Port Harbour or Marina: Shiraishi Island, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture
Latitude: 34 24,50N
Longitude: 133 31.50E
Major Attractions: Solitude (pop 750) Horseshoe Crab Museum,Chikkyo Art Museum, Hiking Course, Kobozan Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Monument
Nearest Port of Entry: Fukuyama
Formalities Arrival: Prior permission should have been sought from the Ministry of Lands to enter the harbor. On arrival call Coast Guard on VHF16. This is a closed port
Formalities Departure: None
Immigration: Not available
Customs: Not available
Coast Guard: Not available
Quarantine: Not available
Harbour master: Not required to visit
Berthing Mooring Options:
Anchorage Options: None
Yacht Club Facilities: None
Haulout Facilities: Unknown
Trades: Unknown
Websites: http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/, http://dollarbooks.tripod.com/moooobar/reservations.html
Japanese Small Ships Guide: None
Charts: Japanese: 137B
Sailing Directions: BA: Japan Pilot, Vol III
Water: Unknown
Fuel: Unknown
LPG: Available, however, non Japanese tanks are difficult to refill due to Government safety regulations. Ocassionally, some gas resellers will fill your tank, especially if it is a small family owned establishment.
Marine Vendors: Unknown
ATMs: As always the most efficient way to get money from your overseas account in Japan is through the Post Office system of ATMs. Available in town (open Mon-Fri).
Shops & Markets: Very small convenience store.
Postal Services: Available in town (open Mon-Fri).
Hotels & Restaurants: A restaurant and bar which offers no-frills accommodations, San-chan's is the cheapest minshuku on the island and has five rooms. Most foreigners stay at the International Villa on the island, which offers rooms, communal cooking facilities and a shared bath at budget rates.
317 Shiraishi Jima Kasaoka-shi, Okayama 714-0036
Internet/Phones: See "All about the Internet in Japan" on this Blog. See San-chan's on the beach for internet. Coin operated 'phone in town.
Laundry Services: Unknown
Air/Sea/Road Transport: There are three different ferry companies running passenger and car ferries to Shiraishi Island from Kasaoka. JR to rest of Japan from there.
Special Notes: Warning: Most Japanese people, especially the International Villa reservations people, will tell you there is no food available on Shiraishi, so you must bring your own. What they mean is that there is no Western food available on the island. As long as you are willing to eat like a local, there is plenty of food here in the local supermarket. They also sell milk, bread, eggs, cheese, butter, etc.
Other Information: There is no nightlife on Shiraishi other than San-chan's restaurant/Bar and the Moooo! Bar (open only in the summer). There is no town center. There are no traffic lights. There is no video store, convenience store or McDonald's. There is one road, 7 km long, that circles the island.

Disclaimer: The information made available herein is intended as purely a broad guideline for the intending cruising yachtsman. It is not intended as, nor should it be used for navigation. The authors accept no responsibility for its accuracy and therefore cannot be held liable for any consequences of its use.