2014 Oshima Leavers Party

Another year, another rotation of our JET family members! July is drawing near, and it will soon be time to say goodbye to those who will be leaving us. In line with the well-established and revered tradition of the years past, this year's Leavers' Party will take place on Oshima Island in Kesennuma Bay. Come join us in this rite of passage whether you are leaving or staying!
When?
Afternoon of June 28, 2014 (Sat.) through the following morning.
     Check-in time: 13:00-20:00
     Check-out time: 11:00

How much?
5500 yen per person. This covers dinner, your stay in a wonderful weatherproof tent (remember the bug spray, though!), and breakfast the following day.

Make sure to sign up by Saturday, June 21 using the Google Docs form at the bottom of this page. Joining the Facebook event page does not count as RSVPing!

What is provided?
  • Food
    Dinner includes a yakiniku and seafood package, which we cook by ourselves; breakfast is buffet-style.
  • Accommodation
    4 people to a tent. Two blankets and a urethane mat are provided for each person. Tents are weatherproof and on elevated platforms, so do not worry about waking up in a puddle should the tsuyu attack.

What facilities are on-site?
  • Administrative building
  • Kitchens (3)
  • Shop
    (Specializing in beer, juice, sweets, ice-cream, cup ramen, ice, firewood, and charcoal; please note that food here may be more expensive than on a non-island conbini/supermarket)
  • Vending machines
    (Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
  • Campfire
  • Baths (18:00-20:00, 500 yen)
    Showers (24/7, 200 yen for 3 minutes, super value!)

What should I bring?
  • 5500 yen
  • Drinks
    The Leavers' Party is BYOB, so you have the freedom to decide how you will be intoxicated! Bring something for yourself and/or something to share.
  • Extra food/snacks
    Dinner and breakfast are included in the humble 5500 yen participation fee, but feel free to bring extra calories.
  • Extra bedding if you would like to increase your comfort level
  • Musical instruments (banjos and balalaikas welcome), cardboard games, soccer balls/footballs, whatever (appropriate) forms of entertainment your heart desires!
  • Insect repellant
    To protect yourself from the beasts of the wild.
  • Swimming clothes
    There is a beach a short walk away from the campsite.
  • Ipod/camera/phone/other electronic devices and their chargers

More information:
Can be found here.
About
The island of Oshima is located in Kesennuma, about 3 hours north of Sendai and has a population of approximately 3,400 (spread out over its 9 sq. km). Kameyama, with a summit of 235 m above sea level, offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area, and Kugunarihama beach is also within walking distance from the campsite, so get your hiking shoes and swimming gear ready!
Transportation
Since Oshima is a good 3-hour drive to the north of Sendai, we will be arranging carpools! Please make sure to indicate on the sign-up form if you are a kind-hearted soul who would be willing to bring additional passengers in your vehicle, or alternatively, if you are in need of a ride. As an enticing side note, drivers will receive 500 yen per each extra person they bring in their cars!

While we will try to arrange carpools to accommodate everyone, we cannot absolutely guarantee you space in a four-wheeled Oshima-bound vehicle. In these unfortunate circumstances (or if you do not care to carpool), there are ways of getting to Oshima using public transportation, so do not worry! (The Kesennuma ferry port is about a 10-minute taxi ride from the Kesennuma JR Station.)

Although there is a car ferry that can carry you and your vehicle to Oshima, it is recommended that you leave your car in one of the parking lots near the Kesennuma ferry port. There is a free parking lot right next to the ferry port, and a few other lots which are all a 15 to 25-minute walk away from the port.

Once you have arrived at the port (and secured a parking spot for yourself, if applicable) it is an enjoyable 25-minute ferry ride over to Oshima Island (400 yen one-way), then about a 5-minute bus ride to the campsite.

You can find a detailed ferry schedule here.
Sign me up!
Please fill out the form below by Saturday, June 21 to sign up for the 2014 Oshima Leavers Party - this is the only official way to sign up (Facebook event responses do not count as officially RSVPing)!