Many first time travelers only get to scratch the surface of Japan, but If you’re on your second or third trip however then you will know what I mean by the expression Surfing with Fuji.
Surfing with Fuji is what you get when you spend two or three days touring the area by cobbling together various means of transportation and a DIY itinerary. If you surf, love beach culture, or want to really feel like a local, then this Surfing with Fuji concept is going to be your way of doing things.
Surfing in Shizuoka is awesome, especially in typhoon season, and there is also an all year round world class wave pool in Shizunami (South West of Tokyo) called “Surf Stadium Shizunami” which opened in 2021, and is the biggest and best wave pool in Japan.
Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures are right next to each other and have a strong alliance. As a frequent Australian resident of Yamanashi I have to say that I am TOTALLY stoked to have this AWESOME wave pool literally right on my FUJI door step! As someone who has been surfing in Australia since the age of 12, being able to keep up the stoke so easily in Japan is now a dream come true for me.
In this respect the expression Surfing with Fuji can also very obviously relate to the fact that surfing in the area has been given an all year round upgrade with this new Surf Stadium.
High quality waves for surfers of all levels from beginners to professionals are ongoing throughout the day. Awesome for skill improvement as the cutting edge technology pumps out consistent waves that are the same every time. Instructors are also available for beginners.
The stadium is generally open from 9am till 8pm everyday of the week, but these times sometimes vary. Also, on some days the pool is fully reserved.
The address is 2220 Shizunami, Makinohara, Shizuoka. Its 17 minutes by car once you get off the Tomei Expressway Sagara Makinohara IC. If you catch the bus it’s a 10 minute walk from the Shizunami Kaigan Iriguchi bus stop.
The cost is amazingly cheap! Prices start at 3800 yen per session. (less than AUS $40) You can rent all your gear. There is a free observation deck and parking is available.
Website: https://www.surfstadium-japan.co.jp/ (In Japanese only)
Surfing with Fuji also means “Adventure!” The coastlines of Shizuoka and Shonan have a very similar beach community vibe to each other and many of these beaches also provide awesome views of Mt Fuji.
Where Shonan (North of Shizuoka) is a little busier however, Shizuoka’s pace slows down a little more to be in tune with the rhythms of nature. Its less urban, more rural and the pace more relaxing. But as the town is so close to the ocean the beaches can still get packed in summer. If you’re looking for world class waves just make sure you are here for typhoon season, otherwise however the summer months provide small beach break waves. Staying stoked however is no longer problem with the Surf Stadium not so far away. The surf formations around Shizuoka are typically beach breaks, reefs and river mouths. If you are a beginner then I would recommend trying Shirahama. Aim for a North swell. The backwash on these beaches can be quite significant, which uses up a lot more energy, so I would definitely recommend going out with a bigger sized board and one that has plenty of floatation.
The hidden reefs around Omaezaki are more suited towards advanced surfers. For these breaks however I would also recommend using a long board as, compared to Australia, the swell on most days is going to be limited. Naturally you will want to pack a different stick for the highly anticipated typhoon season!
Obviously, In winter, Surfing with fuji translates to “Snowboarding on Fuji” as it also refers to the powder snow that forms on Mt Fuji’s slopes. Please see my Fujiten Snowboard park post about this…
Meanwhile, in Summer it does get very hot on the beach. (The sand is typically grey with volcanic ash) At a lot of beaches however you can rent beach umbrellas (Highly recommended) and available refreshments are usually not far away. There are often sandflies as well, so do pack repellent. Unlike Australia, you can also drink alcohol on the beach. Just don’t drink and drive, otherwise Surfing with Fuji may take on a whole new meaning for you!
Next Post: Fuji Forrest Adventure!