YouTube HD Video: https://youtu.be/GiiqHBETKSI
mic21 has long been a pilgrimage destination for divers across Asia. With a showroom spanning well over a hundred tsubo, thousands of products line the shelves in a dazzling display that makes it impossible to leave empty-handed. Bright, organized racks and clearly marked prices elevate the dive-shopping experience to an entirely new level. With 11 branches across Japan's major cities, mic21 satisfies every diver's urge to stock up on gear no matter where they are. As the diving markets in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China have grown, however, local brick-and-mortar and online retailers have emerged in increasing numbers — and mic21 has had to break new ground to stay ahead. This time, BlueTrend has teamed up with mic21 to highlight some of Japan's most unique and best-selling dive products, so that divers planning a trip to Japan can start zeroing in on their wish lists online! If you'd like to check stock availability, feel free to email the individual branches directly!
Bonus info: All mic21 stores nationwide in Japan are running a Grand Clearance Sale from 1/18 to 2/16, 2020 — 10% off everything store-wide, with select items at 30% off or more, and older models going at rock-bottom prices! For example, the beloved TG-6 bundle set is being sold at a saving of NT$6,000. With the Japanese yen at a favorable rate right now, there's never been a better time to splurge! The Okinawa store is also offering an additional ¥2,000 coupon through January 31 (link included)! Note: Actual prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations — please check with the store directly.
Note: Actual prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations — please check with mic21 directly.
For this feature, we asked Olive, the Taiwan representative at mic21's Naha, Okinawa store, to walk us through the store's top 5 best-selling products and a few additional dive accessory picks. Let's go shopping with Olive!
TOP 1:
Fisheye FIX UNDER WARMER
Rechargeable Heated Vest for Diving
mic21 Fisheye FIX UNDER WARMER Rechargeable Heated Vest
First up, Olive introduces us to this rechargeable heated vest that has been in development and testing for the past couple of years. According to Olive, its Japan launch in late 2019 caused quite a sensation, with divers lining up at mic21 to try it on — so it comes as no surprise that it has claimed a spot on mic21's best-seller chart. As most people know, water temperatures in many parts of Japan drop significantly in winter, making thermal protection gear an essential part of any local diver's kit. This rechargeable heated vest is the perfect solution for divers who dread suiting up in a 5mm wetsuit or a drysuit. According to the manufacturer's test data, wearing this vest inside a wetsuit can raise the temperature from 25°C to 34°C, and inside a drysuit from 27°C to an impressive 46°C — truly remarkable results!
The Fisheye FIX UNDER WARMER is controlled by a wristband-mounted controller that offers 3 temperature settings. Every time you switch levels, a vibration alert lets you know — a thoughtful little touch. The product also comes in two configurations: front-only heating (abdomen) and front-plus-back heating, giving cold-prone water lovers plenty of options to choose from.
The Fisheye FIX UNDER WARMER rechargeable heated vest as worn in real use
Olive is quick to remind everyone: always wear this vest underneath your wetsuit or drysuit — wearing it on the outside will allow water to circulate freely around it, completely defeating its warming purpose! Olive also shared that many Japanese divers who dive in cold-water environments use this vest underneath their drysuit for added warmth. With such versatile functionality, it's easy to see why it earned a place on mic21's sales chart.
TOP 2:
Breaker Out
Custom-Made Wetsuits by Japanese Craftsmen
mic21 Breaker Out Custom Wetsuit
Japan's sense of aesthetics doesn't stop at the water's surface — divers there are equally meticulous about personal style underwater. Custom-made wetsuits are hugely popular in Japan: beyond the seemingly endless array of color combinations and patterns you can mix and match freely, the most important advantage of a custom wetsuit is its superior thermal performance. Off-the-shelf wetsuits come in fixed cuts, with sizing based roughly on height and weight. A custom wetsuit, on the other hand, is tailored entirely to your body — staff at mic21 will take detailed measurements of your height, chest width, hip circumference, and more. The superior fit means superior coverage, and superior coverage means superior warmth. The staff will then discuss your preferred material, with options ranging from 3mm to 5mm neoprene, as well as different material grades. Breaker Out also offers a PREMIUM DRAIN quick-dry fabric option, which features enhanced stretch and fast-drying properties — meaning that after a brief surface interval, you won't have to climb back into a cold, wet wetsuit for your next dive!
On top of all that, navigating the vast selection of colors and patterns is bound to overwhelm even the most decisive shoppers. That's why the store offers an on-screen computer simulation, letting you drag and click your way to your dream wetsuit design before placing your order and checking out.
TOP 3:
World Dive Dry Suits
Custom-Made Drysuits by Japanese Craftsmen
mic21 World Dive Dry Suits Custom Drysuit
If you can get a custom wetsuit, of course you can get a custom drysuit too! World Dive drysuits are proudly 100% Made in Japan, handcrafted by skilled artisans to the highest standards of quality. They also come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects, giving you extra peace of mind throughout your time in a drysuit. It's no wonder World Dive drysuits are hugely popular in Japan — with proper care, a single suit can easily last more than 15 years. In addition to neoprene models, World Dive also offers Shell Dry variants for divers with different use cases and budgets. And as with any custom suit, the key benefit is a fit that is measured and tailored entirely to your body — a level of comfort that simply cannot be matched by any off-the-shelf drysuit.
TOP 4:
apollo bio-metal mask PREMIUM/pro
Aluminum-Frame Mask — Type A, B & D Series
mic21 apollo bio-metal mask PREMIUM/pro Aluminum-Frame Type A, B & D Series Mask
As the saying goes, your skills underwater can lag — but your gear never should! If you want to take stunning photos beneath the surface, a sleek, eye-catching mask is an absolutely essential accessory. The most sought-after mask at mic21 in 2019 was undoubtedly the apollo metal-frame mask. It comes in a wide range of colors and your choice of aluminum or stainless steel frame. Boasting one of the lowest internal volumes on the market, it is also a top pick among freedivers who love underwater photography. While the freediving market in Japan is still developing, the sport has seen a surge in popularity among divers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau in recent years — and with a mask like this, your options for stylish, functional eyewear are more diverse than ever!
Lens options include prescription lenses and UV-protective lenses, while the mask skirt can be customized in either white or black. Olive also specifically recommends the polarized lens option for enhanced underwater clarity. If you're hoping to capture a beautiful underwater portrait, this is one product you simply cannot miss!
TOP 5:
apollo bio-filter
Air Purifier and Humidifier
mic21 apollo bio-filter Air Purifier and Humidifier
Last but not least, we have a product that is a firm favorite among experienced divers in both Japan and Taiwan — the apollo air purifier and humidifier. Do you ever finish a dive with a dry, parched mouth? Or have you had the misfortune of breathing from a dirty scuba tank / cylinder and feeling nauseous? Simply attach this device to your first stage regulator, and your next dive will be noticeably more comfortable and pleasant. Olive shared a story from a regular customer who, after using the filter for a period of time and then removing it, discovered a visible layer of grime — just the thought of all that tank residue being inhaled into your lungs is enough to make your skin crawl. So if you're committed to high-quality diving, this is the product for you!
Olive's Bonus Picks:
Olympus TG-6 Underwater Housing Bundle & mic21 Exclusive Ring Strobe DL2001
Olympus TG-6 Underwater Housing Bundle and mic21 Exclusive Ring Strobe DL2001
Why recommend the TG-6? Can't you buy it in Taiwan too? No, no, no — buying the TG-6 bundled with the official underwater housing in Japan is already cheaper than in Taiwan, and when you factor in the weak yen and tax-free shopping, the combined savings really add up. And if you time your purchase to coincide with mic21's nationwide Grand Clearance Sale running from 1/18 to 2/16, 2020, you'll be grinning from ear to ear. The Editor did the math and confirmed you can save a cool NT$6,000 right there. The Okinawa store is also offering an additional ¥2,000 coupon through January 31 (link included)!
In addition, the ring strobe exclusive to mic21 is highly recommended for beginners getting into underwater photography. It features 5 levels of continuous lighting as well as 2 strobe flash modes — and no fiber optic cable required. For divers just starting out in underwater photography, it's a fantastic training tool. The DL2001 charges via USB for easy power top-ups. Best of all, the handle can be swapped out for an optional bulb attachment, converting it into a 1,200-lumen Flash Light — two tools in one, maximum value!
Olive's Bonus Picks: The Umi-Nchu Sandals Every Okinawa Dive Instructor Wears & Marine Publications
mic21 Essential Umi-Nchu Sandals for Diving
In Okinawa, every single dive instructor wears these flip-flop sandals — and they come with Olive's full endorsement. Sturdy, durable, and slip-resistant, they are the go-to footwear for instructors heading to shore dive sites in Japan, where wearing neoprene booties isn't always the norm. A true essential — how could you not pick up a pair?!
Marine Publications
For those who love studying marine life, Japanese field guides are something of a treasure trove. Breaking away from the dry, textbook-style format of traditional references, they use illustrations and artwork to bring marine life to life — highly recommended for anyone passionate about ocean ecology.
The mic21 Naha, Okinawa store doesn't just stock a dazzling range of products — it also offers a wide variety of dive trip packages throughout Okinawa. Beyond the main island, you'll find itineraries covering Kerama, Aka Island, Ishigaki, and even Yonaguni Hammerhead Shark trips. If you're visiting Okinawa and want to add a Japan dive trip to your holiday, we highly recommend reaching out to Olive, the Taiwan representative at the Naha store. She speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, and Japanese — four languages to make you feel right at home while experiencing the warm, attentive service that Japan is known for!
Bonus info: All mic21 stores nationwide in Japan are running a Grand Clearance Sale from 1/18 to 2/16, 2020 — 10% off everything store-wide, with select items at 30% off or more, and older models going at rock-bottom prices! For example, the beloved TG-6 bundle set is being sold at a saving of NT$6,000. With the Japanese yen at a favorable rate right now, there's never been a better time to splurge! The Okinawa store is also offering an additional ¥2,000 coupon through January 31 (link included)! Note: Actual prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations — please check with the store directly.
How to Get to mic21 Naha, Okinawa
- By monorail/train: After getting off at the nearest station, walk along the river toward National Route 58. Once you reach Route 58, turn right and continue straight past a bicycle shop, a FamilyMart, a JUMBO Pachigo store, and an Okinawa Bank — after three consecutive parking lots, you'll find us! Alternatively, just Google 那霸市前島2-21-13 and you're set!
How to Get to mic21 Naha, Okinawa
- By car: You can park directly at mic21's affiliated parking lot — it's right next to the Okinawa Bank on National Route 58! Please note that it is not a dedicated mic21 lot and has no mic21 signage, so make sure you don't park in the wrong spot. A parking validation ticket will be provided with any purchase!
How to Get to mic21 Naha, Okinawa
Feeling excited after reading all this? If you're heading to Okinawa for the Lunar New Year — or if you have friends who are — spread the word about these incredible deals! Naha store Taiwan representative Olive will be working through the holiday season and on duty at the Okinawa store every day — feel free to drop by, wish her a Happy New Year, have a chat, and haul some gear home with you!
And if you're wondering how this Taiwanese woman ended up working in Okinawa in the first place — stay tuned as she tells us her story of building a life and career on the island...
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