About This Site
What this site is
The sea around Hokkaido is cold, far from many places, and in winter, snowy. For people who still want to get in the water, this site puts what to check before you paddle out in one place.
It covers three things:
- Water & Gear: water temperature by season from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data, and how to think about winter gear
- Safety & Etiquette: rip currents, cold water, entering the sea alone, and how to avoid causing trouble for local beaches
- Areas & Reading Forecasts: an area-level overview of the Pacific and Sea of Japan coasts, and how to read forecasts from JMA and licensed providers
No wave forecasts
This site does not publish wave or wind forecasts. In Japan, anyone other than the JMA who provides forecasts of waves or other weather must hold a permit from the Director-General of the JMA under the Meteorological Service Act. This applies whether it is paid or free, if it is done repeatedly and continuously on a website or similar (source: JMA, “Frequently asked questions about forecast service permits”, in Japanese). Simply explaining forecasts issued by the JMA or by permitted businesses does not require a permit. So this site covers how to read forecasts and summaries of past averages (analyses based on observations), not forecasts.
No exposing of local spots
This site names a beach only when the managing body (the municipality or park operator) officially presents it as available for use and this has been confirmed. Everything else is described only at the area level. There are no names, maps, or coordinates for other places, and no promotional wording meant to draw crowds to a place is used. Please ask a local shop or the managing body about conditions on the day.
Not affiliated
This site is not affiliated with any company, shop, school, or national or local government body. It is not an official source and does not speak for anyone. Names appear only to explain how things work or where information comes from, not as recommendations.
Who runs this site
One individual, YUJI, who lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido. I do not publish a photo here. Articles are based on official and primary sources. I do not write personal surfing stories.
What I promise
- No safety guarantees. I do not use wording that guarantees safety. I give you material to decide with; whether to go in is your decision, based on your own judgment and the conditions on the day.
- Ads are labeled. The site currently has no affiliate links. Google ads may appear at the end of some articles, labeled “Advertisement”. If I add affiliate links, I will state that the article contains PR at the top of that article, before the main text.
- Sources and dates. Rules, prices, and facilities change. I give sources and the date I checked them. Please confirm with the managing body or official sources before you act.
- No medical advice. For health questions, such as cold-related symptoms, please consult public agencies or professionals.
- Corrections are welcome. If you find a mistake or outdated information, please tell me.
In an emergency
For an accident at sea, or if you see someone being carried away, call 118 (Japan Coast Guard emergency number). For illness or injury on land, call 119. This site cannot help in an emergency.
About the English pages
Some articles are also available in English for visitors to Hokkaido. The Japanese pages are the original; the English pages are translations of the same content. If wording differs, please treat the Japanese page as the original and check official sources.
Contact
See the contact page. Privacy information is on the privacy policy page.