Bikuni Treasure Island in Shakotan, Hokkaido, is a boat-entry site 5–10 minutes from Bikuni Port. Known for its clear “Shakotan blue” waters, it features dynamic terrain with columnar joints, crevasses, and tunnels.

The incredible diversity of snails and octopi concealed within the caves and crevices of the rocks at this dive site is truly astonishing. These caves provide ample room for swimming and underwater exploration. The presence of beautiful seaweed and other aquatic flora adds to the site’s allure, creating the appearance of an underwater garden. Moreover, this environment hosts a variety of small fish that play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Divers and snorkelers alike can immerse themselves in this captivating marine realm, marveling at the breathtaking underwater scenery and the fascinating creatures that call it home.

The location is near the road from Rankoshi Ocean Road to Iwanai City. The entrance is easy with stairs. The dive site has parking and toilets near the stairs. It is a rocky beach so it is important to wear suitable shoes for walking. A great place for open water levels and freediving.

It is located along the coast, at one end of the beach that extends to the right. This beach can be accessed through an easy entrance, but requires a short walk with the necessary gear. The beach is spacious and sandy, and plenty of parking spaces are available. One thing to note, however, is that there are no restrooms available. This is a great place to spend some time on the beautiful beach while enjoying nature.

The water quality has been the highest in Japan for five years in a row and the clarity is high, reaching 50 meters from January to June. You can also go ice diving during January to March. You can do a river drift dive into the river that drains from the lake.

The town of Usushiri in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, is an ocean with an excellent ecological balance and biodiversity. The water temperature drops to 2 degrees Celsius at its lowest point, but rises to 21 degrees Celsius in the summer, making it a great place to dive all year round.

Tatsuhobizaki, at the Tsugaru Peninsula’s tip in Aomori, is a top local dive site with snappers, horse mackerel, lingcod, and colorful nudibranchs. A small tunnel rock keeps divers returning. It’s also Honshu’s northernmost spot where you can enjoy both diving and camping in one trip.

Hirauchi Cho (Natsudomari Peninsula) in Tsugaru, Aomori, juts into Mutsu Bay and offers rocky and sandy terrain. In spring, it’s rich with nudibranchs, catfish, and dolphinfish. The clear waters around Oshima Island provide stunning views. Ideal for all levels, it showcases Mutsu Bay’s vibrant ecosystem.

The Shiretoko Peninsula is the mecca of ice diving in Japan, and unlike other frozen lakes, it is possible to dive on drift ice, which is one of the rarest in the world. The freshwater from Russia’s Amur River freezes and is swept away by the wind, bringing it to the Shiretoko Peninsula from January to March every year.

Tobishima is located 39 km off the coast of Sakata City, and in August, the clarity is 20 to 30 meters. You can see the terrain dropping to 40 meters vertically. There are also a variety of corals and isoflavas, which are rare in the Tohoku region.