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About Yamaguchi

Diving in Yamaguchi Prefecture offers a captivating glimpse into the diverse marine ecosystems that thrive along the prefecture's coastlines, bordered by both the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. While Yamaguchi may be renowned for its culinary delicacies like "Fugu" (Poisonous Pufferfish), its underwater world also beckons diving enthusiasts with its rich biodiversity and unique dive sites.

The prefecture's coastal waters boast a plethora of dive sites, each offering its own distinct underwater scenery and marine life. From rocky reefs to sandy bottoms, divers can explore a variety of habitats teeming with endemic species and colorful marine creatures.

One of the highlights of diving in Yamaguchi is the Seto Inland Sea, renowned for its unique marine environment characterized by calm waters and rich biodiversity. Diving in this area offers divers the chance to encounter a wide range of marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates, against the backdrop of picturesque coastal landscapes.

While diving infrastructure in Yamaguchi may vary, there are several diving operators and shops in the area that cater to divers of all levels. Whether you're a beginner looking to take your first plunge or an experienced diver seeking new underwater adventures, Yamaguchi's dive sites promise an unforgettable experience beneath the waves.

So pack your gear, immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of Yamaguchi Prefecture, and embark on a diving journey filled with exploration and discovery in one of Japan's most scenic coastal regions.

Local Areas

Yamaguchi Area Map

Areas in Yamaguchi

Mishima

The dynamic diving area located at the  doorway to the Ocean of Japan

Located 45km off the coast of Yamaguchi prefecture, Mishima is a diving spot only 3 month(July to September) during the year.
During this time of the year, the Tsushima warm current hits Mishima directly, and from this, you will have the chance to see a large group of schooling Tuna, skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and many other  fishes.
The visibility can go up to 20-30m, water temperature 25-29C.

What you can see

July to September:
-School of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
-Schoo of chicken grunt(Parapristipoma trilineatum )
-School of  knife fish(Labracoglossa argentiventris)
-School of  Japanese horse mackerel(Trachurus japonicus)
-School of  Barracudas(Sphyraena)

Oomijima

Beach entry into the beautiful underwater terrain

An Island off the cost of Nagatoshi of Yamaguchi prefecture. The Island is accessible by a bridge.
This diving area is famous because for the night diving.
During the month of April to May, underwater photographer from all over japan gather here to shoot for the underwater deep critters gathering abound the torch during night diving.
If your a keen night diving photographer, this is the place to visit.

What you can see

All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of squid
-Variety of Sea Horse
-Variety of Macro marine life

April to May:
-Variety of plankton (During night dive)
-Variety of macro creatures

Futaoijima Island

2 wreck diving points

It is a small Island of only 100 residents in the Kanmon Straits. This area, although artificially made, has 2 sunken fishing boat to enjoy. 1 boat"Myoko maru" at 24m and "Rokuren Maru" at 27m. With this artificial reef for the marine animals , you will certainly be entertained.

What you can see

All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life

Yoshimo

Dive the beautiful Honshu beach

Located at Shimonoseki City, this diving area is near the Yoshimo Beach. It is a shallow sandy bottom area with maximum depth of 8m. Due to the ocean current, you can enjoy the tropical fishes from the south.

What you can see

Dive the beautiful Honshu beach

Located at Shimonoseki City, this diving area is near the Yoshimo Beach. It is a shallow sandy bottom area with maximum depth of 8m. Due to the ocean current, you can enjoy the tropical fishes from the south.

Agawa

Near the capital of Yamaguchi prefecture

Located at Shimonoseki City, the are consists of 1 Beach entry point and 3 Boat diving points. The visibility is stable all year round averaging to about 10m. You can enjoy both the dynamic underwater terrain and the abundance of marine animals.

What you can see

All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life

Suou-Oshima

See the endangered Zooxanthellate scleractinian coral(Alveopora japonica)

Located in the far east of Yamaguchi prefecture, this diving area consists of 30 small Island group.  This spot is famous for it's largest plant vegetation of Zooxanthellate scleractinian coral(Alveopora japonica) in Japan. This rare coral is in the endangered red list and only found in the Japan and the surrounding ocean. 

What you can see

All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
-Zooxanthellate scleractinian coral(Alveopora japonica)

Shops in the area

Love and Blue ラブ・アンド・ブルー 

  • Yanai-shi, Yamaguchi
  • Japanese
  • CashCredit Card
  • City
  • PADI
  • Shop link

Pinnacle Diving Company ピナクルダイビングカンパニー

  • Kanagawa, Kanagawa
  • English
  • CashCredit Card
  • City
  • NAUI
  • Shop link

Aishima

Located 14km off the coast of Hagi city, Yamaguchi It is a diving site that is getting popular among the local divers. The reasons are firstly the visibility. The average visibility is said to be around 15m. With the strong current coming in, you can encounter large size school of fishes. On the reef called "Lion Rock", you can find nudibranch and other smaller macro marine life.

Murotsu

Popular marine activity destination for the locals, Murotsu is also popular among the divers because of it's great visibility. The boat points are about 22-30m deep.
Due to the nutrient rich environment, some divers  say that the macro marine life is much larger than compared to other diving locations around Japan.