Konpira Consulting was established in 2018 to help foreign cruisers make the most of their Japan cruising experience. Kirk Patterson, Konpira Consulting’s Chief Sailing Officer, spent six years cruising Japan and is the first (and still only) foreigner to do a full Japan circumnavigation. A native of Canada, he is fluent in Japanese and based in Fukuoka.

Among the services provided by Konpira Consulting are:

– Assisting with clearing-in procedures

– Helping clients obtain Closed-Port and “Naikosen” permits (to minimise the paperwork required while cruising Japan)

– Advising on how to set up a client’s boat for cruising Japan, especially for mooring in fishing ports

– Preparing voyage plans

– Advising on moorage options

– Making marina and Umi-no-Eki (Sea Station) reservations

– Providing weather forecasts and advising on weather-related moorage/passage decisions

– Providing tide and current information

– Introducing boat-repair and haul-out facilities

– Helping clients obtain SIM cards, cell phones, and “pocket wifi” hotspot hubs

– Accepting delivery of, and forwarding, packages and mail

– Advising on sightseeing opportunities and making land-based sightseeing arrangements (e.g., hotel, train, and car reservations)

– Providing emergency interpretation support, in person or over the phone.

Services are generally provided on a monthly retainer basis. 

Kirk is the Japan Port Officer for the Ocean Cruising Club.

Discounts: For members of the Ocean Cruising Club and the Bluewater Cruising Association, Konpira Consulting offers two hour of free consultation, a 50% discount on the start-up Consulting Fee (￥60,000, covering general route planning, Japan cruising orientation, etc.), and a 10% discount on all other fees. In addition, a 16m floating dock on the island of Suo-Oshima in the Seto Inland Sea is available for their use at no cost.