Surrounded by ocean, Japan is residence to numerous distinctive dive websites — together with some which are only a fast journey from Tokyo. On this information, we introduce the dive areas of Miura and Shonan, simply accessible from the town and full of underwater highlights.
Simply an hour from central Tokyo, the Miura and Shonan coasts provide simple day-trip diving with each seashore and boat choices. The world is widespread amongst divers of all ranges — from novices finishing certification programs to seasoned photographers and skilled fanatics who return repeatedly. With dive websites scattered from the Miura Peninsula to the Manazuru Peninsula, this area is a year-round favourite for these trying to take advantage of their time within the water.
Hayama
Positioned simply an hour’s drive from central Tokyo, Hayama is among the Kanto area’s most elegant seaside resorts, residence to the Imperial household’s summer season retreat. Shibasaki Seaside has lengthy been a favourite diving spot, particularly widespread for seashore dives. With a most depth of round 15 meters (50 ft), the world is good for relaxed underwater exploration.
As soon as recognized for its lush seaweed forests and abundance of invertebrates, the underwater panorama has modified in recent times attributable to environmental shifts. Nevertheless, Hayama nonetheless affords distinctive alternatives for macro photographers. Divers can spot blennies, gobies, nudibranchs and different small marine life nestled among the many rocky terrain. Because of its location within the inside a part of Sagami Bay, influenced by the Kuroshio Present, the location sees all kinds of seasonal guests — from nudibranchs in winter and spring to juvenile tropical fish and education species in summer season and fall.
After your dive, get pleasure from a stroll by means of Hayama’s charming cafes and eating places, go to native points of interest like Shiosai Park and Morito Shrine, or take a brief journey to Kamakura or Enoshima for extra sightseeing.
Widespread Dive Website: Gontaro-iwa
This seashore dive website has a mean depth of seven to eight meters (23 to 26 ft) and options various underwater terrain with channels, tunnels and overhangs — making it pleasing for divers of all ranges. In winter, the world turns into a hotspot for nudibranch lovers, with over 20 species usually noticed in a single dive. It’s additionally very best for macro images, providing close-up encounters with a variety of small marine life, together with varied sorts of blennies.
From summer season by means of autumn, faculties of fish collect across the rocky reefs, and pelagic species can generally be noticed farther offshore. Regardless of being a seashore entry website, Gontaro-iwa boasts complicated underwater topography and dense fish life that rival boat diving areas, making it a favourite amongst skilled divers and photographers alike.
Picture courtesy of Diving Store Nana
How To Get There
- By Automobile: About 1 hour and half-hour from central Tokyo by way of the Yokohama-Yokosuka Street and Zushi IC.
- By Practice: Take the JR Yokosuka Line to Zushi Station or the Keikyu Line to Zushi-Hayama Station, then switch to an area bus.
Zushi–Kotsubo
Positioned on the gateway to the western facet of the Miura Peninsula, between Kamakura and Hayama, Zushi–Kotsubo is among the closest dive areas to central Tokyo. It takes solely about half-hour from Yokohama by practice, and the world has thrived as a Shonan resort vacation spot because the Seventies. Zushi Marina and different marine leisure services are properly established, making the world particularly widespread for boat diving.
Amongst its most well-known websites are “Ootaka-ne,” a dynamic level the place a big reef rises sharply from a 30-meter-deep (100-foot-deep) sandy backside, and “Tsubu-ne,” recognized for its colourful tender corals and faculties of fish that may be seen year-round. The waters are additionally residence to all kinds of nudibranchs — a lot in order that many species had been documented within the Sagami Bay Opisthobranch Atlas compiled by Emperor Showa.
Widespread Dive Website: Ootaka-ne
Positioned about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) offshore, Ootaka-ne is a dynamic boat diving website characterised by a towering rocky pinnacle that rises 20 meters (66 ft) from a sandy seabed at 30 meters (98 ft). It’s the largest underwater construction in Zushi and affords a variety of marine life. The northern drop-off is very putting, with tender corals blanketing the partitions in vibrant colours. Divers can encounter the whole lot from massive fish, corresponding to grouper and purple sea bream, to varsities of smaller fish and even uncommon macro creatures. Whether or not you like wide-angle or macro images, the beautiful underwater surroundings and biodiversity make this an impressive dive website.
How To Get There
- By automotive: About 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Yokohama-Yokosuka Street, exit at Zushi IC.
- By practice: From JR Zushi Station or Keikyu Zushi-Hayama Station, take an area bus to the dive website space.
Jogashima Island
Jogashima is a small island situated on the southernmost tip of the Miura Peninsula, simply accessible by way of a bridge from the mainland. Nearly 90 minutes by automotive from Tokyo — and reachable by practice as properly — it’s a well-liked vacation spot for each vacationers and divers. With Tokyo Bay to the east, Sagami Bay to the west and a heat Kuroshio present department flowing in from the south, the encircling waters host all kinds of marine life. The world is especially well-known for its abundance of nudibranchs, with over 30 species usually noticed in a single dive. Faculties of pelagic fish, like yellowtail and horse mackerel, are additionally generally seen, making this a really perfect spot for fish watchers.
Jogashima’s rugged shoreline plunges instantly into the ocean, creating dramatic underwater landscapes. Divers can discover a 100-meter-long (328-foot-long) crevasse with vertical drops of over ten meters, in addition to rocky layers resembling a mille-feuille, fashioned by repeated geological uplift. Often known as a base for offshore tuna fishing, the island can be an ideal spot for souvenirs and sightseeing.
Widespread Dive Website: Iwabone
Positioned on the western facet of Jogashima Island dealing with Sagami Bay, Iwagane is a dynamic dive website influenced by the nice and cozy Kuroshio Present — bringing with it uncommon marine species not sometimes seen in Tokyo Bay. Its dramatic underwater topography, with rugged rock formations rising from depths of 30 meters (98 ft) to close the floor, makes it a favourite amongst divers who love daring geological options.
One spotlight is the “Mille-Feuille Fault,” a 10-meter (33-foot) tall ridge that begins round 26–27 meters (85–89 ft) deep. Its layered rock formations resemble stacked pastry sheets and are residence to a various vary of marine life. This website is good for recognizing massive pelagic species, like eagle rays, huge flounders over 1 meter (3 ft) lengthy and education fish. You may also discover banded dogfish and Japanese bullhead sharks resting in crevices such because the “shark gap,” whereas close by “mejina nests” teem with fish swirling in synchronized faculties.
How To Get There
- By Automobile: About 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Yokohama-Yokosuka Street, exiting at Kinugasa IC, then persevering with on the Miura Jukan Street.
- By Practice: Take the Keikyu Line to Misakiguchi Station, then switch to an area bus or use a dive store’s shuttle service.
Moroiso Coast
Positioned on the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, Moroiso Coast is an simply accessible spot from central Tokyo, widespread for fishing, tide pooling and ocean actions. Only a quick distance from the well-known tuna port of Misaki, the world affords thrilling dives.
What makes Moroiso interesting to divers is its well-equipped services — together with showers, altering rooms, lodging choices and even a 3.5-meter-deep (11.5-feet-deep) dive coaching pool. Because of its sheltered bay location, circumstances stay calm all through a lot of the yr, making it very best for divers of all ranges, from novices to seasoned professionals. Along with scuba diving, guests can get pleasure from snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), sea kayaking and exploring the tidal flats.
Widespread Dive Website: Seaside Level
Only a three-minute stroll from the dive facility, this calm seashore website has a most depth of round six meters (20 ft), making it very best for newbie programs and refresher dives. Divers can observe faculties of opaleye and damselfish, together with nudibranchs. Relying on the season, divres may encounter Japanese bullhead sharks and banded dogfish. It’s the proper spot for many who wish to get pleasure from a relaxed, easygoing dive.
Picture courtesy of MIURA UMINO GAKKO
How To Get There
- By Automobile: Roughly 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Miura Jukan Street and Koembo IC.
- By Practice: Take the Keikyu Line to Misakiguchi Station, then proceed by bus or taxi.
Iwa
Positioned on the base of the Manazuru Peninsula, Iwa is a well-accessible dive space about 90 minutes by automotive from central Tokyo. It’s a well-liked spot for scuba diving programs and newbie dives, making it very best for these simply getting began. The location affords two beginner-friendly seashore entry factors in addition to 4 boat dive websites, together with the dynamic “Triangle.” In the summertime, massive faculties of fish draw divers in, whereas within the winter, quite a lot of nudibranchs turn out to be the primary attraction.
The boat websites are recognized for dramatic underwater topography and dense marine life, making them nice for pairing with seashore dives in a single day. Services embody altering rooms, showers, an out of doors bathtub and kit rinse stations. One more reason for its recognition is the abundance of close by eateries. Every spring, the “Iwa Divers’ Thanksgiving Day” occasion brings collectively a big group of divers for a festive celebration.
Widespread Dive Website: Bakené
Only a five-minute boat trip from the harbor, Bakené is a putting underwater pinnacle that rises from the seafloor at a depth of round 22 meters (72 ft). The location is fantastically adorned with tender corals and teeming with vibrant faculties of anthias and damselfish, making it some of the widespread spots within the space alongside the “Triangle.”
Divers can get pleasure from a dramatic drop-off panorama, with frequent sightings of pelagic species and tropical fish, providing wonderful alternatives for fish watching and underwater images. Due to occasional robust currents, good buoyancy management is crucial for a protected and pleasing dive.
Picture courtesy of Diving Store Umiya
How To Get There
- By automotive: Roughly 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Tomei Expressway (exit at Atsugi IC) and Odawara-Atsugi Street.
- By practice: From JR Tokaido Line Manazuru Station, it’s both a brief stroll or a pick-up service is obtainable.
Miyagawa Bay
Positioned on the southern tip of the Miura Peninsula, Miyagawa Bay is a handy weekend diving vacation spot simply 90 minutes by automotive or practice from central Tokyo. Near Jogashima Island and Misaki Port, the world is often known as a hidden gem for fishing. Positioned on the confluence of Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay, and influenced by a department of the Kuroshio Present, this website is wealthy in marine biodiversity. Its dramatic underwater terrain is residence to frogfish, seahorses, combtooth blennies and gobies all year long. Seasonal highlights embody child lumpsuckers in spring, bigfin reef squid in early summer season, dense faculties of cardinalfish in summer season, tropical strays in autumn and sea slugs in winter. The location affords one beginner-friendly seashore entry and 4 boat diving spots — all with comparatively shallow depths (max 18m/59 ft), making them very best for novice divers.
Widespread Dive Website: Tobine
Only a five-minute boat trip from the port, Tobine is a well-liked website with a most depth of 18m (59 ft), making it beginner-friendly. Divers can discover a maze of rocky ridges and tender coral-covered buildings, with nice visibility on clear days, providing beautiful wide-angle views. The location is residence to numerous blennies, a formidable number of nudibranchs and, throughout summer season, dense faculties of cardinalfish in addition to seasonal company, like juvenile yellow boxfish and ornate ghost pipefish.
How To Get There
- By automotive: About 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Yokohama-Yokosuka Street (Kinugasa IC).
- By practice: From Keikyu Misakiguchi Station, take a taxi or use a pick-up service.
Hayakawa
Located in southwestern Kanagawa Prefecture, Hayakawa is a extremely accessible dive website — nearly an hour by automotive or a fast 40-minute trip by way of the Shinkansen from Tokyo. Positioned deep inside Sagami Bay, the world is mostly protected against robust currents, making it very best for novices. Its calm, sandy seabed is ideal for coaching dives and affords wonderful macro encounters, together with nudibranchs, seahorses, frogfish and Dhiho’s seahorse. In summer season, faculties of larger amberjack may seem. One in every of Hayakawa’s most original points of interest is its nightly dive classes, the place you may spot uncommon creatures, corresponding to scale worms that resemble one thing out of a sci-fi film.
Widespread Dive Website: Hayakawa Seaside
Simply previous the bay-like entry lies a gently sloping sandy backside — a really perfect setting for novices. Round 9 meters (30 ft) deep, a big reef attracts marine life, like flounders, tonguefish and spanner crab. From winter by means of spring, fortunate divers might encounter the Japanese lumpsucker. Offshore sightings embody eagle rays, spherical rays and seasonal education fish. Night time dives can be found each day, providing close-up views of nocturnal species, corresponding to Japanese bullhead sharks and bioluminescent critters.
How To Get There
- By automotive: Round 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Odawara-Atsugi Street (Odawara-Nishi IC).
- By practice: A few 10-minute stroll from Hayakawa Station on the JR Tokaido Line.
Ishibashi
Nearly an hour by automotive from central Tokyo — and in addition simply reached by practice — Ishibashi is a handy diving vacation spot the place you may full three to 4 dives in a single day. Throughout autumn, the world turns into full of life with seasonal pelagic and tropical species, whereas winter by means of spring brings sightings of lovable lumpsuckers and all kinds of nudibranchs. Frogfish could be noticed year-round, and in summer season, look out for spawning bigfin reef squid. A novel function right here is the submerged stonework believed to have been quarried in the course of the early Edo interval to be used within the development of Edo Fortress — a deal with for divers enthusiastic about underwater archaeology.
Widespread Dive Website: Ishibashi Seaside
A slope lined in boulders extends round 100 meters (330 ft) offshore earlier than giving method to an unlimited sandy plain. The entry level is properly maintained with information ropes, making it simple and protected for novices. Self-guided buddy dives are additionally permitted right here underneath sure circumstances. The location is wealthy in marine life, together with Dhiho’s seahorses, frogfish, pincone fish, shrimp and varied nudibranchs. In winter, maintain an eye fixed out for juvenile lumpsuckers, whereas late summer season might deliver faculties of longfin bannerfish. Divers may discover stone blocks on the seabed that date again to the Edo period, providing a uncommon glimpse into underwater historical past.
How To Get There
- By automotive: About 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Seisho Bypass (Ishibashi IC).
- By practice: Roughly 20 minutes on foot from Hayakawa Station on the JR Tokaido Line.
Enoura
Recognized for its persistently calm seas all year long, Enoura is a well-liked website for coaching dives and very best for divers of all ranges. The seashore website, situated simply in entrance of the dive services, affords quick access to quite a lot of underwater terrain — from boulder slopes and rocky outcrops to sandy flats. Wealthy in marine life, the world hosts seahorses, frogfish, clownfish and extra. Enjoyable points of interest, like a submerged Doraemon statue, add a playful twist to your dives. Throughout restricted durations, night time dives and boat dives are additionally obtainable, providing much more selection for returning guests.
Widespread Dive Website: Seaside
With a concrete slope for straightforward entry and information ropes main from the entry level, this seashore website is beginner-friendly but satisfying for seasoned divers. Following the ropes takes you thru various underwater habitats, together with rubble fields, sandy areas, rocky reefs and synthetic buildings like caissons. You’ll be able to spot resident clownfish, threespot dascyllus and varied species of frogfish, in addition to seasonal guests, corresponding to bigfin reef squid. This website is a superb possibility for relaxed fish watching and underwater images.
How To Get There
- By automotive: About 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Seisho Bypass (Ishibashi IC).
- By practice: Take a taxi from JR Tokaido Line’s Nebukawa Station.
Fukuura
Positioned on the border between Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures, Fukuura advantages from calm circumstances all year long because of its sheltered place behind the Manazuru Peninsula. With the dive website proper in entrance of the native dive service, entry is easy and handy. Underwater, you’ll discover a colony of sea anemones designated as a pure monument by the prefecture, together with charming residents, like clownfish and threespot dascyllus. From winter to spring, divers can spot the Japanese lumpfish, whereas bigfin reef squid come to put eggs in early summer season. With its gently sloping terrain, the location is good for novices and dive coaching. Night time diving is obtainable year-round, making this a hidden favourite amongst repeat guests.
Widespread Dive Website: Seaside
Fukuura’s calm waters and gently sloped seashore entry — full with a ramp — make it excellent for dive programs and check out dives. Information ropes are put in underwater, making it appropriate for pure navigation observe and buddy diving. The panorama transitions from rubble to sand and rocky zones, with a delegated pure monument sea anemone colony seen on the left facet after entry. Night time dives are supplied all year long, offering a full spectrum of marine life encounters for all ranges of divers.
How To Get There
- By automotive: About 1 hour and half-hour from Tokyo by way of the Seisho Bypass (Ishibashi IC).
- By practice: Taxi trip from JR Tokaido Line’s Manazuru Station.
With so many various dive websites only a quick journey from Tokyo, the Miura and Shonan coasts provide one thing for each diver — from novices taking their first plunge to seasoned explorers chasing uncommon marine encounters. Whether or not you’re drawn to colourful reefs, dramatic pinnacles or macro treasures, this area delivers unforgettable underwater experiences alongside the allure of Japan’s coastal cities.
In case you’re impressed to dive into these waters, attain out to an area dive store in Japan to plan your journey and uncover the hidden gems ready just under the floor.
