Dive sites accessible from Tokyo
Introduction to scuba diving in Japan
Most people do not associate diving with Japan, which is a shame, because it has some world class diving locations! While Okinawa is the most tropical, the Izu peninsula, south of Tokyo, has to offer the best diving around Tokyo with lots of coral reefs, shipwrecks and even islands with dolphins! There is no excuse not to dive more frequently! All Izu peninsula divesites are reachable within 2 hours from Tokyo by train or car.
Besides the coast of Izu peninsula, Izu has 7 islands with beautiful island scenery and a slower pace of life compared to the busy metropolis of Tokyo. The islands are accessible via ferry departing from Takeshiba port (JR Hamamatsucho station). Perfect for a weekend getaway from Tokyo!
Ogasawara is the furthest island south of Tokyo, over 26 hours away with no access by airplane. It requires dedication to get there but there is an amazing diversity of marine life! Including whale watching during winter!
Below are some of the dive sites that we visit and this list will keep expanding and will be regularly updated!! Only a few diving sites can accommodate technical divers and deco dives. Also the default tank here is Japanese steel tanks, not sidemount friendly. Read below.
Most people do not associate diving with Japan, which is a shame, because it has some world class diving locations! While Okinawa is the most tropical, the Izu peninsula, south of Tokyo, has to offer the best diving around Tokyo with lots of coral reefs, shipwrecks and even islands with dolphins! There is no excuse not to dive more frequently! All Izu peninsula divesites are reachable within 2 hours from Tokyo by train or car.
Besides the coast of Izu peninsula, Izu has 7 islands with beautiful island scenery and a slower pace of life compared to the busy metropolis of Tokyo. The islands are accessible via ferry departing from Takeshiba port (JR Hamamatsucho station). Perfect for a weekend getaway from Tokyo!
Ogasawara is the furthest island south of Tokyo, over 26 hours away with no access by airplane. It requires dedication to get there but there is an amazing diversity of marine life! Including whale watching during winter!
Below are some of the dive sites that we visit and this list will keep expanding and will be regularly updated!! Only a few diving sites can accommodate technical divers and deco dives. Also the default tank here is Japanese steel tanks, not sidemount friendly. Read below.
West Izu (Nishi Izu) diving sites
Shishihama (獅子浜)
Shishihama, aka lion beach. One of the benefits of this location is the availability of aluminium tanks as well as modular valves, which means it is a prime spot for sidemount diving as well as technical dive training due to availability of various nitrox mixes. It is located on the same coast as our training site Osezaki but a bit more north.
The site is great for macro photography and features a copy of the Italian Bocca della Verità. There are even "hoops" to swim through for training and various buoyancy practice. Provide all types of tanks and diving gases.
Shishihama, aka lion beach. One of the benefits of this location is the availability of aluminium tanks as well as modular valves, which means it is a prime spot for sidemount diving as well as technical dive training due to availability of various nitrox mixes. It is located on the same coast as our training site Osezaki but a bit more north.
The site is great for macro photography and features a copy of the Italian Bocca della Verità. There are even "hoops" to swim through for training and various buoyancy practice. Provide all types of tanks and diving gases.
Osezaki (大瀬崎)
Osezaki is one of the most famous sites on the Izu peninsula. Not only because it has the most picturesque view of Mount Fuji on a clear day but also because of its unique shaped bay, it is protected from bad weather. This makes Osezaki popular when the conditions are not favorable due to a typhoon or other conditions.
There are many different dive sites on the outside of the bay as well, and the inner bay is frequently used for training. It is also possible to do night dives in the inner bay, and it is amazing what you can find at night compared to daytime. Night diving is available all year around. Our divecenter has aluminium tanks here making it ideal for sidemount diving!
Note: Osezaki is a location known to be supportive towards Technical divers. This site support a various range of gasses (nitrox, trimix, oxygen...) for technical diving on special request (advance booking needed). Bringing your own singles, doubles or stages is permitted and re-fills of air are available on site. Doubles can also be rented here. Now we can also accommodate to rebreather/CCR divers with sofnolime. Contact us for more information.
Osezaki is one of the most famous sites on the Izu peninsula. Not only because it has the most picturesque view of Mount Fuji on a clear day but also because of its unique shaped bay, it is protected from bad weather. This makes Osezaki popular when the conditions are not favorable due to a typhoon or other conditions.
There are many different dive sites on the outside of the bay as well, and the inner bay is frequently used for training. It is also possible to do night dives in the inner bay, and it is amazing what you can find at night compared to daytime. Night diving is available all year around. Our divecenter has aluminium tanks here making it ideal for sidemount diving!
Note: Osezaki is a location known to be supportive towards Technical divers. This site support a various range of gasses (nitrox, trimix, oxygen...) for technical diving on special request (advance booking needed). Bringing your own singles, doubles or stages is permitted and re-fills of air are available on site. Doubles can also be rented here. Now we can also accommodate to rebreather/CCR divers with sofnolime. Contact us for more information.
Toi (土肥)
The city of Toi, a former gold mine, offers us both beach and boat diving as well as the presence of a few small shipwrecks. This part of the Izu peninsula has lovely little beaches along the coastline, having Bonsai-like tiny islands covered with pine trees. From this side of Izu, we often enjoy a distant view of Mt.Fuji or the sun set across the water on a clear, sunny day. The whole peninsula is famous for its onsen and excellent seafood which we can enjoy after a day of diving in the water. Toi is also one of the few sites that offers wreck diving.
The city of Toi, a former gold mine, offers us both beach and boat diving as well as the presence of a few small shipwrecks. This part of the Izu peninsula has lovely little beaches along the coastline, having Bonsai-like tiny islands covered with pine trees. From this side of Izu, we often enjoy a distant view of Mt.Fuji or the sun set across the water on a clear, sunny day. The whole peninsula is famous for its onsen and excellent seafood which we can enjoy after a day of diving in the water. Toi is also one of the few sites that offers wreck diving.
Usugu (Koganezaki Beach Park - 黄金崎)
Usugu is one of our favorite beach diving sites on the west coast of Izu. It is pretty shallow, goes up to 18 meters and is perfect for all levels of divers. This part of the peninsula is a National Park, and therefore more or less protected and diving conditions usually are good. This place also offers various options to stay over for the weekend, from log cabins for groups or just camping on close-by grounds. Perfect for a nice picking or BBQ weekend while hiking next to the golden cliffs after a few relaxing dives. The site can provide nitrox and has aluminium tanks which makes it suitable for sidemount divers.
Usugu is one of our favorite beach diving sites on the west coast of Izu. It is pretty shallow, goes up to 18 meters and is perfect for all levels of divers. This part of the peninsula is a National Park, and therefore more or less protected and diving conditions usually are good. This place also offers various options to stay over for the weekend, from log cabins for groups or just camping on close-by grounds. Perfect for a nice picking or BBQ weekend while hiking next to the golden cliffs after a few relaxing dives. The site can provide nitrox and has aluminium tanks which makes it suitable for sidemount divers.
Tago (田子)
Located in the center of the Izu peninsula on the west coast, Tago bay can satisfy all types of divers in this location alone. The outside open Ocean offers dynamic and exciting diving experience. The famous "Futone"diving spot, is a large rock reef ranging in the depth of 8m to 40m. Here you can see large school of different type of fishes all through your dive. During the winter seasons, you can see large group of the endemic deep sea cherry anthias (Sacura margaritacea) with it's beautiful mating color.
Located in the center of the Izu peninsula on the west coast, Tago bay can satisfy all types of divers in this location alone. The outside open Ocean offers dynamic and exciting diving experience. The famous "Futone"diving spot, is a large rock reef ranging in the depth of 8m to 40m. Here you can see large school of different type of fishes all through your dive. During the winter seasons, you can see large group of the endemic deep sea cherry anthias (Sacura margaritacea) with it's beautiful mating color.
Kumomi (雲見)
Kumomi is a picturesque little seaside town known for the rocks connected by a rope between two shrines, a traditional Japanese symbol. You can often see Mount Fuji in the background. The site is known for its swimthroughs and cavern-like formations due to huge boulders. You can also spot large groups of stingrays on a lucky day.
Due to the distance from Tokyo, this is often a weekend trip. The minshuku has a 24h onsen and always offers delicious fresh seafood. Perfect dinner to chat about the dives over a cold drink. Our favorite site on the Izu peninsula.
Kumomi is a picturesque little seaside town known for the rocks connected by a rope between two shrines, a traditional Japanese symbol. You can often see Mount Fuji in the background. The site is known for its swimthroughs and cavern-like formations due to huge boulders. You can also spot large groups of stingrays on a lucky day.
Due to the distance from Tokyo, this is often a weekend trip. The minshuku has a 24h onsen and always offers delicious fresh seafood. Perfect dinner to chat about the dives over a cold drink. Our favorite site on the Izu peninsula.
South Izu (Minami Izu) diving sites
Mikomoto (神子元)
On the most southern part of Izu close to Shimoda, Mikomoto island only 30-60 minute away by boat, is the most famous dive site. It is also known as the hammerhead shark location due to the Kuroshi, the black current. Large schools of hammerhead sharks have known to be admired here around August-September depending on conditions.
Due to the currents and conditions, Mikomoto is for advanced divers only, usually advanced open water certified with a minimum of 50 dives. We only go there once a year. Yonaguni, Okinawa also offers a chance to see Hammerheads (during winter only).
On the most southern part of Izu close to Shimoda, Mikomoto island only 30-60 minute away by boat, is the most famous dive site. It is also known as the hammerhead shark location due to the Kuroshi, the black current. Large schools of hammerhead sharks have known to be admired here around August-September depending on conditions.
Due to the currents and conditions, Mikomoto is for advanced divers only, usually advanced open water certified with a minimum of 50 dives. We only go there once a year. Yonaguni, Okinawa also offers a chance to see Hammerheads (during winter only).
East Izu (Higashi Izu) diving sites
Hayakawa (早川)
Looking for the closest divesite we have to Tokyo? This will be Hayakawa, just two stations before Atami station. It features some easy and convenient beach diving. Hayakawa is one of few divecenters that has aluminium tanks making it accessible for sidemount divers. Good for macro photography and you often see frogfish, batfish, octopus, stingray, nudibranches, etc..... It has easy access from the station, just a 10 minutes walk or 2-minute taxi ride. Also recently, they started offering limited night diving which is rather rare in Izu.
Looking for the closest divesite we have to Tokyo? This will be Hayakawa, just two stations before Atami station. It features some easy and convenient beach diving. Hayakawa is one of few divecenters that has aluminium tanks making it accessible for sidemount divers. Good for macro photography and you often see frogfish, batfish, octopus, stingray, nudibranches, etc..... It has easy access from the station, just a 10 minutes walk or 2-minute taxi ride. Also recently, they started offering limited night diving which is rather rare in Izu.
Atami (熱海)
One of our favorite divesites is Atami due to its easy access via train from Tokyo. Atami is a also known as a hot springs resort town. Not only this, Atami also has a shipwreck which acts as an big artificial reef that attracts plenty of fish and sea life! This makes it one of our favorite divesites and often used for our Wreck adventure dive for Advanced open water!!
The shipwreck as well as other dive-sites, such the pinnacles, are just at 10 minute boat ride from the diveshop. Our diveshop has convenient facilities such as showers and changing rooms right next to the harbor.
One of our favorite divesites is Atami due to its easy access via train from Tokyo. Atami is a also known as a hot springs resort town. Not only this, Atami also has a shipwreck which acts as an big artificial reef that attracts plenty of fish and sea life! This makes it one of our favorite divesites and often used for our Wreck adventure dive for Advanced open water!!
The shipwreck as well as other dive-sites, such the pinnacles, are just at 10 minute boat ride from the diveshop. Our diveshop has convenient facilities such as showers and changing rooms right next to the harbor.
Izu Kaiyo Koen (Izu Ocean Park)
Izu Kaiyo Koen, or Izu Ocean Park (IOP for short) is one of the older established dive sites on the Izu peninsula. IOP does have an amazing variety of marine life as well as family entertainment such as pools and BBQ events. Due to the variety of marine life, it is also a popular spot for photographers hunting for frogfish, nudibranches, angel, rockfish, damsel, lionfish and napoleon fish etc.... Lately, there was even a sighting of a whaleshark!
Izu Kaiyo Koen, or Izu Ocean Park (IOP for short) is one of the older established dive sites on the Izu peninsula. IOP does have an amazing variety of marine life as well as family entertainment such as pools and BBQ events. Due to the variety of marine life, it is also a popular spot for photographers hunting for frogfish, nudibranches, angel, rockfish, damsel, lionfish and napoleon fish etc.... Lately, there was even a sighting of a whaleshark!
Atagawa (熱川)
Atagawa literally means hot river. Just like Atami it is famous for onsen (Japanese hot spring) and some of the hot spring water will literally be flowing into a river which goes into the ocean. The diving site is furthest south along the east coast line but features pinnacles covered in beautiful soft coral. Since it is just two station away from Izu Ocean Park, it is easy to combine both. The divecenter also rents DPVs for those certified to use them. We love diving and staying here for the onsen and the delicious seafood.
Atagawa literally means hot river. Just like Atami it is famous for onsen (Japanese hot spring) and some of the hot spring water will literally be flowing into a river which goes into the ocean. The diving site is furthest south along the east coast line but features pinnacles covered in beautiful soft coral. Since it is just two station away from Izu Ocean Park, it is easy to combine both. The divecenter also rents DPVs for those certified to use them. We love diving and staying here for the onsen and the delicious seafood.
Izu Islands
Oshima (大島)
The Izu islands can be considered even more full of wonderful divesites compared to the Izu mainland. Oshima island is the closest of these Izu islands, only a few hours away from Tokyo by ferry.
Nodahama has an easy beach entry and stays shallow around 15m or less. The divesite features a large arch called “Fish TV” because the arch often looks like it’s filled with fish. Other things to see are rays, crabs, lobster, clownfish, sea anemones. The second site is Akinohama with different sections ranging in depth from 4m to 40m. Excellent spot for night dives as well. Last but not least is Ohnohama featuring angelfish, turtles, tuna, and much more!
The Izu islands can be considered even more full of wonderful divesites compared to the Izu mainland. Oshima island is the closest of these Izu islands, only a few hours away from Tokyo by ferry.
Nodahama has an easy beach entry and stays shallow around 15m or less. The divesite features a large arch called “Fish TV” because the arch often looks like it’s filled with fish. Other things to see are rays, crabs, lobster, clownfish, sea anemones. The second site is Akinohama with different sections ranging in depth from 4m to 40m. Excellent spot for night dives as well. Last but not least is Ohnohama featuring angelfish, turtles, tuna, and much more!
Miyakejima (三宅島)
Miyakejima is also known as our dolphin encounter trip. Miyakejima is farther than the other islands like Oshima, Niijima and Kouzushima, but the water quality is the standard of AA, or 20m visibility. The seawater around the island is rich in subtropical marine life brought in by the warm Kuroshio, or Japan Current.
We stay on Miyakejima but take a boat trip to Mikurajima to go snorkeling and freediving with wild non-captive dolphins, the highlight of this trip. The dolphins are very friendly and as such enjoy coming right up to swimmers and snorkelers and playing around them. For the scuba divers, we will enjoy some diving around Miyakejima island which has stunning lavarock arcs full of fish.
Miyakejima is also known as our dolphin encounter trip. Miyakejima is farther than the other islands like Oshima, Niijima and Kouzushima, but the water quality is the standard of AA, or 20m visibility. The seawater around the island is rich in subtropical marine life brought in by the warm Kuroshio, or Japan Current.
We stay on Miyakejima but take a boat trip to Mikurajima to go snorkeling and freediving with wild non-captive dolphins, the highlight of this trip. The dolphins are very friendly and as such enjoy coming right up to swimmers and snorkelers and playing around them. For the scuba divers, we will enjoy some diving around Miyakejima island which has stunning lavarock arcs full of fish.
Ogasawara (小笠原)
The Bonin Islands, also known as the Ogasawara Islands (小笠原群島) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical island. The Ogasawara Islands have never been connected to a continent, and this has lead to the nickname of the "The Galápagos of the Orient", and their nomination as a natural World Heritage Site. It has amazing blue water and although it is about 25 hours by ferry, it is well worth the journey! You can find some photos of our last trip here below.
The Bonin Islands, also known as the Ogasawara Islands (小笠原群島) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical island. The Ogasawara Islands have never been connected to a continent, and this has lead to the nickname of the "The Galápagos of the Orient", and their nomination as a natural World Heritage Site. It has amazing blue water and although it is about 25 hours by ferry, it is well worth the journey! You can find some photos of our last trip here below.
Chiba diving sites (East of Tokyo)
Tateyama (館山)
Tateyama is located in Chiba and features a site known for huge schools of nurse sharks and rays. Dubbed “Shark Scramble”, the site is reachable by only 5-10 minutes by boat. The reason there are so many of these “puppy” sharks is because the locals feed them. Although we do not condone shark feed sites, it is being done to protect the sharks to keep them out of the nets of the fishermen. The sharks are quite harmless and docile and it is an amazing view to see them together with a variety of rays!
Tateyama is located in Chiba and features a site known for huge schools of nurse sharks and rays. Dubbed “Shark Scramble”, the site is reachable by only 5-10 minutes by boat. The reason there are so many of these “puppy” sharks is because the locals feed them. Although we do not condone shark feed sites, it is being done to protect the sharks to keep them out of the nets of the fishermen. The sharks are quite harmless and docile and it is an amazing view to see them together with a variety of rays!
Best of Okinawa
Ishigaki (石垣)
Famous for its manta cleaning stations, Ishigaki has many other great diving points to offer with rich marine life. Best time to view the manta rays is between June and November. Only 3.5 hours with a direct flight from Tokyo’s Haneda airport, Ishigaki is an easy extended weekend trip away from Tokyo. Usually we organize a yearly trip there in November, which still has agreeable temperatures of 24-25C degrees.
We usually stay at Kabira bay which has the most stunning emerald blue bay with a perfect yellow-white beach.
Famous for its manta cleaning stations, Ishigaki has many other great diving points to offer with rich marine life. Best time to view the manta rays is between June and November. Only 3.5 hours with a direct flight from Tokyo’s Haneda airport, Ishigaki is an easy extended weekend trip away from Tokyo. Usually we organize a yearly trip there in November, which still has agreeable temperatures of 24-25C degrees.
We usually stay at Kabira bay which has the most stunning emerald blue bay with a perfect yellow-white beach.
Yonaguni (与那国)
Yonaguni Island is Japan's most westerly point, located only 110 kilometers off the east coast of Taiwan.
The main attractions of this islands for divers are the schooling hammerheads (September - March) and the mysterious underwater city. This site was discovered in the 1980's by local diver Kihachiro Aratake and is thought to be an ancient monument modified by man in the last ice-age around 10,000 years ago, as old as the pyramids.
The diving style at Yonaguni island is drift diving, which is ideal for our drift diving specialty.
With big fish such as hammerheads and tuna, large rock formations and tunnels, the seas surrounding the island offer a fantastic all-round diving experience.
Yonaguni Island is Japan's most westerly point, located only 110 kilometers off the east coast of Taiwan.
The main attractions of this islands for divers are the schooling hammerheads (September - March) and the mysterious underwater city. This site was discovered in the 1980's by local diver Kihachiro Aratake and is thought to be an ancient monument modified by man in the last ice-age around 10,000 years ago, as old as the pyramids.
The diving style at Yonaguni island is drift diving, which is ideal for our drift diving specialty.
With big fish such as hammerheads and tuna, large rock formations and tunnels, the seas surrounding the island offer a fantastic all-round diving experience.