Temperatures in japan

[leeroy]

Hi!

Does anyone know what temperatures i can expect in japan? what suit should i take? 3mm or 5mm? is it really as cold as they say - is it like england in winter?

any advice would be gratedully recieved!
Leeroy

[Todd]

Depends where you are Leroy. As you'd guess, the south is warmer than the north. In winter many Japanese wear 5 mils all the way down to Kyushu although I tough it out with a 3 mm and extra vest. Chiba and south catches a warm current. North of there catches a cold current so the temperatures vary a great deal depending whether or not your north or south of Chiba. The west coast is considerably colder than the east coast. Hokkaido surfers are rumored to wear 5mm in summer. Aomori and south can get away with 3mm (maybe less) in summer. Chiba and south, you can trunk it in summer.