Japan Surfing News

August 27th, 2011, Original Story: Surfline

We say hurricane. Japanese call 'em typhoons. Tomato, tomatoe. Either way, those swirling, unpredictable, tropical storms of life-threatening energy are Japan's primary source for big swells this time of year. And when that perfect storm tracks slowly past the island nation -- close enough to pump out surf, yet far enough to escape damage -- Japanese surfers drop everything and head to their favorite reef, point or rivermouth.

"This was the most epic swell of summer in Japan," photographer Kimoto 'Kin' Kaoya said. "Typhoon Muifa cruised slowly through southern Japan, sending out a steady dose of groundswell. And after a long absences, Kochi Rivermouth finally woke up."

Kochi was easily the standout spot on Shikoku Island, a popular surfing locale in Japan. But other spots around the Land of the Rising Sun also got in on the action.

Surfline's Jonathan Warren recaps the swell:

"The western rim of the Ring of Fire was the center stage for Typhoon Muifa, which pumped out solid swell, as well as chaos, to various countries throughout the region over the last several days of July and through the first part of August. Muifa initially became a tropical depression on July 25th over the waters between Guam and Papua New Guinea. From here, Muifa meandered in a general northwesterly direction toward China. Along the way, Muifa became the second super typhoon of the 2011 season, and even momentarily stepping into the Category 5 status on the morning of July 30th over the Philippine Sea with max sustained winds reaching 140 knots.

"For the solid tropical juice that slammed southern Japan, specifically Shikoku Island represented in the photos of this feature, the bulk of this swell came from the track Muifa took from around July 30th through about August 2nd. During this path, Muifa held strong as a Cat 4 and Cat 3 storm, marching straight toward southern Japan. With the forward momentum of the storm, fairly slow track, and strongest winds located on the eastern side of the system (fetch of strong south winds), the end result was a solid and consistent south swell that charged Shikoku Island through the first week of August. Furthermore, after pumping out the swell, Muifa took a left turn toward China, leaving Shikoku clear from the chaotic weather and strong winds that the storm would have otherwise brought to the island."