Sailing to Japan in November

[SV Pino]

Hi,

We're currently in Fiji, and thinking about making our way north toward Japan for mid-November 2018. We're wondering if anyone has any tips on that trip up, or if anyone is also considering sailing this way in the upcoming months.

Thanks a lot

[Pelagic]

Hi Pino,
You have 2 major issues against you.
November is still a very active Typhoon month with historically some of the worst like Yolanda happening in November


Also, by November, the NE Monsoon is usually the default wind, starting to surge up to 25-30knts as depressions cutting across S China Sea enhance the flow until it surges all December and January.

If your planned route was to go via PNG & East coast of Mindano Philippines then up thru the islands to Subic you have 2 options.

1.Get to SUBIC and wait for a break, but don't count on it.

2. Enjoy the best cruising season in the Calamain Group and west coast of Palawan till April when you have perfect conditions to follow the Cherry Blossom Season towards Japan.

[SV Pino]

We were thinking of doing the outside route, going through Marshalls and Guam. We know of Sunstone who did this passage around that time in the past, we're asking because we're not sure. We could easily wait out the next few months in the islands, waiting for March, but spending the winter in Wakayama would be a lot of fun for us, and we'd be there for the sakura season(end of march).

What do you think?

[SV Pino]

I did not realized that the posts were moderated,
sorry for posting it twice.

[s/v Moondancer]

We did the trip last year. You need to be in the Marshals by typhoon season and then wait until Spring to go on to Japan.

Japan is a great place, great sailing and a massive bureaucracy...in one month of cruising we were boarded by 33 officials and filled in the same form 8 times even though every official had copies of the previous forms.

[Pelagic]

Yes, that is an alternate route via the Marshals, but for me less interesting.

If you haven't read their blog, see how Sobraon did it.

https://sobraon.wordpress.com/author/sobraon/

[SV Pino]

Thank you I will have a look at Sobaron's blog.
We used to live in Tokyo, it will be nice to return by sail.

Moondancer, do you have a blog where you document your trip and timeline?