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)
About Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi is a prefecture of Japan in the Chugoku region of the main island of Honshu.
7% of the total area is designated as Natural Parks, Quasi-National Parks and Prefectural Natural Parks. As it located on the western tip of the Chugoku area, it is surrounded by the Sea of Japan and the Setouchi inland Sea. Yamaguchi is famous for the delicacy called “Fugu” (Poisonous Puff fish). A government licensed chef will prepare the dish to make sashimi from this fish. Very expensive but an experience you may want to try.
Diving wise, there are many diving places around Yamaguchi area. The waters are filled with endemic marine life.
The Setouchi inland sea is an unique marine environment.
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.
Diving Site (Mishima)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.77419,131.14191
What you can see
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.
Diving Site (Oomijima)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.419726,131.204309
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
Caves and odd rock formations on a little island in the Sea of Japan
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.
Diving Site (Futoijima)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.104235,130.783181
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.
Diving Site (Yoshimo)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.099136,130.872595
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.
Diving Site (Agawa)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.346598,130.925241
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.
Diving Site (Suo Oshima)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.924844,132.189216
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)
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.
Diving Site (Aishima)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.506698,131.278351
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.
Diving Site (Murotsu)
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.836932,132.117798