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This is a guest post from Tiffy, a.k.a. AsiaTravelBug. Tiffy has visited Japan 6 times. Her favorite cities are Kyoto and Tokyo and she would choose to visit Japan over Paris in a heartbeat. She is excited to share her picks for the best scuba diving spots in Japan!
7 Best Scuba Diving Spots in Japan
Japan may not seem like the most tropical of destinations for vacationing, but its unique geography actually makes it a perfect travel spot for enjoying the cold of the Japanese Alps one day and the tropical beaches of the southern islands the next. Southern Japan offers multiple diving destinations perfect for seeing the flourishing underwater ecosystem while providing a warm and relaxing climate to bask in. There are many options available for diving, but each area may present differing difficulties and skill levels. From easy dives for the beginning diver to advanced for the seasoned diver, Japan offers a scenic diving adventure for everyone.
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1. Yoron Island, Kagoshima
Yoron Island is a diver’s paradise with pristine beaches and healthy coral reefs teeming with aquatic life. Several types of tropical fish and reef sharks can be found in the reefs, making is a popular diving spot. When you’re not diving, a popular activity on Yuron Island is visiting the famed star sand sandbank, which is only accessible for a few hours before high tide. There you can find star-shaped sand, considered to bring good luck to the locals.
2. Miyako Island, Okinawa
The diving adventures are plentiful off of Miyako Island. Just off the sandy white beaches you can find coral reefs, naturally created caves, tunnels, and arches, perfect for the seasoned diver. The Blue Cave is a popular dive spot, providing a fun yet challenging diving experience. The clear blue waters are warm and inviting, filled with various species of fish and aquatic life. Turtles, lionfish, candy crabs, and clownfish can all be found in this underwater oasis.
3. Chichijima, Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo
Chichijima is the largest of four islands in the Ogasawara group of islands and is known as the “Galapagos of the Orient.” It is the ideal destination for diver’s looking to complete some adventurous wreck dives. In addition to the many sunken ships from WWII, it is also possible to spot some whales during the migration season. Humpback whales make their way past the Ogasawara Islands from December to March and you can find diving boats to take you to some hot spots perfect for picture-taking.
4. Hateruma Island, Okinawa
Hateruma Island has been voted as a top dive location in Japan and for good reason—its sapphire waters host a number of different brightly hued tropical fish. Make sure to bring your camera as you’ll have many opportunities to get the perfect underwater shot of the aquatic life located here. Hateruma Island is the southernmost inhabited island of Japan, so you can be sure of warm weather and enjoyable waters. Hateruma is the perfect spot for using the portable wifi in Japan, as the area is sparsely populated but has many amazing sights around the area.
5. Ishigaki Island, Okinawa
Transparent blue water surrounds Ishigaki Island and is a wonderful area to visit for spotting a number of marine mammals. Plentiful coral reefs bring a variety of fish and sea creatures, but the real draw is the population of manta rays. Manta rays flock to this underwater environment in search of plankton. They can be found in large groupings and are a picture-worthy sight to see. This is also a destination for spotting humpback whales during their migration and with the clear blue waters, they are easily spotted.
6. Yonaguni Island, Okinawa
Yonaguni is the westernmost island of the Okinawa prefecture. It has clear, sparkling waters that remain relatively warm throughout the year. Perhaps best known for its mysterious underwater stone structures, Yonaguni Island is a destination perfect for the adventurous explorer. The underwater stone structures have not been studied thoroughly enough to conclude if they were created by man centuries ago, or if they are naturally occurring. Whatever the case, they are a spectacular sight to behold. Other draws to this diving location include large schools of hammerhead sharks, butterfly fish, turtles, and moray eels. Caverns and swim-throughs provide plenty of activity for the seasoned diver.
7. USS Emmons (Kouri Island), Okinawa
The USS Emmons rests peacefully one mile off the Coast of Kouri Island. It is roughly 150 feet below the surface and has sat in peace there since being hit by five Japanese kamikazes during WWII. You will find a ship that seems to be frozen in time, with guns at the ready and still loaded with ammunition. It is a somber yet eye-opening experiencing that is worthy of a visit. Each year on the anniversary of the sinking, Japanese and American divers visit the ship in remembrance of all the lives lost on the ship and during the war.
These spots may be considered the best in Japan, but there are numerous other locations that would appeal to the diving hobbyist. Multiple diving companies are scattered throughout Japan and provide guided tours, from beginner to advanced, and can last from several hours to several days. While the cities and mountainous landscape may draw most the most attention of this beautiful country, diving the sapphire waters off the coast will make a memorable and adventurous experience definitely worth taking.
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About the Author
Tiffy, a.k.a. AsiaTravelBug, is a travel planning freak, an ex-finance manager and currently a digital marketing ninja. Traveling has kept her sane from all the hustles and bustles of corporate life. Despite being a nervous flyer, Tiffy’s wanderlust has led her to visit Japan for 6 times (and counting). Her favorite cities are Kyoto and Tokyo and would choose to visit Japan over Paris in a heartbeat!
Angie (FeetDoTravel) says
When we visit Japan, we want to dive Truck Lagoon as that looks amazing. I didn’t know anything about any other sites so this is a great guide, thanks for putting it together. Pinned #fwetsotravel
Medha Verma says
I’ve never really imagined Japan to be a scuba diving destination. I always associate it with culture, history, technology, food but not diving! This is great to know, Okinawa is a place I would love to visit sometime and I could’ve included it in my list of places when I went but I just did not have the time. This post is very informative, thank you!
Divyakshi Gupta says
Never thought Japan to be a destination for diving but if a person has visited it six times, I’d love to believe that! Would love to visit Yuron Island for the famed star sand sandbank! Such a unique story to that one. Naturally created caves and tunnels of Miyako sound so fascinating! As a lover of seas, I’d love to see the underwater life of Ishigaki 🙂 The ship wrecks of Chichijima are a delight for history lovers. Those wrecks look straight out of a movie!
Jennifer Joslin says
They totally do! Japan isn’t known for diving, but it seems like it should be. All of the dive sites look amazing! 😀
Lauren says
Japan is really high on my list and I hope to go this year. I never thought about Japan being so popular for scuba diving. I have never gone scuba diving either – maybe I could check TWO things off my bucket list by taking some of your advice and trying some of these dive sites! Thanks for the great list!
Jennifer Joslin says
Thanks for reading Lauren! Scuba diving definitely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japan. Hope you and Justin have an awesome trip there!
Jenna says
I would have never thought about scuba diving in Japan, but it makes sense since it’s an island and there are so many great islands off the coast! The wreck dive at Chichijima looks really neat and it’s cool that it’s called the Galapagos of the Orient! And the water at Ishigaki Island is so clear and blue! All of these diving spots look amazing!
Jennifer Joslin says
They really do! That wreck dive does look awesome. Funny that Japan isn’t well known for diving, but there are certainly a lot of places to dive there!
Vicky and Buddy says
To be honest, I had never really thought of diving in Japan. When I think of the country, what comes to mind is big cities with parks and temples. It’s good to know there are diving options as well!
Sandy N Vyjay says
This is indeed a fresh perspective of Japan. A different facet of Japan which we do not get to see much. These are really amazing scuba diving spots to view the fascinating underwater world.I was really mesmerized looking at the picture of ishigaki island, it looks so exotic.
Lydia Smith says
I’ve always know me Japan to be be a country with so much to baost off, especially it’s landscape. I’m not surprised there are many of waters like this for doing, just sad why I haven’t had the time to visit Japan. Perhaps, it’s too overwhelming for me. My best diving spot in this post is Yoron Island, the water is so clear and that star shaped sand? I want to visit and hope it brings me luck. I love other spots too
Punita Malhotra says
All your photos of the clear blue waters are gorgeous. I found the diving site with wrecks specially fascinating. What an adventure to go in search of sunken ships.
Mags Nixon says
Wow I never put diving and Japan in the same sentence before. Thanks for sharing. Japan has been on my bucket list for a while now and this just gives me another reason to go. Great blog post. I love the fact Tiffy, that you’ve been to Japan 6 times and clearly know what you’re talking about! Will definitely be going over to your blog to read some of your other stuff and Two Can Travel, thanks for featuring Tiffy and keep on the amazing work you guys do on your blog!
Jennifer Joslin says
Thanks for reading and for your kind words, Mags! Hope you make it to Japan soon. 😀
Vanessa Workman says
Wow, I just researched ww2 historic sites and memorials in Asia, but didn’t even think of the sunken ships. That must be chilling to see the USS Emmons. It’s great that the Japanese and American divers make an annual anniversary visit, so many lives were effected by ww2 it’s important to ‘never forget’.
Anu says
Oh My God. I never knew Japan has so many beautiful diving sites. All of them look beautiful, but Chichijima stands out with the shipwreck that sits so delicately on the ocean bed. Come to think of it, it is the world war II history looking at you – waiting for you to come and explore it.
Thank you for introducing me to one more aspect of Japan.
Shweta says
I have never visited Japan. But recently did my OWD scuba certification. Although of the sites esp the ones with WWII wrecks seem suitable only for advanced divers, this post has given me one more reason to visit Japan. I would love to visit soon, experience the unique culture of that country and find time for a dive or two.