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
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.77419,131.14191
Yamaguchi-Mishima
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.419726,131.204309
Yamaguchi-Oomijima
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
Travel guide by the Japan National Tourism Organization The rocks that jut from the sea here on Omi Island near...
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.104235,130.783181
Yamaguchi-Futaoijima Island
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.099136,130.872595
Yamaguchi-Yoshimo
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.346598,130.925241
Yamaguchi-Agawa
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.924844,132.189216
Yamaguchi-Suou-Oshima
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
Pinnacle Diving Company ピナクルダイビングカンパニー
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.506698,131.278351
Yamaguchi-Aishima
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.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.836932,132.117798