Dive Site Logistics
This page contains general information about getting to the various dives sites that we frequent. Most entail pickup at a station near to the dive site.
Dive Logistics Quick Links:
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Hachijojima Island (Under Construction)
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Shikinejima Island (Under Construction)
Osezaki
Getting There
Train/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 of your choice to Mishima. 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 connection information can be found at the Japan Transit Planner website (also can be found on my links page).
Train/Taxi - If you plan on arriving at Izu Nagaoka station at a time when a pickup is not available, divers can take a taxi to the dive center. It takes about 20-30 minutes from the station and costs JPY 5,000-6,000 depending on time of day and traffic.
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 (Please verify availability as it depends on time of year).
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 contact me for details.
Getting Back
For those returning on Sunday, we generally have a van returning to Izu Nagaoka station around 4-5 pm (time varies). 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 (time of year dependent). Taxi back to Izu Nagaoka is also an option.
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.
In the warm months, we reserve our rooms 2 months or more in advance. There is never a guarantee that couples will get to sleep in the same room. The usual case is separation of guys and girls. Space permitting, families can occupy a single room.
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.
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.
What to bring:
1. Your own towel since there is a nice large shower and bath facility on premises.
2. Snacks since there are no convenience stores or shopping nearby.
3. Sun cream in summer as it gets pretty bright on the beach there.
Atami
Getting There
Train - Atami is supremely accessible by train; as little as 40 minutes from Tokyo. Train connection information can be found at Japan Transit Planner. 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 at 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.
Izu Ocean Park
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 Japan Transit Planner 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 8:05 am.
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).
Oshima Island
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 Tokyo, and return by the fast hydroplane ferry back to Tokyo or Atami.
Train - For Tokyo, divers should get themselves to Takeshiba station and the ferry terminal is a short walk from there. We meet in the ferry terminal, give me a call when you get there.
Yokohama (rarely used)- 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 - Depending on the time of year, the night ferry leaves as early as 10 pm or as late as 11:30 pm Friday night and travels overnight. Please be sure to check the logistics for the trip you are attending for the exact departure time. 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. We also sleep on deck sometimes.
For the evening ferry, we meet at the terminal one hour before departure. The boat generally starts boarding 30 minutes before departure.
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).During the warm months, you will want to bring sun lotion. 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".
Minshuku notes
As is often the case on the Izu islands, the minshuku rooms have coin-operated air conditioners and the toilets are in the hallway.
Yugawara Pool
Getting there
Yugawara Sports is a short distance from Yugawara station, which is just north of Atami on the JR Tokai line. See Japan Transit Planner 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..
Reminders:
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. Tattoos need to be covered up by swimsuit, rash guard or tape.
4. We usually buy lunch before the pool session, store in locker and eat inside the lounge area.
Mikomoto
Under reconstruction
Motosuko (Motosu Lake)
Getting There
Train/Car - Drive or taxi from Kawaguchiko station, or bus from Shinjuku. Most folks who wish to dive Saturday arrive Friday night by car or taxi.
Bus - There is a direct bus form Shinjuku. It arrives close to the camp site and arrives around 9:30 am. This is generally too late for dive events (such as the annual cleanup dive) but this transport is a perfectly good choice for folks just coming down for camping.
Camp Area - See below or Click here to see the camping area we use for events.
Ugusu-Koganezaki
Getting There
Train - pickup available at Shuzenji station. Details:
6:33 am leave Tokyo Station (Kodama 631)
7:25 am arrive at Mishima
7:34 am depart on Izu Hakone Tetsudo bound for Shuzenji Stn
8:09 am arrive at Shuzenji Station
Shop pickup shortly after that....We'll have one pickup at about 8:30
Car - If you have a Navi, here are the GPS coordinates for the parking area, which is next to the camping area:
N34° 50.522’ E138° 45.990’
Here is a link to Google Maps for the parking lot area
Once you are close...On route 136, after you pass the town of Toei, you will be about 10 - 15 minutes away from the dive area. As you get close, on your right, you will see a glass museum/shop called Crystal Park (which is just after a tunnel). It has a very characteristic shape; a round, greenish smoke-stack-like structure on the top. as you are passing this building, there is an immediate right turn. Take this right and continue straight for a hundred meters or so, and you will pass through a tunnel. The first right after this tunnel is the parking lot for the dive center and camping area. Park here and give me a call.
Special Car Note: Cars are not allowed down to the dive site itself. We need to call the dive operator and have them pick us up in the car lot. Please call me when you arrive.
Staying Over
There are several possibilities for Minshuku here. The dive shop we use has several rooms, there is a cabin of rooms near the beach, and there are one or two nice minshuku not too far from the beach as well. All rooms are tatami-mat, shared occupancy.
Camping
There is some rather nice camping on the beach, just to the north of the shore dive site. It's very scenic, though it is pricey:
JPY 4,000 per tent site per night
JPY 1,000 per person facility fee per night
(so for 2 people, the total charge would be JPY 6,000 a night)
It's possible that we will have to pay JPY 1,000 a day for parking, depending on time of year
Kumomi
Under Construction
Tateyama, Chiba
Van – When available, we will be running a transport van from Tokyo. Price will be JPY 4,000 for round trip transportation directly to the dive center and back. Pickup would be at 5:45 am pickup at a location in Tokyo, so be announced (Ebisu, west exit JR station near the taxi stand).
Train – From JR at Tokyo station, a 5:21 am departure yields an arrival at Tateyama station at 8:05 am. The station is about 40 minutes from the station. Depending on the event, divers would have to take a taxi, or a pickup could sometimes be arranged.
Bus – Leaves Tokyo at 6:30 am and arrives at Tateyama at 8:50 am.
http://time.jrbuskanto.co.jp/bk040440.html The bus drops off about 10 minutes from the dive center.