Surfing Travel

Hokkaido - Going off the surf map

It’s cold, it’s north, it’s usually known for snowboarding and skiing, but it’s also good for surfing. Hokkaido, Japan’s second largest and northernmost island is home to hundreds of miles of untamed Pacific Ocean coastline, presenting endless breaks for the brave of heart and the travel inclined. As in the rest of Japan, Hokkaido has a surf culture, but one with far less crowds than Japan’s more southern territories. There are so few crowds, given the island’s sparse population, that more often than not one will find themselves surfing completely alone. Winter wetsuits will get you through most of the year in Hokkaido, while for the tolerant and tough coldwater surfers, less rubber is doable in the summer months. The prime season for swell in Hokkaido is August through November, when typhoon season is in full effect. When the swell and conditions come together in the right way, those who are in the know say that Hokkaido provides world class empty waves. There is a bit of information on the web regarding surfing in Hokkaido, but surfing there will still require a bit of exploration, as wind, weather, swell and coast direction all play into the quality of the waves on this mostly untamed (surfing-wise) island. Getting there will be a relatively easy flight from Tokyo, but finding the waves will not be so easy. Give Hokkaido a shot for an unfamiliar culture and an endlessly empty coastline. Get out there, go off the surf map and explore.

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