Any Exp Living Aboard in Japan ?

[capcook]

Looking for any advice/insight/opinion/stories about living aboard in or around Japan.. how difficult is it to find a marina that will allow live aboards and at what cost... primarily interested in south Japan e.g. Kyoto/Osaka area but any experience in this part of the world would be appreciated...

Cheers

[TOM]

Go to " Sailing and Cruiseing stories" and check out a boat called ILLYWACKER .They spent many years in Japan {one of the best kept secrets}

[capcook]

Tom,

Thank you so much for that link, it was a very interesting read indeed and I would not have found it if not for you taking the time to share... so Thanks again !!!

Cheers

[RRR]

I lived aboard an aircraft carrier in Yokosuka for a few years. I didn't have any problems at all.

Seriously though, my girlfriend there had a big boat that she lived on. It sure was convenient because she would pick me up after work when we were in port and it was just a short trip across the harbor to her slip. All I really remember about it was it's pretty expensive. Anything is in Japan by our standards.

[Zanshin]

I lived in the Kobe/Osaka area for many years and a friend of mine's father had a largish boat either in Rokko or Ashiya and at the time they didn't allow permanent liveaboards; that might have changed since. The Japanese visa (non-tourist) is also coupled with an address, so that might cause some problems as well. I think that if you head up towards the Nara side of Osaka bay you might find it easier to liveaboard than on the Kobe side since it isn't quite as crowded.

Gambatte!

[Out of the Blue]

the trouble with living aboard in Japan is that if you're planning to stay more than 6 months, you need a Foreign resident permit (Gaikokujintoudokushomeisho) which will only be issued if you have a physical address in Japan. You can't get one of these showing your address as SV Queenie, berth 26, pier J, Sunset Marina...

Unless you can find a way around the address (rent a room in town, marry a local), you're out of luck.

This and similar information from www.sail-japan.info

[capcook]

Originally Posted by Out of the Blue

Unless you can find a way around the address (rent a room in town, marry a local), you're out of luck.

OOTB... Thank you for the reply and that link, very interesting. I wonder if I can use my Father-In-Law's home address, does the place have to be owned / rented by the person making the application?

Thanks again..

Cheers

[Out of the Blue]

That'd probably work. As long as he doesn't mind.

Next thing to do would be to find a marina where they will let you live. Don't expect a mail box. Basically, the smaller the marina, the better your chances.

Where abouts are you thinking to stay?

Originally Posted by capcook

OOTB... Thank you for the reply and that link, very interesting. I wonder if I can use my Father-In-Law's home address, does the place have to be owned / rented by the person making the application?

Thanks again..

Cheers

[capcook]

OOTB,

We would likely need to stay south, Osaka or Kobe area would be best for us... Do you live there now ?

Cheers

[Out of the Blue]

Yup. North of Kobe.
Can fill you in on local marinas anytime.

What do you need to know (and are you here now?)

[mangomuffins]

Originally Posted by TOM

Go to " Sailing and Cruiseing stories" and check out a boat called ILLYWACKER .They spent many years in Japan {one of the best kept secrets}

tom,

I am unable to locate. can you help?

mm

[Out of the Blue]

Originally Posted by mangomuffins

tom,

I am unable to locate. can you help?

mm

You can find the article here.

[Pelagic]

I have done two 3 month cruises in Japan (1988 and 1994) Both were incredible and the people treated yachts very well as Illywhacker said, especially further south.

However, I was quite disappointed by the amount of plastic garbage pollution in the Inland Sea. It just didn’t jive with the immense pride the Japanese took in their homes and gardens.


Lots of rules but worth the effort

[mangomuffins]

Originally Posted by Out of the Blue

You can find the article here.

Thanks... food, culture, ambience. Looks like a great cruise
mm