I’m seeking assistance or advice from somebody in Japan, or whom has had experience with the Fushiki to Vladivostok ferry.

Presently I’m having difficulty booking fares on the June 24th Fushiki to Vladivostok ferry.

Thru the help of a Japanese friend, I contacted the agent, UNITED ORIENT
SHIPPING & AGENCY Co., Ltd. They told us they only book thru their E-mail address. We were instructed to give my room preference, date of departure, passport number, Date of birth, and credit card number. Since doing this, I have never received conformation. Unfortunately my Japanese speaking friend in no longer available, and uncertain if the message has arrived. Sofar, nothing on credit card show that I’ve been charged.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I hate to miss this date. The next voyage is not till July 4th.

Joe

Maui, Hawaii

This is the contact for United Orent
Tel.: +81-3-5541-7511
Fax: +81-3-3552-7322
(Drop 81 and add 0 at the beginning if you call from inside Japan)
I believe that you want to talk to a Mr. Yoshida.
If they don't respond to repeated e-mail, call fax and/or call. If that doesn't work, have someone call for you when you arrive in Japan.
They have a bad reputation about answering english e-mail. I assume they mistake it for spam before reading. Make sure the title of the e-mail is specific. i.e. "Vladivostok Ferry Reservation" so they know right away. You may have done this. I don't know...

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Mahalo,
I'll think I'll try the fax tommrow.

Again, thanks for the advice.

Joe

Maui, Hawaii

Chris is being far too kind when he says they mistake English e-mails for spam.

While Mr Yoshida Kozo is listed as the agent, I believe that a more useless agent does not exist on this earth

This is the guy that never answered e-mails or faxes (3 of each)
This is the guy who I faxed on one day, immediately confirmed receipt of the fax by telephone and by the next day he had lost the fax
This is the guy that I had to ring every hour to get him to actually issue a ticket
This is the guy who quoted US$530 for the fare including his bank charges of US$20 and when I sent US$530 (also paying my bank fees of NZ$20), he said that I had not sent enough.
Having requested confirmation of the charges and agreeing to pay the outstanding amount, he has not sent the ticket to Fushiki for collection despite my ferry leaving in 3 days time.

I haven't tried the Toyama agent but since the ferry leaves from Fushiki (near Toyama) and you will have to pick up the ticket, why not use FKK Air Service.

United Orient use ANOTHER agent in Fushiki (a company called Fushiki Kairiku Unso Co. Ltd. so cut out the middleman. This whole agency thing is peculiarly Japanese thing. Most companies seem to be agents for other companies, there is a whole mesh thing going on which made sense when communications were expensive. But now it's just another delay in the system

I wish I took a picture of this guy's desk when we where there. Then you would understand why he keeps losing things! ;-)

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Actually the best thing seems to be an e-mail with the "request return receipt" selected.
Or maybe it's just because I have been hassling him on a daily basis that he is sitting up

I found him personally rude when I talked to him on the phone in Japanese. At the time, United Orient was the only listed agent in Japan. I wouldn't deal with that company unless you were in Tokyo and could physically go to their offices. I can tell you from the standpoint of one who is has lived here most of his adult life and speaks Japanese fluently: This guy does not due things politely the way most Japanese do. I would write a letter to the comany to complain, but I assme he has a connection with his boss and it would be of no use.

OK, to more useful information.
FKK Air service is a subsidiary (travel agent) of Fushiki Kairiku Unso Kabushiki Kaishia (Co. Ltd), hense the FKK. They are a shipping conglomorate of some sme sort in Toyama prefecture.
The website of the russian ship company lists FKK as an agent now.
http://bisintour.com/

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Hi Joe
we are also on the same route/ same date
booking by FKK in Toyama, like chris wrote
See you at the port or fighting in the customs office in vladivostok and best wishes
Rocco
Manu & Rocco on Tour

Rocco:
I just want to point out that Joe's post is from two years ago. (Hopefully he's not still in the customs office in Vladisvostok!).

OK i got it

Please tell of your experiences getting reservations for the ferry in Japan and clearing customs in Vladivostok.
People ask me alot, so I would appreciate the latest info.
(Of course, things change all the time. The price for customs clearance doubled in one week in 2003!)

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