Fushiki-Kokubu in Takaoka, Toyama, is a shallow beach-entry site (max 5m) in Kokubu Seaside Park. Marine life thrives around offshore wave blocks, with seasonal highlights from nudibranchs to spawning cuttlefish, turtles, schooling fish, and dungeness. Great for both beginners and experts year-round.

This site is beach entry only. Enter from the gravel beach, and as you descended, the Gorota stones spread out. Once off the coast, it becomes a sandy area, which has several man-made towers of sorts. The water near the entry is shallow but gradually deepens as you go offshore to a depth of over 40 meters.

The Okinose W-Arch is situated on the Etchu-Miyazaki Coast, at the easternmost tip of Toyama Prefecture. Located approximately 1 kilometer offshore, it faces the open ocean. The water remains clear from spring through summer, although occasional strong currents can be encountered. The water depth here is about 15 meters, and the presence of two arches side by side is an exceedingly rare occurrence on the Sea of Japan side. According to local legend, an ancient shrine once stood in this area, making it known as a power spot. Visiting this site is highly recommended.

This is the border between Toyama and Niigata prefectures. The Oshirachi Beach is a cliff facing the open ocean, and the clarity is good, sometimes exceeding 20 meters from June to September. There are many large roots and rocks in the water, as well as arches and crevasses to enjoy the terrain.

Ryuoh-do Cave on Sado Island’s Ogi Peninsula is a large sea cave nicknamed the “Blue Cave” for its clear waters and glowing blue light. Popular for diving and sea kayaking, it hosts sea slugs, seahorses, and more, offering a magical experience for beginners to intermediate divers.

Ogi Port in southern Sado Island offers rich marine life and dynamic terrain. At the “Happy Jizo” point, a Jizo statue rests at 23m, where divers leave coins for safety prayers. With drop-offs and reef zones, it’s a favorite for topography enthusiasts.

Banjin Beach in Kashiwazaki, faces the Sea of Japan and offers calm conditions with diverse underwater scenery. With a max depth of 10m and beach entry, it’s great for all levels. Sandy, rocky areas and seaweed forests host seahorses, nudibranchs, dungeness corals, jellyfish and schools of horse mackerel.

Log Mae in Echizen, Fukui, is a beach-entry site with depths to 23m and dynamic features like Ebisu Channel, arches, and roots. Home to schools of horse mackerel, amberjack, and 200+ nudibranch species, it’s ideal for all levels. Excellent facilities and easy access add to its appeal.

Kabushi Iwa in Echizen-cho, Fukui, is a beach-entry dive site ideal for beginners, with depths up to 12m. It features complex reefs, tunnels, and stable summer conditions. Divers can spot schools of horse mackerel, barracuda, nudibranchs, and enjoy the “First Tunnel” with natural air pockets.

About 10km south of Echizen, Minami Echizen is a diving area that has opened relatively recently. It is very accessible from the Kansai and Chubu areas, so many divers visit here. There are more than 20 dive sites on the beach and by boat.