John Herreria has been beachcombing the Misawa area of Japan. Here are some pictures of his experiences and of some of the floats that he's found.
This place is rarely beachcombed due to its easily access by Japanese tourists. In the foreground near the waterlie are some plastics floats made in Taiwan and Korea. Hint to fellow beachcombers here in Misawa, this place is famous for its Bird Watching Spots.
This olive green, 4" in diameter float has a double bubble in it. Although I may not show it properly in this picture - it does have a bubble inside.
A 10" diameter Chinese float...one of a kind I've ever found.
These floats were not really hidden, they're more of overflow because the plastic floats are widely used during this time of year.
This area is often beachcombed by fishermen for plastic floats.
This one could've gotten away without the little shiny part reflecting the sun, buried under old scallop shells. Although the net is almost worn out due to...mother nature- I'll keep it as it is.
Credits for The following floats go to USN Chief Gerry Sanmillan (for the crabfloat) and me USN John Herreria (amber floats) both from Misawa.
First one is a rare roller found by my friend Chester Czepyha on his trip to Hokkaido last summer '97.
The amber and the netted 14" incher found from Mutsu Bay 28 Dec 97.
These were found by my friend Gerry Sanmillan at North range on the tip of Honshu island. According to Charles and Kayo Woodward of Misawa Japan, these are actually octopus and squid jigs. When they are new they have bright colored streamers. The octopus and particularly squid, are attracted to the streamers and the clearness of the ball.
These floats with hooks and streamers were accidentally found while I was having a bad day combing the cliffs. That's right, cliffs. I was fortunate to be wearing thick pants, the rusty hooks penetrated thru my socks, too. A few more of these types were found few feet away.