Surf Spots

Onjuku

Kanagawa Chiba, Japan

Onjuku is a sand beach break with left and right peaks across a gently sloping bottom, making it suitable for surfers of all levels but particularly beginner-friendly. South and south-southeast swells drive the break, with northwest winds providing the cleanest conditions. The spot receives mixed wind and groundswell with typical swell ranging from two to three feet, though it can reach head-high in autumn. Rocks present a hazard, and crowding occurs during peak periods. Water here is notably warm year-round due to southern ocean currents. Onjuku has established itself within Japan's competitive and lifesaving communities rather than as a classic surf destination with a long heritage. It hosts Japan's annual national lifesaving carnival and notably hosted the 2013 International Surf Rescue Challenge, reflecting its role as a training ground and venue for organized water sports rather than a spot with deep historical roots in surfing culture. Onjuku sits on Chiba's eastern Pacific coast, approximately one hour from Tokyo by train. The town occupies the Boso Peninsula with a characteristically wide, flat sand beach. Facilities include showers, restrooms, lifeguard service, camping areas, a surf school, and a shop, making it easily accessible for visiting surfers.

Osaki

Kanagawa Chiba, Japan

Osaki is a hollow, powerful right-hand reef break on a cape in Sagami Bay that responds best to southeasterly through southwesterly swell combined with offshore winds from the north-northeast. The wave develops its fullest expression in summer, particularly July, breaking into solid walls and barrels as swell climbs the sharp reef; at low tide, a particularly shallow mid-wave section creates an aggressive tube that claims many wipeouts. The break works across all tidal stages and paddle distances average ten to fifteen minutes from shore. Rarely crowded compared to other Shonan breaks, though localism reflects the area's historic significance. The broader Shonan coast, including Zushi where Osaki sits, entered the global surf consciousness when U.S. servicemen from nearby Yokosuka began surfing in the 1960s, catalyzing Japanese surf culture in the region. Shonan became the foundational region for modern Japanese surfing from that era onward. Access requires traveling to Kotsubo, Zushi on the Keihin Kyuko Bus line from Zushi Station (get off at Hiroyama Iriguchi), followed by a walk to the break. Parking is available at nearby Hiroyama Park rather than directly at the break itself.

Oshima

West Coast, Japan

Oshima is a sheltered left-hand point break over a boulder bottom, accessible only during the rare occasions when significant swell pushes through—usually a handful of times yearly. Summer brings the best conditions, particularly in August, when south-southeast swells pair with east offshore winds to produce rideable waves. The break sits on a small wooded island connected to mainland Fukui via a distinctive vermilion bridge near the dramatic seaside cliffs of Tojinbo in the Mikuni area of Sakai City.

Ozaki

Shikoku, Japan

Ozaki is an exposed beach break on Shikoku's southeastern coast that picks up consistent Pacific swells, particularly during the summer months. The break works best with south-southeast swell and west-northwest offshore winds, with July typically offering the best balance of rideable waves. Tide has no effect on wave quality. Rocks present a hazard at this break, and the spot can draw crowds when conditions align. The break sits in a region that sees its heaviest and most consistent swells during late summer and autumn when typhoons bring significant Pacific swell to Shikoku's southern coastline. Ozaki is accessible from Kochi Airport, roughly 50 kilometers away, and lies within the broader Muroto area of eastern Kochi Prefecture.

Princemae

Kouzushima, Japan

Roa

Shonan, Japan

Rock

Kyushu, Tanegashima-Island, Japan

Rock is a reef break on Tanegashima Island in Kyushu, Japan. The break features a reef and rocky bottom with waves peeling right, suitable for advanced surfers only.

Sagara

Shizunami, Japan

Sakashita

Omaezaki, Japan

Sakawa

Shonan, Japan

Sarimano

Irako, Japan

Sarimira

Irako, Japan

Sendai shinko

Tohoku, Japan

Sendai Shinko is a sandy beach break near Sendai offering waves from both directions, with the best swell approaching from the SE and most favorable winds from the NW. The spot hosts notable competitions including the Yamaha Sendai Shinko Cup and Patagonia Sendai Shinko Masters. Watch for strong currents in larger swells and crowded conditions.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Sentan

Kyushu, Japan

Sentan is an advanced break in Kyushu, Japan with a rock bottom and powerful, hollow waves. The spot works best with east to southeast swell and westerly winds.

Shibagaki

West Coast, Japan

Shibagaki is a sand-bottom surf spot on the West Coast near Hakui. The break responds best to westerly and northwesterly swell with easterly to southeasterly winds. Rocky reef formations near Nagatejima island, the absence of lifeguard coverage, and narrow residential access roads to the beach are notable considerations.

Shibagaki Gallerymae

Ishikawa, Japan

Shibagaki Pensionmae

Ishikawa, Japan

Shichirigahama

Kanagawa Chiba, Japan

Shichirigahama is an advanced reef break near Kamakura with sand and rock reef bottom. Best conditions arrive on S/SW swells and northerly winds, though the break is known for shallow reef and rocks, sea urchins, crowds, and strong localism.

Shiina

Shikoku, Japan

Shiina is a reef break near Cape Muroto on Kochi Prefecture's coast in Shikoku, Japan. The break works at all tide levels and responds to eastern swell, producing both left and right-hand waves. Westerly to northwesterly winds are most favorable, though the rocky bottom and difficult rocky entry and exit require caution.

Shikuretto

Izu, Japan

Shinnihon

Irako, Japan

Shinsuizokukanmae

Shonan, Japan

Shiomidai

Shonan, Japan

Shirahama

Kanagawa Chiba, Japan

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Shishikui

Shikoku, Japan

Shishikui is a beginner-friendly beach break near Kaiyo Town in Shikoku, Japan. The spot works on both swell directions, with the best waves arriving on SE swells and NW winds, particularly at low tide.

Shizunami beniomae

Shizunami, Japan

Shonanko

Shonan, Japan

Shoyouchu mae

Shonan, Japan

Skatepark mae

Shonan, Japan

Suimon

Kyushu, Japan

Suimon is a river mouth break located near Miyazaki City in Kyushu, Japan. Access comes with specific challenges: dangerous roadside parking on a curved section of the approach road and heavy truck traffic from the adjacent port office.

Sumiyoshi

Kyushu, Tanegashima-Island, Japan

Sumiyoshi is an expert-only reef break on Tanegashima Island, Kyushu, with right-hand waves over shallow reef and rock. Known for heavy tubing that demands expert skills, it attracts a dedicated local crowd. The spot is located in a residential area with no street parking, and receives best swell from the SSW.

Susuki

Shizuoka, Japan

Susuki is a beginner-friendly sand beach break in Makinohara, Shizuoka. Waves approach from both directions with best swell from the south, and northwest wind provides optimal conditions. Watch for rip currents near the tetrapods.

Takegashima

Shikoku, Japan

Takegashima is a reef break near Kaiyō (Shishikui), Tokushima in Shikoku, Japan, with right-hand waves that work best with east swell and southwest wind at high tide. The break features shallow rocks and can attract crowds.

Takezaki

Kyushu, Tanegashima-Island, Japan

Takezaki is a beach break on Tanegashima Island in Kyushu, Japan, near the town of Minamitane. The sandy bottom spot receives swells from both directions, with southerly swells being most favorable. Surfers should be aware of rip currents, exposed rocks approximately 100 meters offshore, and a steep/shallow inside break, and the spot hosts the JPSA Tanegashima Tournament.

Taki Beach

Ishikawa, Japan

Tamaishi

Shonan, Japan

Tanoura

Kochi, Japan

Tatatohama

Izu, Japan

Teba

Kochi, Japan

Tengan Pier

Okinawa, Japan

Tengan Pier is a right-breaking reef break over rock and reef bottom in Uruma, Okinawa. This intermediate-level spot works best with northeast swell and westerly winds at mid to high tide. Watch for rocks, coral, and crowding.

Tetoragawa

Isonoura, Japan

Toi

Kagoshima, Japan

Toji

Izu, Japan

Tokumitsu

West Coast, Japan

Tokumitsu is a beginner point break on Japan's West Coast near Hakusan, with a right-hand wave direction on a sandy bottom. Best swell comes from the northwest with southeast winds optimal, though watch for rip currents, undertow, and tetrapod and jetty structures. The break draws crowds on weekends.

Toudaishita

Kyushu, Tanegashima-Island, Japan

Toudaishita is a sandy beach break on Tanegashima Island in Kyushu, located near Minami-tane (South Tanegashima Town). The break receives swell from the SE and S with best winds from the N and NW. Strong currents and hollow, closeout waves pose hazards, and beach access is occasionally closed during rocket launches.

Tsujido hashishita

Shonan, Japan

Tsujido shomen

Shonan, Japan

Tsunoshima

West Coast, Japan

Tsunoshima is a beach break on Japan's West Coast near Shimonoseki that receives swell from the north. The break works on both wave directions and features a combination bottom with notable hazards including submerged volcanic rocks, rips, undertow, and low-tide rock hazards on longer rides. Best conditions align with northerly swell and southeast winds.