Tips for Surfing in Japan

I'll try and update this page as much as I can - whenever I think of something useful knowing for travelling and surfing in Japan. Let me know if you've got any tips of your own and I'll stick them up here...

1. Bring some money!
Japan is not the cheapest of places when it comes to surfing, although it has become cheaper recently with the discount tolls available. Take into account the fact that you've got to travel some distance to get to the surf by car, and some days you can be forgiven for thinking.."is it really worth paying tolls and driving 3 hours to surf 1 foot crap!" But when the surf is up, it is DEFINITELY worth it!

2. Have a map handy - or better still, your GPS!
Sometimes it is damn hard to find the surf breaks in Japan...down back streets and side alleys - I've gotten lost more than once trying to get to a well know surf spot - and it's not good spending precious surfing time on the road lost. If it is your first time to explore a new break, plan ahead and check the routes on Google Map, or ask a local to show you the way. GPS Navigation is always a good option too.

3. Bring your own water to rinse off.
There are not many surfspots that have easily accessible showers for rinsing off. Some spots do, but 90% of the ones I've been to have very little in the way of any decent facilities. Bring a big keg of water to wash yourself down with after a long days surfing. There's nothing worse than feeling itchy from the salt water on a 3 hour trip home in the car!

4. Renting a surfboard?
This really depends on where you are going and if there are any surfshops nearby. If you are a beginner looking to rent all the equipment, or get some surfing lessons, your best bet would be to stay close to the Shonan area. Lots of surf shops near to the beach and easy access. If you are venturing out further, it would be best to check ahead as to whether the area you're going to has any surf shops that rent boards. Not everywhere does, so it is best to get the info ahead of time. Bringing you're own - if it is an option - is always your best best. Better still, hook up with a mate in Japan that already has one! Got no mates in Japan?? Then join the Japan surfing community on our message boards!

5. Crowds in Japan
Although Japan has some of the most crowded spots in the world - you can always get a wave somewhere. Nothing like the tension and crowds you'd see in a place like Hawaii or anything... Just a mellow crowd.. With a bunch of "soup riders" thrown in. There are a few 'hot spots' around the place where only experienced surfers should paddle out, but like anywhere in the world you surf, treat the locals with respect and you'll fit in no problems.

6. The Best Season?
The late Summer months of August - October are your best chance to pick up some typhoon swells and some mighty powerful waves. On the other side of the coin, the Japan Sea side picks up most of the swell during the Winter months between December - March. Japan is a very fickle place, so you have to be on your game. Check the weather charts, swell maps, surf reports... The swell can drop from 4 foot to 4cm in the matter of a couple of hours. But that's all part of the fun though, isn't it??

Surf Talk! The basics of surf communication in Japan!

Ever want to know how to talk "surf lingo" in Japanese? Well look no further than JAPANSURF.COM. Here you'll find a list of all the "need to know" surf lingo and vocabulary to keep your brain cells busy. Let us know if there's a word or phrase that you don't see here and we'll put it up for you. In the meantime this'll get you started!

GETTING STARTED
How's the waves?
- Nami dou?

How do you get to the beach?
- Beach made, do yatte ittara ii?

How far to the beach?
- Beach made, dono gurai desu ka?

How big is it?
- Size wa dono gurai?

Where's my surfboard?
- Ore no ita wa doko?

Is it cold in?
- Mizu ga tsumetai desu ka?

Is it warm in?
- Mizu ga attakai desu ka?

These waves are crap!
- Nami Gucha Gucha ya!

How much is that _____?
- Sono _____ wa ikura desu ka?

Surf Talk Vocabulary

WAVE SIZE
Knee High = Hiza
Waist High = Koshi
Chest High = Mune
Shoulder High = Kata
Head High = Atama
Overhead = Oobahead
Double Overhead = Double

- You can also mix two of them together: Hiza-Koshi = Knee-Waist High Waves

- If you put the word "gurai" after one of the above - it becomes about ".." high: Atama gurai = about head high.

EQUIPMENT
Most of the English words are the same except for a few:
Surfboard = Sarfuboardo or "Ita"
Legrope / Leash = Powercord / Leash
Grip = Dekki Paddo
Short Sleeved Steamer = Seagull (don't ask me why!?)
Wetshirt / Rash Guard = Rash guard
Boardshorts = Trunks

GENERAL STUFF
Warm Water = mizu ga attakai
Cold Water = mizu ga tsumetai
A little bit cold = chotto samui
Early = hayai
Late = Osoi
Morning = Asa
Midday = Hiru
Late afternoon = Yugata
Night = Yoru
Close Out = Dumpa
Choppy = Choppy
Just a mess! = Gucha Gucha!