Surf road trips across Japan with surfers who live here: from the cold, empty points of Hokkaido to the warm reefs of Amami, by motorhome, with the food, onsen and culture in between.
Short answer: yes. Japan has thousands of kilometres of coast facing open Pacific swell, and outside Chiba and Shonan most of it is uncrowded. We guide surf trips in four regions: Hokkaido (August to December), Shikoku (June to November), Miyazaki (all year) and Amami Oshima (late autumn to spring).
Trips are road trips by motorhome or van that move with the swell, usually 7 to 10 days. Surf guiding is ¥20,000 per person per day. Everything else, from the motorhome and accommodation to ferries, flights and board rental, we organise for you and quote separately, so you only pay for what your trip needs.
In Hokkaido our surf base is EZO POINT Surf Japan, our surf house at Cape Erimo, right above the break.
Four regions, one team
| Region | Where | Best season | Water and wetsuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Erimo, Hiroo and the Sea of Okhotsk | August to December, and winter for surf & ski | Cold: 3/2 mm in August, 5/4 mm or thicker with hood, gloves and booties from October |
| Shikoku | Tokushima and Kochi, on the Pacific side | Best from June to November, with typhoon swells in late summer and autumn | Mild: springsuit or 3/2 mm in summer, 4/3 mm in late autumn |
| Miyazaki (Kyushu) | Aoshima, Kisakihama and the Hyuga coast | All year, best from late summer to autumn | Warm: boardshorts or springsuit in summer, 3/2 mm in winter |
| Amami Oshima | The subtropical islands between Kyushu and Okinawa | Best from late autumn to spring, when north swells reach the island | Warm: springsuit or 3/2 mm |
Erimo, Hiroo and the Sea of Okhotsk
Japan’s last surf frontier. Long point waves at Hiroo, powerful exposed reefs at Cape Erimo where the Hidaka mountains drop into the Pacific, and, from October, icy swell on the Sea of Okhotsk. Lineups are close to empty. Our Hokkaido surf base is EZO POINT, our own surf house on the harbour at Cape Erimo.
Best season: August to December, and winter for surf & ski
Water: Cold: 3/2 mm in August, 5/4 mm or thicker with hood, gloves and booties from October
Off the water: Hidaka kombu and fresh seafood, onsen after every cold session, and backcountry skiing in Central Hokkaido once the snow arrives.
Stay and surf with us at EZO POINT, read our Hokkaido surf guide, or see why Hokkaido is Japan’s last uncrowded surf frontier.
Plan a Hokkaido trip Tokushima and Kochi, on the Pacific side
The quietest of Japan’s main islands, with river-mouth, beach and reef breaks along the Tokushima and Kochi coasts, including Kaifu and Ikumi. Small fishing towns, green mountains behind the beach and very little traffic.
Best season: Best from June to November, with typhoon swells in late summer and autumn
Water: Mild: springsuit or 3/2 mm in summer, 4/3 mm in late autumn
Off the water: Seared bonito (katsuo no tataki) in Kochi, temples of the 88-temple Shikoku pilgrimage along the coast, and onsen on the way.
Plan a Shikoku trip Aoshima, Kisakihama and the Hyuga coast
Japan’s best-known surf coast outside Chiba, and host of the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games at Kisakihama. Consistent beach breaks and points, warm water and a real surf town culture, with plenty of room once you leave the main beaches.
Best season: All year, best from late summer to autumn
Water: Warm: boardshorts or springsuit in summer, 3/2 mm in winter
Off the water: Takachiho Gorge and its shrines, chicken nanban and Miyazaki beef, and the hot springs of the Kirishima mountains.
Plan a Miyazaki trip The subtropical islands between Kyushu and Okinawa
Coral reef breaks, clear water and empty jungle-backed coves on a subtropical island few surfers visit. A short flight from Kagoshima or Tokyo, and a different side of Japan.
Best season: Best from late autumn to spring, when north swells reach the island
Water: Warm: springsuit or 3/2 mm
Off the water: Island songs (shima-uta), brown sugar shochu, Oshima tsumugi silk weaving and slow island food.
Plan a Amami trip
Pure surf. We follow the swell along one coast or link several regions by motorhome or van, ferry and short flights, surfing two sessions a day when the waves are on.
Surf in the morning, then the Japan most visitors never see: fishing-town markets, regional dishes, shrines, craft workshops and an onsen every evening. Works in every region.
Japan’s rarest combination: backcountry skiing in Central Hokkaido with our guides, and cold-water surf on the Pacific coast. See the full section below.
A Japan surf trip works best on the move. We read the forecast every evening, drive to the coast with the best wave in the morning, and sleep by the beach or at a small inn. The route is a plan, not a schedule.
A heated motorhome with beds, a small kitchen and board storage for comfort on longer trips, or a compact surf van for small groups who want to park right by the break. We source the vehicle that fits your group and quote it separately.
Winter and spring in Hokkaido
Short answer: yes, you can ski and surf on the same trip in Japan, and Hokkaido is the place to do it. Few companies offer it because it needs guides for both: we guide backcountry skiing in Central Hokkaido all winter and surf the Pacific coast from our surf house at Cape Erimo.
Water: 5/4 mm or 6/5 mm with hood, gloves and booties. Your ski touring kit can be rented at Tokachi Base Club.
Plan a surf & ski tripSurf guiding: ¥20,000 per person per day
That price covers the surf guiding. Everything else is organised by us and quoted separately and clearly, so a trip in a motorhome on Amami and a trip staying at EZO POINT are priced on what they really cost. Tell us your dates, group and style and we send a full quote.
| Surf lesson | Surf camp | Yukiumi surf trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 1.5 to 3 hours | A few days at one base | 7 to 10 days on the move |
| Spots | One beach | Breaks near the camp | The best wave each day, across a region or several |
| Culture | None | Some | Food, onsen, towns and festivals built in |
| Group | Shared | Shared | Private, your group only |
| Ski too? | No | No | Yes, in Hokkaido |
Questions before surfing Japan.
It depends on the season. Hokkaido’s Pacific coast around Erimo and Hiroo is best from August to December and almost empty. Shikoku’s Tokushima and Kochi coasts pick up typhoon swell from June to November. Miyazaki in Kyushu has surf all year, and Amami Oshima’s reefs work best from late autumn to spring.
From August to December. Hiroo works from August, Erimo from September, and the Sea of Okhotsk from October. In winter and spring we combine Hokkaido surf with backcountry skiing.
Yes. In Hokkaido we combine backcountry ski days in Furano and Kamikawa with surf days on the Pacific coast from our surf house in Erimo, from late December into spring. Skiing and surfing on the same day is possible on the right day, but it needs luck with both snow and swell, so we plan for it rather than promise it.
The surf guiding. Everything else, including the motorhome or van, accommodation, ferries, domestic flights, board and wetsuit rental, meals and culture experiences, is organised by us and quoted separately, so the price follows the trip you actually want.
Usually 7 to 10 days, travelling by motorhome or surf van so we can follow the swell between spots. Shorter stays are possible at EZO POINT, our surf house at Cape Erimo in Hokkaido.
In Hokkaido, a 3/2 mm in August and September and a 5/4 mm or 6/5 mm with hood, gloves and booties from October. In Shikoku and Miyazaki, a springsuit or 3/2 mm in summer and a 3/2 or 4/3 mm in winter. In Amami, a springsuit or 3/2 mm. We can arrange rentals.
Yes, if we choose the region and season for it. Miyazaki and Shikoku have friendly beach breaks for improving surfers, while Erimo’s reefs and the Sea of Okhotsk suit experienced surfers. Tell us your level and we will plan the route around it.
No. We can arrange board and wetsuit rental, and help you choose the right board for the spots and season. Many surfers bring their own board as well.
Tell us where and when you would like to surf, your group and your level. We reply with a route and a full quote.
P: +81 80-1987-9909 E: yukiumi@yukiumi.com
More road trips and Hokkaido stories.
Sergi and Diego set off on a road trip across Honshu, Japan’s main island, exploring the Kansai region and discovering some of the country’s most authentic and beautiful places.
Rishiri Island skiing guide: ski mountaineering on Rishiri Fuji (1,721 m), getting there by ferry from Wakkanai, the north ridge route, the best lines and why mid to late March is the time to go.
When is the best time to ski Hokkaido? A local guide's month-by-month view of the Hokkaido ski season, December to April, plus Furano vs Kamikawa and when to avoid the crowds.