I noticed a few guys on the winter wetsuit thread mention Japan.MAy be going next year around may for 3 weeks.Is it worth packing the gear?Any particular areas anyone has had experience with?.

Cheers.

Karl

I am currently based in Kyoto doing a 2 year contract. I usually kite on Biwako lake - big body of fresh water just NE of Kyoto, which is about 50 km ( 1 hr drive) away. My wifes hometown is about 150 km north of Kyoto, and I am more or less an honorary local there - a nice, long Japan Sea beach only 20 km away from the inlaws'.

Now, whether you bring gear or not depends highly on where and when you'll be in Japan. As a rule, best, reliable winds are in Spring (April/May, Golden Week holiday) then again in autumn (Sep/Oct, Obon holiday). Winter (Dec/Jan) gets good northerlies - but near-zero air and water temps! Summer (Jun/Jul) is usually doldrums - however - you can luck thermal winds (miniture seabreezes) and of course typhoons (bring southerlies, since rotate ANTI-clockwise). Already getting 30 degree days now - so boardies only Jul-Sep!

Its not like Perth - you can't just hop in the car, and expect to find a strong seabreeze blowing on a beautiful beach. First: Winds are very fickle - gotta learn to read the maps and trust the locals. Second: Wide beaches are limited - many cultural (concrete seawalls, powerlines, roads etc) and natural (rocky coasts, reedy lakeshores) obstructions. Third: Easy to get caught and/or lost in traffic (lights and local roads make it agonisingly slow - average about 50 km/hr).

That said, you can find some real gems of spots. Of course, like anywhere in the world, don't kite alone and especially not on crowded/family beaches. Look for other kiters - I've never had any "locals only" antagonism yet - but it does exist so ask at local windsports shops first on suitable spots.

Email me if you need detailed info - but I can only really help you out if you will be in the Kansai (west Japan) area - plus I'm moving back to Perth at end of Nov this year. While I've done a lot here, I can't wait to get home!

Cheers, Adam.

PS: I too have corresponded with the above fellow - a Brit called Nick Katz - based in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka. I plan to visit him later this summer (i.e. July/August). He wrote a little piece for 'Outdoor Japan':
http://www.outdoorjapan.com/features/ojfeature-kiteboarding.html