2004 Japan

Dragon eel First leg: October 25-30, 2004

The Hotel: Ose Kan, Ose, Izu Peninsula, Japan
Osezaki is about 100 miles south east of Tokyo. This was our 2nd time diving at Osezaki. They had typhoon after typhoon in 2004, and we worried if we can even get there. We managed to get there, and enjoyed Japanese food and diving, but Ben was not enjoying sleeping on tatami floor too much. Ose bay is like Breakwater in Monterey: easy entry and calm water. On the weekend there are so many open water classes that there is no space on the beach. We rented the tank and weights and explored the bay.

Focus of the leg: Diving and shooting south pacific creatures

Dive Sites: Ose bay, and out side of peninsula

Water Temperature: 73-75 F (22-23 C)

Inside of the bay is the muck diving. You may encounter from frog fish to Mola Mola. Diversity of the creatures were amazing. On this trip, we saw dragon eels, a yellow sea horse, lots of lion fish, cuttle fish, squids, scorpion fish, anemone fish and nudibranchs.

From left Glenn Spoerl, Kyoko, Mari Conaway, Kyoko's mother Ayako, Bill Conaway, Ben and Kyoko's nephew Reo in Japanese Yukata-bathrobe with the sashimi-raw fish platter.

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2nd Leg: November 1-4, 2004

The Lodge: Fish Eye, Chichi jima, Tokyo
    Fish Eye has a nice boat and pension with breakfast and dinner. The owner Kasai is an instructor trainer and a dive freak. He simply enjoys diving. Nahomi, a dive master had worked in Palau as a dive master as well, and they both managed to speak in English, which was great for Ben and Glenn. Kasai's wife did a great job feeding us. The food was very good. Only negative part of diving in Ogasawara is getting there by the boat for 24 hours. The boat is not small, but you better had your own food and drinks.
    One afternoon we went to sperm whale watching. We heard their song by the sonar, and watched couple of them. It is not as exciting as humpbacks, but there are times when you can swim with them. Mind you they are not plankton eaters though.

Focus of the leg: diving and sperm whale watching

Dive Sites: Around Chichi-jima, Bonin Islands

Water Temperature: 79-81 F (26-27 C)

    Diving in Ogasawara was spectacular. We saw a pigmy sea horse, big schools of yellow fish, wahoo, schools of cow nose rays, 4 different kinds of lion fish in one dive--- lists keep going, and we had only 9 dives. This is a place to go back.