Question Moving to Tokyo - need advice

[Taldan]

I just got a job offer in Tokyo that I plan in accepting, and had some questions on how I can continue regularly diving

I primarily dive sidemount, and would much prefer to continue doing so. Are there many/any shops that rent sidemount tanks in/around Tokyo?

I didn't plan to get a car (I'd have to convert my license, which requires a road test for me). Is it feasible to dive without a car? (I
I can get everything except tanks into my current dive backpack)

If I got my own tanks, is it feasible to store them near a dive site? Any shops sell a storage service?

I'm mostly concerned with my twice weekly dives where I typically go for an hour or so, drill skills and just float. I don't care about vis, water temps (I'm used to near freezing), or anything to see/do in the water for these. Just that I have an accessible area with at least ~10m of depth ideally

Are there many pool options that are open outside core business hours?

For the record, I lived in Tokyo for a year about 10 years ago, so I speak some Japanese. I'm a bit rusty though, and don't know any diving specific terminology

Any tips or advice is appreciated

Thanks in advance

 

[Umuntu]

@buddhasummer

 

[grantmac]

I dove sidemount near Tokyo. Unfortunately I had to use yoke adapters and same handed tanks.

Not the worst and honestly AMAZING diving. Especially Mikomoto which you can get to by train and stay overnight pretty cheap.

 

[buddhasummer]

I just got a job offer in Tokyo that I plan in accepting, and had some questions on how I can continue regularly diving

I primarily dive sidemount, and would much prefer to continue doing so. Are there many/any shops that rent sidemount tanks in/around Tokyo?

I didn't plan to get a car (I'd have to convert my license, which requires a road test for me). Is it feasible to dive without a car? (I
I can get everything except tanks into my current dive backpack)

If I got my own tanks, is it feasible to store them near a dive site? Any shops sell a storage service?

I'm mostly concerned with my twice weekly dives where I typically go for an hour or so, drill skills and just float. I don't care about vis, water temps (I'm used to near freezing), or anything to see/do in the water for these. Just that I have an accessible area with at least ~10m of depth ideally

Are there many pool options that are open outside core business hours?

For the record, I lived in Tokyo for a year about 10 years ago, so I speak some Japanese. I'm a bit rusty though, and don't know any diving specific terminology

Any tips or advice is appreciated

Thanks in advance

DM with a contact number, happy to chat. I lived there a long time

 

[Taldan]

DM with a contact number, happy to chat. I lived there a long time

Apparently I need to make more posts before I can send a DM so I'll just leave it here for you (and anyone else that wants to give me diving tips: [redacted]

 

[buddhasummer]

Apparently I need to make more posts before I can send a DM so I'll just leave it here for you (and anyone else that wants to give me diving tips):

Delete your phone number. I'll initiate a DM.

 

[Taldan]

I dove sidemount near Tokyo. Unfortunately I had to use yoke adapters and same handed tanks.

Not the worst and honestly AMAZING diving. Especially Mikomoto which you can get to by train and stay overnight pretty cheap.

I hadn't even considered the lack of availability for DIN. Good to hear the diving is amazing. Despite the number of times I've been to Japan, I've never gotten around to diving there. I've heard there are some good caves/caverns too

 

[Taldan]

@buddhasummer was able to answer all my questions. Should out to him for being so helpful

Couple notes for anyone else that may have similar questions:

- Yoke is pretty standard in Japan
- Tanks have different threads, so you can't bring valves from abroad (this was one of my first thoughts, since I have plenty of sidemount valves)
- Servicing and equipment is a lot more expensive in Japan (I'll be sure to stock up on service kits for my regs)

 

[grantmac]

The little 80 steel tanks actually sidemount pretty well, they aren't super negative but sit well on the drop Ds with the tank band next to the boot.
Worth considering replacing the hand wheel on the yoke adapter with a stainless set screw then carrying a tool to swap them. The wheels otherwise can snag bungees. I didn't bother with this step but I was only there a few days.

 

[Alfawolfje]

So sidemount is my bread and butter and I am an instructor based in Tokyo. Let me reply.

"Sidemount tanks" as in the proper (DIN) ones, there is only one divecenter that has them and that will be Shishihama diving center (only techie diving center in Izu). And that is it unfortunately.

Most diving centers have Japanese steel tanks (not the nice Faber ones) which are negative as *** and not suitable for sidemount. There are a couple that have yoke ALU tanks which are doable with an adapter and let me list them here:

East IZU (reachable by train)
- Hayakawa DC
- IOP aka Izu Ocean Park
- Inatori Diving Center

West IZU (need a car)
- Osezaki bay (Osekan or Osper)
- Koganezaki
- Tago

Buying is a whole other topic. Only KHK certified tanks can be filled and used here in Japan. The only company that imports them is Aqualung Japan and they do that once a year once they get enough orders and there is typically no stock (backorder only). These are typically US made tanks so valve threads wil be imperial. Aqualung also sells proper sidemount valves..... proper KHK certified tank come at a PREMIUM price unfortunately. I own 2 sets myself primarily because I need to practice trimix and nobody has those (so mine are certified for it). Technically I can help fill any KHK tank. Storing your own tanks at the divecenter is kind of uncommon.... you would have to be close to the owner. I have been diving and teaching here for 11 years so I have some options.

Forget about pool training in Tokyo.... best best is either Hayakawa (closest to Tokyo), not a pool but shallow 10 meter site, or the pool at Izu Ocean Park. That is currently our main pool for training.

Hope this addresses your questions.... DM me for more info!