Shima Yacht Harbor in Gokasho-wan Bay
34 18.300N 136 40.300E
| Yacht Habor | MAP |
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Shima Yacht Harbor in Gokasho-wan Bay
Shima Yacht Harbor has Japanese web site:
http://www.vocshima.jp/publics/index/56/
google map Anori→Sima Yacht Habor
Sep 9, 2013 Update
Berth Information: The daily visitor fee is doubled and is now JPY 2,100.
While I visited Shima Yacht Harbor (YH) many times,
this time I tried a short cut closer to the right side and was almost on
the rocks.
You should proceed into the back of the bay a little bit to 34 20.0 N 136
40.8 E.
to open the route to the entrance without pearl farm rafts under which
nets are hanging down in the water.
Then proceed straight to the entrance.
I put my boat at an open space of the pontoon.
When I was going up the slope to check in after mooring,
a young staff said “you may check in there” pointing a building down the
slope.
I saw the top of the slope and found no building which was a beautiful
club house.
At a later day in Setouchi International Yacht Rally, Yamazaki-san,
President of the club, told me that the house had been burned down by an
electric fire.
A young lady at check in strongly required me a prior notice
May 3, 2009
The owner of Shima YH told me that, as the pearl farm rafts are sometimes
changing their locations,
you should understand that the YH entrance will be changed sometimes.
The number of the pearl farm rafts is going down though.
You should see Suzume-jima Island at your left, not right, when you come
in.
Once you find a wide open space, you won’t see any problem.
Nov 2, 2007
To approach Shima YH, you take a course from 34 16.800N 136 40.300E off Gokasho-wan Bay
to Oshima light house 34 18.300N 136 40.300E at a little bit inside of the bay entrance.
Then, passing by the light house at your left in the west, change the course
to Mahana-jima light house.
Then, passing by Mahana-jima light house at your right, you turn to the
west
In 2006, I was taking another north side approach passing by Suzume-jim
at my right,
which was written in Professor Nomoto’s book “Cruising Kumano-nada”.
But, it was hard to recognize.
This time in 2007, I was passing by Suzume-jima at my left and proceeding
through the pearl farm rafts.
Much of the bay water area is filled with the rafts. You should watch them
and carefully move through narrow routes.
If you call Shima YH beforehand, they will reserve a berth for you. Then, they will help your mooring at the pontoon.
When I came here on Nov 2, 2007, the north wind was strong a little bit.
I thought the wind would be down inside the bay though, the wind and the
wave were stronger.
The bay looked a passage of the north wind geographically.
While the wind was strong until the entrance of Shima YH, I was surprised
at the calm water inside Shima YH.
No wave here.
The north wind is blocked. Here is a native well-sheltered harbor.
I felt the wonder of nature. It is said that no rope is required here for
mooring.
Both the facility and the staff of the harbor are excellent. With reasonable fees, here is a wonderful harbor.
Provisions and Restaurants
In 2007, I was walking to Gokasho-ura town for half an hour. It was closer
than I thought.
In 2009, I was riding a bicycle. It took just 15 minutes though, it was
hard to ride thorough the slope up and down.
Once you go out to the road to Gokasho-ura, you will find a big supermarket
with variety of goods.
I recommend a nature-oriented Restaurant “FIVE” in Gokasho-ura town, which
has delicious foods with reasonable prices and comfortable spacious rooms.
You may buy honey, organic lemons and oranges.
But, when I visited the restaurant again in May 2009, I didn’t feel good
than before.
May 13, 2006
Here is no residential house, well sheltered with beautiful green mountains
in three directions.
The landscape and scenery is amazing. As here is the innermost of the bay
and well sheltered, the water is still.
Fuel, Power and Water are available.
A western style toilet with bidet is good !
A wash machine available for JPY200 and a drying machine for JPY100 were
helpful for me.
Separating the garbage, you may take out them. It was also helpful.
24hr hot water showers without bath.
The public transportation accessibility is no good.
It will take half an hour to the nearby bus stand.
The YH staff might drive you there. You might use their luggage car.