Getting There
Hotel Pickup - [Main Option ] We arrange for pickup with a hotel vehicle (Mini-bus) at Izu Nagaoka station. Procedure is as follows...

Take the train to Mishima (instead of Numazu). Switch to the Izu Hakone Tetsudo-Shunzu Line and at 8:56, take the train to Izu Nagaoka (19 minutes, JPY 320). You will be met by an Osekan hotel vehicle outside the station at approximately 9:30.

Train/My van pickup - [Due to recent large trips and my van being filled with equipment, this will NOT be an option unless specifically communicated ] Train ride to Numazu station, where you will be picked up by my van, pending space available. From the Tokyo area, the fast trains come into Mishima station, which is one local train stop from Numazu. Train connection information can be found at the TrainRouteFinder  website (also can be found on my links page).

We meet just outside the North exit of Numazu station at 8:05 in the morning.

Bus - The Osezaki dive site can alternately be reached by bus from Numazu station (80 min). The bus only runs a couple times a day. Busses to Osekan depart from the South exit, from bus stop number 8. The one-way trip costs JPY 1,330.

The morning departure time from the station is 6:41 am and drops off right in front of Osezaki beach, just 50 yards from where we dive. The other bus that runs all the way to the dive center departs Numazu at 4:25 pm and arrives at 6pm.

The return trip of this last bus is also the last chance for those returning to Numazu on Saturday evening. The bus returning to Numazu station departs the beach at 6 pm.

Ferry -  During July and August, there is a rather convenient ferry (60 min) from near Numazu station. When running, the ferry is a faster and more frequent option.

Car - Those who wish to drive can arrange with me to meet somewhere along the way so you can follow me into Osezaki. We generally meet on the Tome highway at a rest stop at 7 am. Here are the details:

1. Take the Tomei Highway south toward Nagoya.  (Many divers get on at the Atsugi highway entrance from Rt. 246.)
2. You'll pass an exit called Gotemba.  There will be amazing views of Fuji on your right.
3. About 6.2 km after Gotemba, you'll reach a rest area called Komakado. (If you reach Numazu, you've passed it)
4. Pull into the Komakado rest area and let's meet in front of the restrooms. (It's a small rest stop, just vending machines and restrooms.)

Getting Back
For those returning on Sunday, I drop off divers at Numazu station around 5 pm, pending space available in my van. Returning by bus or ferry are also options. Those returning on Saturday night will have to take the bus, ferry or their own car. The bus returning to Numazu station departs the beach at 6 pm.

The Hotel
We usually stay at the Osekan Minshuku. They have 3 buildings; one right on the water, one just behind that, and another just up the hill. The rooms are tatami style and guests sleep on futons. They serve a wonderful dinner and breakfast for those staying over.

Meals
The "default setting" for meals is Japanese style. Delicious seafood, meat and vegetable items for both dinner and breakfast. Non-seafood and vegetarian are available for both meals with one week's notice. Also, if you've dove with us before, please remind me on every trip if you have a special meal need.

Note: If you are new to Japan or Minshuku, please note that we share the room with up to 3 other people, so up to 4 to a room. Women will usually be housed in separate rooms unless two couples decide to room together. The price for lodging is the same if there are 1 or 4 people in a room; pricing in Japan is by the person, not by the room. Also, during the busy season, it is impossible to request a room alone.

Bring your own towel since there is a nice large shower and bath facility on premises. Towels can be rented for JPY 100, but they are pretty small by western standards. They look more like washcloths than towels to me. There are no convenience stores anywhere near the hotel, so plan ahead and bring any special Saturday night snacks from off location. There are beer machines in the hotel, so we're covered there.

Getting There
Train - Atami is supremely accessible by train; as little as 40 minutes from Tokyo. Train connection information can be found at TrainRouteFinder . Divers will be picked up at Atami station by my van, or take the 5-minute taxi ride down to the dive site. We generally meet just after  8 am in front of the station (there's only one exit).

Car - Atami is a relatively easy, scenic ride straight down the coast (route 135).

Getting Back
Train - Divers can get back to the station in my van (space permitting) or by taxi.

Hotel
We don't stay at Atami much these days, but when we do, there are a few Minshuku and hotel options in the immediate area.

Getting There
Train - Izu Ocean Park (IOP) is a short distance from Jogasaki Kaigan station. To get to this station, you will need to go to Atami and switch trains to continue down the coast. See TrainRouteFinder for details. You will be met at the station by my van (space permitting) or can take a taxi to the dive site. We usually meet at the station at 8:08 am, though there is a train that gets in at 8:35 and is convenient to some connections. Please inquire about timing.

Car - IOP is a long, but scenic drive down the coast. Traffic coming back on a Sunday evening can try even the most patient diver.

Getting Back
Train - Divers can be dropped off at Jogasaki Kaigan by van or taxi.

Hotel
We do sometimes stay over near IOP since it is such a nice area, with so much to do. The coast in this area is exceptionally scenic with parks and walks along the cliffs. There is a hotel near the dive site we like to use.

Special note on accommodation near IOP - While the reservations and cancellations policies of other dive area minshuku (like Osezaki) is a bit flexible, the IOP area is quite different. To our surprise, cancellation fees begin 7 to 10 days before the date of stay. Last minute bookings are not always an option since they tend to fill up fast, which means I need divers to commit at least a week in advance to be sure people have a place to stay (if an overnight is involved). Divers who are forced to cancel less than a week before the trip (we know life happens) will have to pay a cancellation fee of JPY 3,000.

Getting there
There are several options for going to Oshima. The Ferry leaves from Atami, Yokohama and Tokyo. For weekend trips, we prefer to take the overnight ferry from Yokohama, and return by the fast hydroplane ferry back to Atami.

Train - Divers will take a train to Yokohama port (Osambashi) and meet up with the group to board the ferry. This port is reached on the Minatomirai line, and the station's name is Nihon Odori Station. The port is about a 10 minute walk from the station.Take exit 3 from the station, and go right. After just 20 meters, take a left at the first light, and follow that straight to the ferry terminal.

Ferry - The ferry leaves at 11:30 pm Friday night and travels overnight. We prefer to get the economy sleeper tickets, which allow us to sleep comfortably on futons upon a tatami mat floor. The alternative is sleeping (or in my case, not sleeping) overnight in a bus-style seat. More expensive private accommodations are also available.

There is a fast ferry that leaves Atami on Saturday morning, but it arrives at Oshima late in the morning and cuts into our dive time a bit, though sometimes this is our only option.

Gear - The ferry sometimes charges JPY 1,000 per bag (each way) for large or heavy bags, such as scuba bags. We usually opt to send our bags, since that only costs about JPY 1,600 each way and really eases travel. You can ship from a convenience store or have home pickup.

Getting back
Ferry - The ferry leaves Oshima at 4 pm on Sunday and arrives at Atami before 6. We then take a 7 minute taxi ride up to Atami station and take trains home.

What to bring
Bring your diving gear if you have any, and a towel for use after diving and at the minshuku (not all have towels). IF we take the overnight ferry on Friday, you may want to bring something for breakfast when we arrive on Saturday morning. There is one small store open there in the morning, but the selection can be "limited".

Map of Oshima

Getting there
Yugawara Sports is a short distance from Yugawara station, which is just north of Atami on the JR Tokai line. See TrainRouteFinder for details. You will be met at the station by my van or can take a taxi to the dive site. For pool sessions that begin at 9 am, we will meet at the station at 8:30 am.

Train - The fastest way may be to take a train to Atami (Kodama), which will arrive in Atami at 8:17. From Atami, Yugawara can be reached on a local train in approximately 5 minutes (departing Atami at 8:25 and getting at Yugawara at 8:30).

Car - Yugawara is just inland of coastal route 135. Take 135 south (Atami exit off Odawara-Atsugi Toll road). After about 30 minutes on 135, you will pass over the Yugawarabashi Bridge (it has a sign in English). Then the road will drop down to beach level and you will see lots of surfers in the water. After the beach, you will pass through a commercial section and see a McDonald's on the left. At the first traffic light after McD's, take a right. On this new road, after 2 or 3 traffic lights, you will pass a 7-11 on your right. Pass through one more light and take the next left. The Yugawara Sports Center is about 250 meters on your right, a large, once-white building..

What you'll need to bring:
1. Swim cap is required in the shallow pool. Bring your own, or they can be purchased at the pool shop for about JPY 1,000.
2. Towel
3. We usually have lunch around the corner at Denny's.