“The land of the rising sun” is made up of 4 major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) and a hundred smaller islands, divided between the influence of the warm Kuroshio and the cold currents of Oyashio. Although the main land of Honshu receives conditions for surfing only occasionally with NW windswells originating from the Sea of Japan, the prevalence of the more consistent spots are those exposed to late summer typhoon swells, or short-lived groundswells. The long tradition of fishing has had negative influences on surfing, with harbors and piers built in many areas which usually collect the best waves. Surf is now a well-established sport that has been growing in popularity since World War II. Kanagawa, Ibaraki and Shizuoka are all areas with good spots but the most popular surf zone for Tokyo-based surfers is the Chiba Peninsula, about a 30-minute drive from the city. Try a surfing experience in Japan now!
The prevalence of the spots are great beachbreaks. Towards the north end of the peninsula is Choshi , a large fishing town full of south-facing beachbreaks working with typhoon swells. This is one of those crowd-free spots, especially towards Shida. There are few access points in this powerful beachbreak which with W winds and high tide offers clean and funny waves. Hebara is a beachbreak that, thanks to its constancy of waves, has been chosen as the site for the competitions of the WCT circuit. North of Katsuura there are some reefbreaks that produce quite fast waves; while the area towards Onjuku is a good place to look for empty line ups. Near Katsuura there is a right pointbreak called Malibu , which is best at high tide. Matsube is a dangerous reefbreak known for its tubes. Kamogawa is full of spikes: one of the first spots is a longboard wave called Big Ben . An underwater canyon just outside Kamogawa channels the swells into this spot. Wada is a break located close to the rivermouth that can be excellent and this is one of the few places that breaks well with swells from the north and the northeast. Tokyo Bay is very protected and only works with waves from powerful typhonic swells. To avoid the crowds, take the ferry to Oshima or Niijima, which are empty islands where you can surf beachbreaks and reefbreaks.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Double |
|---|---|
| From 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 | € 770 |
Notes
The best swells in Japan are generated by both typhoons and the low pressure that forms in the northeast. The typhoon belt produces about 20 swells per season (from June to November). Typhoon swells are unpredictable and they can last for hours or many days, depending on the route they follow along the Pacific. They can send waves from 2-4 in SE direction, which last two or three days. There are many flat days and if you are unlucky, you will end up surfing waves no higher than 1-2ft. During the winter, NE swells are more frequent but they are rarely above 3-4ft and the water could be very cold. Winds blow from the north in the winter and bring cold and dry conditions, while in the summer they rotate from the SE bringing rain. The tide does not exceed 6.5ft but affects some spots.
How to get there : A visa for South Africa is required. There are direct flights to Tokyo from all over the world but sometimes they are not cheap. National lines are JAL. Nerita Airport is conventionally located west of Tokyo and it isn’t far from Choshi. With just 30 minutes by train from Tokyo you can reach the coast.
Getting around : The best way to get to the beach is by train. They are fast, frequent but expensive. Renting a car costs $ 250 per day, gasoline about $ 1.20 / l. Traffic, especially on the main streets, is intense and if you don’t speak or read Japanese, forget to drive alone as you will get lostimmediately. You will have to pay to park near the beach and in the most popular spots.
Accommodation and food : Japan, and Tokyo in particular, is the most expensive destination in the world. Munshkus, around Katssuura are the cheapest places to stay (the price is around $ 70 / double). Local cuisine is tasty and healthy, if you want to eat sushi and rice, a meal costs around $ 15.
Climate : Japan is a state where temperatures reach extreme levels, as you will find dry and hot summers, but rather cold winters due to the currents coming from Siberia. Although winter (from November to March) is the dry season, it is not recommended to visit this area during this period as the rather low temperatures and the strong wind will almost certainly make you stay out of the water. Spring (from April to May) is the best period thanks to the higher temperatures and clear skies. Summer is the typhoon season, characterized by high temperatures and a lot of humidity, and by the arrival of storms. In autumn, temperatures drop very quickly. To surf in Japan, you will need a 4/3 mm for the winter and a 3/2 mm for the rest of the year.
Nature and Culture : Tokyo is a noisy and vibrant city. Visit the central Ginza area for shopping, Shinkuju for nightlife, and Akihabara for electronic equipment. It is worth visiting the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Fuji and, if the sea has been flat for a few days, also the Wild Blu Wave Pool in Yokohama. Its 2ft waves will perhaps satisfy your desire to surf a little.
Dangers and Annoyances: Local surfers are polite with foreigners. Avoid surfing on Saturdays as the beaches are crowded with surfers. Pollution can be high.
Tips : There are many surf shops, but the boards cost too much. Crime is low, mutual respect is something that is part of daily life, including waves – there is no localism. Longboarding is becoming popular.
Exchange rate 1 EUR = 1.08 USD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
Duration: 8 days / 6 nights
from € 242 - Excluding flights
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Premio Turismo responsabile Italiano 2011
