I thought there was a thread about Mikomoto already, but couldnt find one.

Anyway. Going to Japan early autumn and have set my sights on Mikomoto.

Recommendation needed on operator, accommodation, ect. The whole lot.

I know theres the occasional storm when diving is cancelled and im thinking for a week, but is that too much?

Also do the operator offer for example macro diving at Izu if Mikomoto is stormed off? Or is this to be arranged on your own?

Lens choices, most footage is from far away in the blue, so strobes can be left in hotel im sure?

Sony full frame shooter, what are best options? Or just GoPro?

Any help appreciated.

I'm in Japan but haven't been yet so can't offer practical advice.
i do know that strobes are not allowed for the hammerhead dives at Yonaguni, not sure if it's the same at Mikomoto, would need to look into footage. There's no mention of it on their Q&A, so probably ok.

Speaking of which, watch Kirin's documercial on Mikomoto-hammers if you haven't already to get a feel for it:
https://waterpixels.net/forums/topic/1881-documentary-on-mikomoto-hammers-mikomoto-japan/

A week sounds on the longuish side given that it's going on a packed boat in often rough seas to do short dives, might be a little intense.
I doubt they organize actual macro diving on the peninsula as they're very much focused on drift dives around the islet, but they might have partner operations. Look into transport though, not really sure how access is.

Mikomoto Hammers does mention this on their site:
If the sea conditions are poor and we cannot make the dive at Mikomoto Island, is it possible to dive at another site?
Yes, it is possible to dive at another site if you make a request to do so. However, where we choose to dive will depend on the sea conditions on that day. So, for example, if the west wind is too strong, we will dive on the east side of the peninsula.


cheers

Edited January 15Jan 15 by bghazzal

A Japan "dive tour" is on my wishlist since a couple of years, I am also looking for all sorts of information (besides Ben and Kayo's insights), especially around this area. FWIW 2 weeks ago at Paris Salon de la Plongée (The french dive show) I discussed with Mikiya Watamatsu the chief guide from natureinn.jp an Osezaki operation (the macro site located inside the bay). He told me it was possible to organize both Mikomoto and Osezaki dives, probably they have a partnership whith Mikomoto hammers op (they were neighbors sharing the same Japan booth) It requires a 2hrs drive from Osezaki to get to the south of the peninsula where Mikomoto dives start.

From the photos he showed me, it seems there is more than macro in Osezaki, like 2-3m high dendronepthya soft corals (!!) and monkfish.

Maybe worthwhile mailing this op on whether they organize "best of both worlds" package or try to meet them while they're on tour attending the european trade shows (I suppose they were also at BOOT, probably Houten and Bologna too... a bit late for Tampere) .

15 hours ago, Luko said:

A Japan "dive tour" is on my wishlist since a couple of years, I am also looking for all sorts of information (besides Ben and Kayo's insights), especially around this area. FWIW 2 weeks ago at Paris Salon de la Plongée (The french dive show) I discussed with Mikiya Watamatsu the chief guide from natureinn.jp an Osezaki operation (the macro site located inside the bay). He told me it was possible to organize both Mikomoto and Osezaki dives, probably they have a partnership whith Mikomoto hammers op (they were neighbors sharing the same Japan booth) It requires a 2hrs drive from Osezaki to get to the south of the peninsula where Mikomoto dives start.

From the photos he showed me, it seems there is more than macro in Osezaki, like 2-3m high dendronepthya soft corals (!!) and monkfish.

Maybe worthwhile mailing this op on whether they organize "best of both worlds" package or try to meet them while they're on tour attending the european trade shows (I suppose they were also at BOOT, probably Houten and Bologna too... a bit late for Tampere) .

One good person to ask regarding Osezaki would be Kenji ICHIMURA.
He runs Dive in Japan ( NPO Japan Diving Experience) working to facilitate diving in Japan for non-Japanese speakers.
Contact info is here: https://dive-in-japan.com/contact-dive-japan

I know Osezaki also happens to be his diving home base, and he recently wrote an article on Osezaki for X-Ray Mag here:
https://xray-mag.com/content/osezaki-gateway-deep-heart-suruga-bay

I've heard he was at the Salon de la Plongée this year, so you might actually have met him there 😁

Edited Tuesday at 09:39 AM3 days by bghazzal

2 hours ago, bghazzal said:

I've heard he was at the Salon de la Plongée this year, so you might actually have met him there 😁

Actually I have... without knowing who he was, he was sitting next to Mikiya and describing me the endemic japanese pygmy seahorse in Osezaki.