic and pleasant option.


We would certainly return here for hauling Dagon, and recommend the yard highly.


Contact details: 
 Hideto Komura
   1152 Jugoku, Kurahashi-Cho, Kure City, Hiroshima 737-1377   
 Ph:  0823 53 1741, Fax 08223 53 1742   
 Email:  kazenoko@sf6.so-net.ne.jp

   Lat/Long:  34 07.2N  132 28.2E


Though the yard is busy during the summer, you can contact them at any time to see if they have space should you want to just stop there overnight without 




Saturday, May 24, 2014

42 feet Charter catamaran available for cruising Japan.


In case you would like to explore the cruising scene in Japan 
(the islands, the food, the people and its culture)
but:

-- you think Japan is too far away to sail your own boat,
-- you don't want the hassles of Japanese boating officials 
( see and read some of the blogs),
-- you worry about the weather window to come to Japan,
-- or you don't have a boat....

Why not charter a completely outfitted 42 Lagoon Catamaran in Japan?






Fu Kyo is ready to take you from Nagasaki to Hiroshima 
and beyond.
There are 3 cabins, sleeping 6. All air-conditioned.

See some cruising by Fu Kyo 
HERE

For more info about charter options, please email to



Thursday, May 22, 2014

Cruising in Japan, new blogs 2014

The class of 2014

Foreign sailing boats are reporting about their cruising adventures in Japan.

Sailing yacht SARI TIMUR,

and

Sailing yacht SYLPH

(and see previous post)

Sailing yacht GIEBATEAU

Also sailing yacht SILK PURSE
is online...being it it's at Facebook so you have to become friends.

Salute

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Cruising Japan and Korea by sy Giebateau

Paul and Caroline on sailing yacht Giebateau
are extensively cruising around
Japan and Korea.
(2013, 2014,....)

Check out their website, original is in Dutch
but as it's a Google blog.. just click translate and your in bizz.


Please enjoy their stories and loads of cruising info!