Still, it is possible to find schools that, at least, have English information on their websites. Given the general lack of foreign faces in the surf line-ups, JapanвЂ™s surf scene is not such an international one. A potential difficulty could be language barriers. Japan offers plenty of gentle waves in which to learn, and popular areas will have surf schools offering lesson during the warmer seasons. But it is emphatically worth it, so donвЂ™t give up! And whilst the sport is ultimately soul affirming, youвЂ™ll like have to suffer some soul destroying moments to get there.

To the beginner - surfing is really hard. Some popular surfing areas may have club houses that are open to everyone, where youвЂ™ll find showers and lockers. Before you jump on the train in colder seasons though, consider where you might change, and how youвЂ™ll carry your wetsuit. Taking trains is fine in summer, when youвЂ™ll only need a minimum of kit and can get dry on the beach. Isonoura is accessible by train from Osaka. Although this writer is unaware of any line that will not accept boards, there will be a length limit (~2 m) and they must be in a bag. Unless you want to be silently hated by a lot of people, donвЂ™t try to bring boards on a rush-hour train. Be sure to check that the break youвЂ™re heading for is within walking distance of the station. From Tokyo, parts of Chiba and the Shonan region of Kanagawa are legitimate possibilities. Using trains is another option, and people do take it. This writerвЂ™s trip from Tokyo to the beach in Chiba вЂ¦ Plenty of the countryвЂ™s premier breaks have parking, outdoor (cold-water) showers, and toilets. Unless youвЂ™re prepared to move house and relocate to the beach, the easiest way to get to the surf is by car. Further south still, Kyushu receives plenty of waves, particularly around Miyazaki. Shikoku is one of the best surf destinations in Japan and has numerous breaks in the Kochi and Tokushima regions. For residents of Kansai, the nearest/most accessible surf resource is probably Isonoura, with the Wakayama coastline presenting more distant opportunities. In the Kanto area check out Ibaraki, Chiba, Kanagawa and Shizuoka. There are endless surfing possibilities on Japan's east coast (and some on the west). Murasaki Sports and Oshmans are nationwide chains that stock surf gear. If you're in Tokyo, head to the Ochanomizu area which has a whole street of shops dedicated to surf goods and culture. Given the propensity to urinate inside these things, you may want to go for something brand new. A 3-4 mm (thick) wetsuit will cover you for all seasons outside of winter. So, if want to be in the water for most of the year, youвЂ™ll need some rubber. Mainland Japan has a window of 1-3 months when you can surf without a wetsuit. Popular beaches will have surfboard rentals where 3,000 yen could get you a board for between 2 hours - half a day. Classified sections of expat rags like Metropolis or Kansai Scene may also be an option. Large вЂrecycleвЂ™ stores often have a selection of surfboards where you could come away with something decent for around 10,000 yen. leash, deck pad): 55,000 yenДЄs you can see, getting kitted out doesnвЂ™t come cheap. To give you an idea of the costs, take a look at the breakdowns below.Д«asic board set (inc.

But (hopefully), you're already in Japan so the former will be significantly reduced, and as for the latter, well, with world-class waves come brawling crowds, and/or massive egos, none of which you'll have to deal with in Japan.ДЇirst of all you'll need some kit! Buying new surfboards in Japan is an inordinately expensive business. What prevents it from being a destination of choice for the travelling surfer, is expense, language, and a lack of genuine world-class waves. In fact, outside of industry juggernauts Australia, America and Brazil, Japan has one of the world's largest surfing populations. With an east coast exposed to Pacific Ocean swell, and a good transportation infrastructure, there is plenty of potential to find waves. It may come as a surprise to learn that Japan is a legitimate surfing resource.

Japanese surfer