Some floats after a day at the beach
Mr. B and Bubby with Floats, this gives you an idea how big some are!
Boo with 2 floats he found, one a rare small rolling pin one…these are hard to find on the beach as they easily roll right back into the ocean.
One of the fun and adventurous hobbies in Japan is beach combing for Japanese glass fishing floats. You go comb the shoreline and search for these keepsakes. It’s the thrill of the find and the adventure that keeps people out looking for them. We enjoy it because it’s something we can do as a family. Although in order to get many floats you have to get up early (4 amish) to beach the Japanese to the beach and find them. There are various sizes and colors. You can often purchae them from local vendors but for us it’s just not the same as finding them. Plus some finds can bring in good profits as many of the rare ones are sought after by collectors and they are willing to pay good $ for them.
Sea glass is often another sought out item. It’s pieces of broken floats that has been made smooth but it’s time in the sea and the sand. We have a large vase filled with this, it makes a great decoration as well as reminder of our time in Japan.
This is one of the things I’ll miss when we leave Japan behind….
Debbie says
Interesting….I never heard about those. My brother (who was in the Air Force) was stationed in Okinawa and never mentioned anything like this. I wonder if it is just in certain parts???
Debbie says
Interesting hobby for the family, though. Have fun packing them up and bringing them back to the states.
Thea says
We are in Misawa now 🙂 and I just found your blog 🙂 Where did you have the best luck? I know it is a luck thing and check the weather, but I have 3 kids with the youngest being one and so I only get to do this every so often 🙁 Awesome blog by the way 🙂
Mrs. B says
You have to go really early in the morning because old Japanese men walk along the beach & pick them up. Best after storms as well. We had the best luck on the NE coastline, you just need to find a spot where you can search along that side. Good luck!