Metal detecting in Japan

[Donguri]

So to apply this to Japan's L&F laws : Is it actually applied to fumble fingers rings on the beach ? I dunno. The guy I talked to said that it didn't apply to beach jewelry . Or, at least .... no one said squat to him. Does this mean that if he had gone asking enough bureaucrats there "Can I ?", that he might have been appraised otherwise ? Sure. And then he'd have just become the latest victim of : "No one cared TILL you asked"

Japanese police are often anal about things like this. Even beach rings. I have been approached by police a couple times in regards to turning in finds (once on beach and once in a park), and had the police called on me by curious onlookers. The time they were called on me in a park they hit me with the "turn in finds of value" as well as the "destruction of public property" for cutting roots to nearby bushes. Had to open up a couple plugs to show them I was digging around roots not through them to avoid a $1,000 ticket and confiscation of my detector.
As far as I've been able to research, however, there are no specific laws about metal detecting, and the Lost and Found laws "appear" to be only for items found on the surface.
Metal detecting is almost unheard of in Japan as a hobby, and 'treasure hunting' (as they see it) is generally frowned upon. Add that to being a white foreigner that is 'scary' to approach, overly interested people will not hesitate to call the police on you.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

........ Even beach rings. I have been approached by police ...

Yes, this happened to me in the USA too: A police lady "approached" me who wondered "gee, does this fall afoul of L&F laws" ? And she instructed me to take any rings I found, on the beach in-their-city, to the police dept. So as to be in proper compliance with L&F laws. SURE !


And she was even kind enough to tell me that, if I found a ring after-hours, that if the police dept. office was closed (in this small beach side resort town community, had 8am to 5pm business hours) to simply put any rings through the night mail deposit slot in the door. .... Uh....... Ok.

 

[Donguri]

Yes, this happened to me in the USA too: A police lady "approached" me who wondered "gee, does this fall afoul of L&F laws" ? And she instructed me to take any rings I found, on the beach in-their-city, to the police dept. So as to be in proper compliance with L&F laws. SURE !


And she was even kind enough to tell me that, if I found a ring after-hours, that if the police dept. office was closed (in this small beach side resort town community, had 8am to 5pm business hours) to simply put any rings through the night mail deposit slot in the door. .... Uh....... Ok.

You clearly don't understand the police situation in Japan, so I'm finished commenting. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Rock Jock]

You don't need to live in Japan to understand an authoritarian mindset. Trust me, it's global. I suggest they take on the flagrant metal detection cabal after they take down the Yakuza. I notice tech giant Japan is a no show in metal detection. I'm waiting for Sony's and Toshiba's latest models with the personal vibrator functions for added sensory target characterization.

 

[Maginot]

I'm living in Kyoto so there is quite an abundance of nature here, I would one day love to hunt in the wilder parts. A forest or something would be ideal as I am always conscious of people watching me. The nearby places that aren't parks though are kind of fenced off and/or have no entry signs so I cannot legally hunt in those locations unfortunately.
Since it is a very new hobby for me and I'm still learning a lot, I'm currently not really thinking of finding anything of real note, I'm simply enjoying the hobby. If I find a gold ring or something, fantastic. If I find bottle caps and nails, so be it. I never imagined it could be so relaxing.
The only problem though - which is why I made this thread - is that digging is a real pain. My wrist is actually in pain as I type this from excessive pushing and wriggling of the tool I'm using to dig. My dad always told me a bad workman blames his tools. I do think this holds truth and I also think I could refine my technique on digging better. But this tool is really not good for digging these types of holes, it's designed for gardening. I should of bought one designed for metal detecting from the start lol.

Unfortunately I am about 5 hours by car from Kyoto but have been detecting in Japan for one year now mostly in the wilderness. Soil and plant types are very variable. Dwarf bamboo is a nightmare for digging and best avoided but mostly it has been in forested soil under trees with some roots and only small and fairly loose rocks. A small sharp spade with a foot step has worked in most cases. As for the occasional onlooker, they have been nothing but fascinated and very interested to learn about the history and any finds. If any kids are around, it has really made their day if I can help them find a coin. Finds have mostly been historical rather than of any real value. A good indicator of the site is whether you start finding parts of Kiseru pipes. About 1000 coins so far to date of which about half are the more interesting (at least to me) pre Edo period Toraisen and Eirakusen and Sengoku period relics. Can send photos if any interest.

 

[Rammjäger]

Hello Tommyboy and welcome to the forum.
I don't have a Lesche but I have this sparagus
digging tool which I modified the grip and
serrated edge.

 

[VirginiaBikeGirl]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here. Seems to be a great community, I've really enjoyed reading about peoples finds and adventures.

I'm living in Japan and have decided to pick up metal detecting as a hobby. So far I've found a couple of bullets and coins. It's really relaxing, the time seems to just glide by while I search for targets. It's like fishing on the land.
I've only been detecting in parks as they're nearby and I'm still very green to detecting. The thing is, the surface in parks where I live is mostly dirt and gravel mixed up. The dirt is very tough and full of stones about the size of chicken eggs. When I locate a target, I find it really draining digging through the stones and tough soil to reach it. I was wondering if there were any specific digging tools you could recommend that would give me an easier time cutting through the ground.
To be honest, the current tool I'm using is a serrated gardening tool. It is sturdy, but I think it's probably not the right thing to use for digging. When it meets any tree roots it can't cut through without excessive thrusts. Rocks/stones give it a hard time too.

Also, any general tips from veterans for a newbie in this hobby?
Cheers.

I sometimes search gravel parking lots. I use a small camping shovel with a spade and a pick. I set them at opposing angles perpendicular to the handle. That way I can break up the gravel with the pick and then easily scrape away excess with the small shovel. I also attached a strong magnet in the middle to attract nails and other iron targets.

 

[james45]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here. Seems to be a great community, I've really enjoyed reading about peoples finds and adventures.

I'm living in Japan and have decided to pick up metal detecting as a hobby. So far I've found a couple of bullets and coins. It's really relaxing, the time seems to just glide by while I search for targets. It's like fishing on the land.
I've only been detecting in parks as they're nearby and I'm still very green to detecting. The thing is, the surface in parks where I live is mostly dirt and gravel mixed up. The dirt is very tough and full of stones about the size of chicken eggs. When I locate a target, I find it really draining digging through the stones and tough soil to reach it. I was wondering if there were any specific digging tools you could recommend that would give me an easier time cutting through the ground.
To be honest, the current tool I'm using is a serrated gardening tool. It is sturdy, but I think it's probably not the right thing to use for digging. When it meets any tree roots it can't cut through without excessive thrusts. Rocks/stones give it a hard time too.

Also, any general tips from veterans for a newbie in this hobby?
Cheers.

Hmmm,was there back in the 60's and could not wait to come back home.USMC. Beware where you go watch your back

 

[Donguri]

Unfortunately I am about 5 hours by car from Kyoto but have been detecting in Japan for one year now mostly in the wilderness. Soil and plant types are very variable. Dwarf bamboo is a nightmare for digging and best avoided but mostly it has been in forested soil under trees with some roots and only small and fairly loose rocks. A small sharp spade with a foot step has worked in most cases. As for the occasional onlooker, they have been nothing but fascinated and very interested to learn about the history and any finds. If any kids are around, it has really made their day if I can help them find a coin. Finds have mostly been historical rather than of any real value. A good indicator of the site is whether you start finding parts of Kiseru pipes. About 1000 coins so far to date of which about half are the more interesting (at least to me) pre Edo period Toraisen and Eirakusen and Sengoku period relics. Can send photos if any interest.

What part of Japan are you in?

 

[davemill]

My wrist is actually in pain as I type this from excessive pushing and wriggling of the tool I'm using to dig. My dad always told me a bad workman blames his tools.

Your Dad was correct, when the tool was designed for the job at hand. But just as a wrench (spanner) is not designed to drive a nail, your hand shovel was not designed to dig through egg-sided rocks.

Predator Tools makes a number of long-handled shovels designed for metal detecting. Those with a round blade profile leave the cleanest plugs in soil, although those with V-profile blades may dig more aggressively through rocky soil. I seldom bend over since purchasing the Predator Hurricane last month:

Model 33- The Hurricane - Shovel

Developed in 2018 YES--THIS MODEL FITS FOOTPADS Overall Length: 38 1/4 inches Blade Length: 9 inches Blade width: just under 6 inches Weight: 3 pounds

www.predatortools.com

Regarding pinpointers, much advice exists here on the forum. I've used a Garrett ProPointer for the last 12 years with good results.

 

[Maginot]

What part of Japan are you in?

What part of Japan are you in?

Hi, I’m in Koshinestu

 

[Maginot]

What part of Japan are you in?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/aw/d/B098WMBPZX?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This is available on Amazon Japan, cheap, tough and fits in a backpack. Sharp enough to cut through most roots

 

[Donguri]

Hi, I’m in Koshinestu

Ah OK. Other direction from Kyoto than me. I'm in southern Kyushu.

 

[Tommyboy Japan]

Unfortunately I am about 5 hours by car from Kyoto but have been detecting in Japan for one year now mostly in the wilderness. Soil and plant types are very variable. Dwarf bamboo is a nightmare for digging and best avoided but mostly it has been in forested soil under trees with some roots and only small and fairly loose rocks. A small sharp spade with a foot step has worked in most cases. As for the occasional onlooker, they have been nothing but fascinated and very interested to learn about the history and any finds. If any kids are around, it has really made their day if I can help them find a coin. Finds have mostly been historical rather than of any real value. A good indicator of the site is whether you start finding parts of Kiseru pipes. About 1000 coins so far to date of which about half are the more interesting (at least to me) pre Edo period Toraisen and Eirakusen and Sengoku period relics. Can send photos if any interest.

I would absolutely love to see pictures of your finds.
I haven't had the pleasure of helping any kids find a coin, but I can imagine it must feel nice to see their faces light up as you go on a little adventure to hunt down the missing coin(s) haha.
Have you found Kiseru pipes before? I'd really love to see. I haven't gone metal detecting for a month or so now because the garden tool I'm digging with has gone dull, it's really not made for this kind of hobby. My fault, really.
Also, thank you for your link to the tool on Amazon, I'm going to add it to my list. I'm going to buy a pinpointer and a new digging tool so I can really get back into this hobby.

 

[Tommyboy Japan]

Hello Tommyboy and welcome to the forum.
I don't have a Lesche but I have this sparagus
digging tool which I modified the grip and
serrated edge.

Thank you, it's a pleasure to be here.
Do you find digging through stones and such to be easy with your modified sparagus tool?

 

[Tommyboy Japan]

Your Dad was correct, when the tool was designed for the job at hand. But just as a wrench (spanner) is not designed to drive a nail, your hand shovel was not designed to dig through egg-sided rocks.

Predator Tools makes a number of long-handled shovels designed for metal detecting. Those with a round blade profile leave the cleanest plugs in soil, although those with V-profile blades may dig more aggressively through rocky soil. I seldom bend over since purchasing the Predator Hurricane last month:

Model 33- The Hurricane - Shovel

Developed in 2018 YES--THIS MODEL FITS FOOTPADS Overall Length: 38 1/4 inches Blade Length: 9 inches Blade width: just under 6 inches Weight: 3 pounds

www.predatortools.com

Regarding pinpointers, much advice exists here on the forum. I've used a Garrett ProPointer for the last 12 years with good results.

That's right. My hand shovel has grown very dull now, so I haven't been detecting in a while. I'm not going to go again until I have a new digging tool and a pinpointer.
I think this might be a good website to order a new tool on, I haven't seen it until now, thank you for sharing it with me. I'm hoping to find a relatively small tool though so I can fit it comfortable in my backpack.

 

[Tommyboy Japan]

I sometimes search gravel parking lots. I use a small camping shovel with a spade and a pick. I set them at opposing angles perpendicular to the handle. That way I can break up the gravel with the pick and then easily scrape away excess with the small shovel. I also attached a strong magnet in the middle to attract nails and other iron targets.

The idea of attaching a strong magnet to the tool has never occurred to me, but it sounds like such a good idea to make life that little bit easier when finding a target.

 

[Maginot]

I would absolutely love to see pictures of your finds.
I haven't had the pleasure of helping any kids find a coin, but I can imagine it must feel nice to see their faces light up as you go on a little adventure to hunt down the missing coin(s) haha.
Have you found Kiseru pipes before? I'd really love to see. I haven't gone metal detecting for a month or so now because the garden tool I'm digging with has gone dull, it's really not made for this kind of hobby. My fault, really.
Also, thank you for your link to the tool on Amazon, I'm going to add it to my list. I'm going to buy a pinpointer and a new digging tool so I can really get back into this hobby.

The

I would absolutely love to see pictures of your finds.
I haven't had the pleasure of helping any kids find a coin, but I can imagine it must feel nice to see their faces light up as you go on a little adventure to hunt down the missing coin(s) haha.
Have you found Kiseru pipes before? I'd really love to see. I haven't gone metal detecting for a month or so now because the garden tool I'm digging with has gone dull, it's really not made for this kind of hobby. My fault, really.
Also, thank you for your link to the tool on Amazon, I'm going to add it to my list. I'm going to buy a pinpointer and a new digging tool so I can really get back into this hobby.

sent PM

 

[Rock Jock]

Here is the type of tool I carry in my backpack to attack rocky soil. You can pry rocks in soil with the blade so long as they aren't larger than cobble size. Boulder size may call for a crowbar or worse, a digging bar, which is bulky and heavy. The tines will loosen the soil around the rocks to allow access to the edges and bottoms of the cobbles. Pebbly soil is generally easy if not naturally cemented up. Don't try to pry much with the tines because they will bend and stress fatigue off eventually. You can also sharpen the hoe blade viciously to cut roots, which, in Nippon, will get you a $1,000 fine apparently. Deliver me from caliche. That soil constituent is bad news.

Estwing (https://www.estwing.com/)manufactures some quality digging tools, including smaller sampling crowbars for geology/rock collector aficionados.

 

[davemill]

The idea of attaching a strong magnet to the tool has never occurred to me, but it sounds like such a good idea to make life that little bit easier when finding a target.

Here's a recent thread. Try disk drive magnets.

Magnet in the scoop?

I see in some photos guys have magnets fixed to the inside of their scoops. What is this for and what are the benefits of doing this?

metaldetectingforum.com