Learn to Dive in Japan
Japan’s Highlights
When you think about Japan, diving may not come to mind immediately but it offers a variety of dives for all levels of diver. Cave, drift and ice diving are extremely popular. Wreck divers will enjoy uncovering the wrecks from WWII.
Dive sites are spread throughout the whole country and cannot be done all in one trip. Ice diving is popular in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula. Some marine life can only be found here and not in other parts of Japan. Also, Okinawa is famous for its coral with over 400 species to spot. Large pelagic species like tuna, hammerheads and whale sharks are known to congregate there.
Japan’s waters are home to 15% of the 230,000 marine species found on the whole planet. This is said to be due to the convergence of currents, different topographies, water temperatures and depths. On the Northeastern coast of Japan, hot and cold water currents converge and bring nutrient rich water into Japan. The Kuroshio Current brings warm water while the Oyashio Current brings cold-water species.
When is the best time to go diving in Japan?
You can dive in Japan at any time of year. Okinawa has suitable conditions at any time of year although from July to October are known for tropical storms and typhoons. Hokkaido is famous for ice diving but requires drysuits. Honshu Island is best during summer when you can dive in a wetsuit but others do enjoy diving there in winter with a drysuit. March to May and September to November tend to have the driest and warmest weather.
Water Temperature: Depends on the location.
Currents: None to strong
Visibility: Depends on the dive site and conditions. It can go up to 50 meters.
Japan’s best dive sites
Shishihama, Osezaki
The dive site closest to Mount Fuji is famous for its macro diving. Due to its volcanic terrain, it makes the perfect environment for marine life. Nudis, frogfish and crabs can all be found here.
Manta Scramble, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa
Ishigaki Island is one of the best places in the world to dive with manta rays. The best time to visit is from April to November where manta rays visit in numbers to the cleaning stations. Watch the manta rays hover as the cleaner fish swim around picking off the dead skin.
Tuna Hole, Mukojima
Tuna Hole makes for an interesting dive. You drop down and wedge yourself into a rock fissure as resident sharks swim overhead. Schools of Tuna are known to swim above you giving the dive site its name.
About the country
Japan is made up of over 6,000 islands. It has a rich history and customs. It’s a mountainous country ideal for hikers. With beautiful limestone caves, forests, gorges, waterfalls and more to explore.
Japan is one of the world’s technological centers. There’s over 5 million vending machines in the country selling everything from ramen to ice coffee. Food is a central part of life for most Japanese. While sushi has become a high-end item in most countries around the world, it is so popular that it’s considered a street food in Japan.
Recreational Courses in Japan
Dive Centers in Japan
Getting to Japan
Japan has several international airports. Travel within Japan can be done via domestic flight, trains or buses. Depending on where you want to dive, select the airport closest to the dive area. Public transport in Japan is extensive with metros and buses connecting major cities.
Other important information
- Capital: Tokyo
- Official Language: Japanese
- Demonym: Japanese
- Currency: Japanese Yen
- Calling code: +81
- Driving Side: left
- Population: Over 125,000,000
- Pressure: Pounds/square inch (psi)
- First Stage: INT/ Yoke
