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Japan Surf Tour with Guide
$3195 NZD
10 days, Miyazaki Coast and Tanegashima Island
Surf the best South Japan surf spots on this 10 day tour. Traveling with a surf tour guide will ensure you get to surf Miyazaki and Tanegashima’s best waves, gain insight into the culture, and visit special places off the beaten-track.
- feast on warm water waves and delicious traditional meals
- soak up the zen at the many temples and shrines
- enjoy the variety of surf spots, this region of Japan has more than 50
- rejuvenate tired paddling muscles in a therapeutic ‘onsen’ – natural hot spring
- surf Tanegashima Island’s abundant reef breaks in crystal clear waters
Surf Tour Overview
Your tour will begin in Miyazaki, a small yet interesting city on the coast and we will also spend 3 nights on Tanegashima, a sub tropical Island 3.5 hours ferry ride to the south. Being off the regular Japanese Tourism path and in an area still unaccustomed to seeing foreign faces, you will soon feel like you’re on a real adventure! Traveling in a comfortable van for the duration of the tour will give you access to several wave-rich areas, Hyuga and North Miyazaki, the Nichinan Coast, and the South Coast towards Kagoshima. The South Japan surf spots cater to all levels of surfer. If you’re an average surfer you will feel comfortable in the many user-friendly point, beach, and reef breaks, and if you’re an advanced surfer looking for a challenge, there are several heavy breaks which can produce hollow tube rides.
Where we go each day will depend on the weather conditions and your preferences. We’ll choose wisely to ensure you get your share of uncrowded waves! The natural surroundings include lush forests, rice paddies, spectacular mountains, rugged cliffs, and there are plenty of other activities on offer. When not surfing you could be hiking to waterfalls and swimming holes, visiting shrines,temples and teahouses, or soaking in an ‘onsen’ – a natural hot spring and a must do while in Japan.
Throughout the tour I will ensure you are well fed, taking you to some of the best restaurants so you can experience true Japanese cuisine and tasty local produce. Our group will be based in a comfortable modern hotel in Miyazaki and a surf-style villa on Tanegashima. The tour will end where it started, Miyazaki airport.
Itinerary
Day 1 Meet in Miyazaki
Group meets at Miyazaki Airport, then checks in to hotel in Miyazaki City. Once you’re settled in we’ll go for lunch and spend the afternoon surfing. That evening there will be a welcome dinner.
Day 2 – 6 Surf the Miyazaki Coastline
After daily breakfast at the hotel we’ll load our boards in the van and go on the search! We could head North, South or East depending on conditions. Miyazaki city is centrally located to access the three main surfing areas. These areas all have different landscapes and personalities – the North has some uncrowded rivermouths amongst small farming towns, the Nichinan coast has a spectacular clifftop highway dotted with small fishing ports and reef breaks. The South coast has a laid back country feel, and if you know where to look, some beautiful surf spots.
When you need to refuel we’ll head to a restaurant for lunch, or if you want to go to a supermarket to stock up on snacks, water etc – no worries!
If your group wants to do some other activities that can easily be arranged, just let me know. There are some great walks, swimming holes, castles, cafes……
At the end of each day's surfing, we’ll head back to the hotel and meet up for our evening meal. After dinner there will be free time. You could check out the modern, neon side of Japan’s city culture, do a bit of shopping, or just relax at the hotel.
Day 7 Ferry to Tanegashima Island
Up early, we’ll take the scenic drive south to Kagoshima port and board the 8.40am car ferry to Tanegashima. The cruise begins under the shadow of the Sakurijima volcano - made famous by Hokusai’s paintings - and continues through a dramatic harbour and out into the open ocean. Arriving at Tanegashima around midday, we’ll head to our surf villa on the east coast and be in the water soon after. Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 8 – 9 Tanegashima Island Surf Adventure
Daily breakfast will be organised at the villa and then we can explore the island. There is plenty of space down here and really diverse surfing. The island is blessed with warm, clear waters – warm enough for coral reefs so its worth bringing a mask and snorkel. Several surf spots have that South Pacific, outer reef feel. Dinners nightly at local restaurants.
Day 10
Our ferry back to the mainland departs at 2pm so we’ll get an early breakfast and have a leisurely last surf or two, say goodbye to the island, and drive back to the port. Once back in Kagoshima we’ll drive straight back to our hotel in Miyazaki city and meet for our final dinner – a "bonenkai" Japanese style farewell!
Day 11 Tour ends
After breakfast at the hotel I'll drop you off at Miyazaki Airport for your flight home - "Sayonara"
Please note: I will do my best to stick to this itinerary but changes may need to be made due to weather conditions and other factors beyond our control. A flexible, easy going attitude towards the schedule will mean we can take advantage of the best surfing conditions and any other exciting opportunities that come our way!
Accommodation
All accommodation is included in the package price. 7 nights will be in a comfortable western-style hotel in the heart of Miyazaki city, rooms come with western-style beds, showers, TVs, and wireless internet is available. The package prices are based on twin share for the 7 nights in Miyazaki city. If you would prefer to have your own room an additional NZ $225 single supplement will be required.
The 3 nights on Tanegashima island will be in a surf-style villa. It may be in the traditional Japanese style where guests sleep on futons and share a big room. This is a fun way to experience the surf culture of Japan and I ask for your cooperation in this part of the adventure. Besides, we’ll know each other well by this point and the ocean views and surrounding nature will have you nice and relaxed.
Food
All breakfasts (10) and dinners (10) are included in the package price. While in Miyazaki breakfasts will be provided at the hotel and on Tanegashima Island I will ensure we have a healthy, tasty breakfast each day.
I lived in Miyazaki for 2 years so I know many good restaurants that we will visit for our evening meals. Dining out is a real treat in Japan and an exciting experience in itself. There are ‘izaka-ya’ – noisy, lively places where you can sample a wide variety of foods, cool down with a mug of beer, and make friends with the locals. Delicious tempura, noodle, and rice dishes can be found at restaurants throughout the countryside, often in picturesque locations. There is also some amazing seafood, ‘ise-ebi’ is like crayfish or lobster and some other delicacies include ‘unagi’ – eel, and ‘tako-yaki” – fried octopus. Some fine western and international food can be found too, Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern etc.
Lunches, snacks, and drinks (alcoholic and non) are not included in the package price to give you choice and to keep things simple. We will take lunch each day at suitable times between surfs, and I will take us to nearby restaurants and help you with ordering. You can stock up on snacks and drinks at the many convenience stores and supermarkets.
Surf Equipment
I recommend that you bring your own boards. Bring your favourite shortboard and then something a bit longer with a pin tail if you want to charge the big days. Of course, long boards and bodyboards are welcome too, I don’t discriminate!
The water is warm and boardshorts / bikinis combined with a vest are all you will need most days. Sometimes there might be a cool breeze so bringing a short wetsuit is a good idea, they’re good for sun protection too.
It's best to bring legropes, wax, and other accessories with you but if you need more after arrival they are widely available in Miyazaki at reasonable prices.
view the details of our Intermediate Surfing Course in Japan.
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