Tim writes: "My girlfriend and I have snorkeled around the coast of Japan — Izu, Shikoku, Sado Island — and now plan to scuba-dive in Okinawa this autumn.
"Up to now we have rented equipment, but are thinking to invest in some of our own gear. Can you recommend somewhere to go to see what's available? We're in Nakano, Tokyo."
The same question is currently being asked on ScubaBoard, an online scuba diving community where you can join 100,000 enthusiasts from all over the world in discussing all matters related to your sport — see www.scubaboard.com/forums/zen-divers/113149-dive-shops-tokyo.html.
Aqros ( www.aqros.jp ) is recommended. Though this site is in Japanese, you can see stock online, and they do their best to help foreign divers. Branches are in Ikebukuro and Shibuya, and — not surprisingly — Okinawa! Scroll down to the end of the site for all phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.
You might also like to know that a club called European Divers (but open to all) organizes group dives and offers support in a social atmosphere — see tokyoeuropeandivers.over-blog.com/.
There is a huge network out there, and once you start, information is limitless.
Only one word of advice: Be very careful about buying anything used. A relative in Chile lost his elder brother due to faulty secondhand equipment. And not so long ago.
Angela Jeffs is a freelance writer and writing guide (www.thewriterwithin.net/). Send questions to [email protected]