, Hisayuki Tsuchiya

Summary

+ Great rivermouth breaks	- Inconsistent
+ Warm summer conditions	- Frequently small and mushy
+ Unique cultural destination	- Crowds and pollution
+ Typhoon swells	- Very expensive

The east coast of JapanÕs main island Honshu is exposed to late summer typhoon swells, or short lived NE groundswells. Although the long tradition of fishing has had a negative influence on surfing, with harbours and tetrapods built in many of the areas that catch the best swells, surfing is now a well-established sport. The most popular surf zone for Tokyo-based surfers is the Chiba Peninsula, a mere 30 minute drive from the city.

When to Go

The best swells originate from either typhoons to the S or lows to the NE. With an average of 15-30 swells per season (June-Nov), typhoons can send 2-20ft SE swells, which usually last two or three days, between the many flat spells of summer. Wintertime NE groundswells get good for hardy, experienced surfers. Winds blow from a NW direction in winter (cold and dry) whilst SE winds in high summer bring rain. In late summer the northerly kicks back in and typhoons continue to pump in swells. Tidal range doesnÕt exceed 2m but affects some spots.

Surf Spots

Near the Inubosaki Lighthouse at Choshi are a couple of wind and swell-exposed rock strewn bays with unremarkable waves. Below the south-facing cliffs are some more powerful, sand covered reefs that catch any S swells. From Iioka to Katakai, coastal defences and a lack of power makes it home to many surf schools. At Ichinomiya, T-shaped breakwaters create a diverse set of powerful beachbreaks that suck in E swell and hold some size. The same applies just south at Torami and 2020 Olympic venue Shidashita, which are at the heart of Japanese surf culture thanks to consistent waves at all sizes and reliable sandbars. Taito is a longboard-friendly right, peeling off the harbour breakwall. This whole stretch gets ultra-crowded, so expect drop-ins and poor water quality. From Izumi to OÕHara Beach Park there are less-crowded options in the gaps between the tetrapods. Crowded because theyÕre consistent, Onjuku and Hebara hold some punchy, barrelling, reef/beach combos. Malibu is a Chiba typhoon classic; a right reefbreak that can hold triple overhead in a south-facing bay. A submarine canyon funnels the swell into Kamogawa, which has plenty of peaks; one of the prime spots being a sand-covered reef in the north corner called Maruki that can handle the largest typhoon swells. A variety of peaks stabilised by offshore tetrapods stertch southwards. Crowded Wada holds a clutch of consistent reefs that work well on various swell directions. More peaks at Chitose and Chikura Ð generally a longboard spot with mellow slides in waist to headhigh conditions. A rare bird, Mera is a serious left barrel with a small swell-window. Out on the end of the peninsula, 5km long Heisaura is a low tide beachbreak working in a S swell and N wind. To escape the crowds, take the ferry over to the quiet, mellow Izu islands and surf some powerful barreling waves on Nii-jima at Habushiura and Secrets.

Statistics

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

dominant swell

NE -NE

NE -

NE -

NE -S

NE -S

NE -NE

swell size (ft)

3-4

2-3

2

3-4

4

4

consistency (%)

40

50

50

70

80

60

dominant wind

W -N

W -NE

NE -SW

E -SW

N -E

NW -NE

average force

F4-F5

F4-F5

F4

F3-F4

F4

F4

consistency (%)

73

66

71

67

54

63

water temp (C)

13

15

18

21

19

17

wetsuit

4/3

3/2

3/2

springsuit

3/2

3/2

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