Hokule’a Shonan is a small-group diving shop located in the Shonan area of Kanagawa Prefecture.
Quiet harbor towns.
Local coastal scenery.
An ocean that changes with the seasons.
We provide unique ocean experiences for international travelers and foreign residents in Japan, focusing on the Shonan and Izu areas.
Beginners and solo participants are always welcome.
Our small-group approach ensures that each person can enjoy the ocean safely at their own pace.
It's not just about diving in Japan;
it's about making a day by the sea a memorable part of your journey.
Escape the city and enter a beautiful, tranquil blue world.
Why not discover a side of Japan you’ve never seen from beneath the waves?
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The ocean connects the 🌎✨ world
Let's embark on a journey into a world that has not yet been seen!
Nice to meet you! "Hokule'a Shonan"
It is a cozy dive shop in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Hokule'a comes from the legend that ancient Polynesians relied on the stars to discover the Hawaiian Islands. We, Hokule'a Shonan, have inherited that spirit and are helping our customers discover a new self through contact with the splendor of the sea and Nature under the theme of "Let's go on a journey to a world that has not yet been seen!" Please experience the peace of mind and liberation under the sea, and the excitement of the unknown!
【Charm of Hokule'a Shonan】
(1) Good location, a 30-second walk from JR Hiratsuka Station! 🚃✨👍
Excellent Access 30 seconds walk from JR Hiratsuka Station. Feel free to stop by on your way home from work, school, or during a break!
(2) Enjoy the best diving spots near Tokyo! 🐠🐬🦈🪸
With Hiratsuka as Base point, you can easily enjoy Day trip diving on the Izu Peninsula and the Manazuru Peninsula. Leave the beautiful sea, such as Zushi and Hayama in the Local Shonan, to Hokule'a Shonan!
(3) Small-group and attentive beginner course. 🤿😃
The Sense Course for beginners is a small group of up to 2 people. In a relaxed atmosphere, you can take your time without difficulty.
(4) Held in monthly resort tours around the beautiful sea that Japan is proud of. 🇯🇵🌊✨
Why don't you enjoy the best beaches and oceans in Japan on a carefully selected resort tour? We're here to help you travel to the finest sea!
(5) Make fellow divers at fun Events and parties! 🍷🎉
We regularly Held in Events and parties where you can share the joy of diving. Meet new friends!
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Hirasawa, Shizuoka Prefecture.
This is a quiet sea in Japan that can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo.
From late spring to early summer, a special scenery appears in this sea.
A forest of seaweed extending to the water's surface.
A gently swaying green world.
Soft light filtering through.
It feels as if a forest is spreading underwater.
As you quietly swim between the seaweeds, small blue fish appear.
In the shadows of the rocks, small lives grow in the spring sea.
These seaweed areas are called "moba" in Japan.
They are important places where many fish and marine creatures live.
From spring to early summer, it is also the spawning season for the bigfin reef squid.
The changing scenery of the sea with each season is one of the charms of Japan's waters.
The sea of Hirasawa is a bit different from the tropical seas of Okinawa.
It lacks flamboyance.
However, it possesses a quiet beauty.
Light filtering through the seaweed.
A time when only the sound of waves can be heard.
The slowly flowing underwater scenery.
You can feel the gentle air typical of Japan's nature.
At Hokule'a Shonan, we offer guidance centered around the sea of Kanagawa and Izu, which can be enjoyed as a day trip from the Tokyo area.
With a small group, even beginners can feel at ease.
English support is also available.
Experience the time of Japan's sea that cannot be encountered just by visiting tourist spots.
It is recommended for those looking for "an experience in Japan that is more than just diving."
Related Keywords:
Hirasawa Diving / Nishi-Izu Diving / Izu Diving / Diving Near Tokyo / Japan Diving / Dive Near Tokyo / Japan Diving / Hidden Japan / Japanese Ocean Experience / Tokyo Day Trip
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A short train ride from Tokyo leads you to a peaceful seaside experience.
This time, I visited Zushi in Kanagawa Prefecture.
It's a popular beach for day trips near Tokyo.
The previous day was closed due to strong winds.
Excited to see how the sea has changed, I headed to Zushi in the morning.
Upon entry, a clear blue underwater world awaited.
Countless damselfish.
Sardines and mackerel swimming while reflecting the light.
Schools of fish filled the water.
The scenery was unlike anything you'd expect near Tokyo.
But the charm of Zushi's sea doesn't stop there.
Looking down a bit reveals a small world beginning.
A goby hiding in the rocks.
Colorful sea slugs.
As I searched slowly, new discoveries came one after another.
What impressed me most was the moment I saw a Sagami ryugu sea slug riding on a scorpion fish.
Just a few seconds of a small event.
Yet, such serendipitous scenes remain as memories of the sea.
Time spent observing the schools of fish.
Time spent looking for small creatures.
In the same sea, you can enjoy completely different experiences.
That's the allure of Zushi's sea.
After diving, I had lunch at a local diner.
The calm air after returning from the sea is one of the joys of traveling in Japan.
A glimpse of another side of Japan that you won't encounter just by sightseeing in Tokyo.
A tranquil world by the sea, right near the city.
Hokule'a Shonan offers small-group diving tours near Tokyo.
Beginners and solo participants are welcome.
Why not experience a "day by the sea" during your trip to Japan?
【Related Keywords】
Tokyo Diving / Diving Near Tokyo / Kanagawa Diving / Zushi Diving / Dive Near Tokyo / Japan Diving / Hidden Japan / Japanese Ocean Experience / Tokyo Day Trip
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Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Hirasawa, located along the coast of Nishi-Izu.
A few hours from Tokyo.
Here, time flows completely differently from the city.
In the morning, the road leads to the sea.
A blue sky.
The calm Suruga Bay.
The summer air.
This day was for OW, AOW, and Assistant Instructor courses.
Some are nervous about their first time in the sea.
Others are moving on to the next step.
Some are learning to support others.
Each enters the same sea with different purposes.
Underwater, it is quiet.
Swaying seaweed.
Light slowly filtering through.
A world where only the sound of bubbles can be heard.
The sea at Hirasawa has a beauty that is a bit different from flashiness.
Clear water.
Gentle currents.
Time spent slowly regulating one's breath.
Even for those diving for the first time, it's a place where you can gradually get used to the sea.
At Hokulea Shonan, tours and courses are conducted in small groups.
Enjoying the sea at your own pace, without rushing.
That is the style that is cherished in this place.
After diving.
Everyone stopped by Mentai Park.
Local food after seeing the sea.
Time to choose souvenirs.
Scenery along the coast while driving.
Such moments are also part of the journey in Japan.
Japan is not just about visiting famous tourist spots.
The road to the sea.
Local towns.
Small diving shops.
Scenery that can only be seen that day.
Nishi-Izu has such quiet charm.
For those wanting to spend a slightly special day near Tokyo.
Time spent in the sea of Japan will surely remain in your travel memories.
#Hirasawa #Izu Trip #Day Trip #Near Tokyo #PADI
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A special season unique to spring has begun at Enoura in Kanagawa Prefecture.
About an hour from Tokyo.
During this time, you can witness the "spawning of the Japanese common squid" in the waters of Japan.
Usually drifting quietly in the sea, the squids begin to gather in shallow waters for spawning as spring arrives.
Underwater, a unique tension and a quiet presence of life spread throughout.
Divers can observe the squids heading to their spawning grounds and the eggs laid on branches up close.
Spawning has just begun.
Over the next few weeks, small lives will develop within the eggs.
In a few weeks, you will also be able to see tiny baby squids swimming inside the eggs.
Watching underwater feels like peeking into a small story within the sea.
Moreover, this scenery can only be seen during the short period of spring.
It's not at an aquarium,
not in a video,
but a seasonal landscape you can experience in the actual waters of Japan.
On this day, we encountered clownfish, sea slugs, and even "underwater Doraemon."
It's another side of Japan that you won't find just by visiting Tokyo or Kyoto.
A day spent at the sea, a little away from the city, will surely become a special travel memory.
Enoura is a diving area that can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo.
Hokule'a Shonan offers small-group diving tours suitable for beginners.
They also provide English support, making it popular among travelers from abroad and foreign residents in Japan.
Come to the spring-only waters of Japan.
Why not go see the quiet drama of life?
📍 Enoura (Kanagawa Prefecture)
🚃 Day trip possible from Tokyo
🤿 Small group tours with English support
#Near Tokyo #Day trip #Extraordinary experience #Japanese common squid #Squid spawning
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Create special memories with your family near Tokyo 🤿☀️
This time, we visited Usami in Higashi-Izu.
It's a seaside area in Japan that you can access from Tokyo in a day.
In the morning, we departed the city,
heading towards Izu while enjoying the coastal scenery.
The landscape gradually changes.
Time flows slowly.
Just that alone allows you to feel a different side of Japan compared to Tokyo.
On this day,
we participated in a PADI Open Water Diver course as a family.
At first, they seemed a bit nervous, but
once they entered the water, smiles began to appear.
Seeing the same ocean,
watching the same fish,
and being moved by the same scenery.
Diving offers such special moments.
The waters of Higashi-Izu are a popular diving area for international guests as well.
The scenery changes with the seasons,
allowing you to enjoy schools of fish and
the serene blue underwater world.
"I can't believe there's such a sea near Tokyo."
It's not uncommon to hear such remarks from first-time international visitors.
Obtaining a diving license is
not just about getting a qualification.
It's about challenging yourself to enter a new world together.
It's about spending the same time in Japan's waters.
That experience itself will remain as a memory of the journey.
It's another side of Japan that you won't encounter just by visiting tourist spots.
That is the charm of "Dive Near Tokyo."
At Hokule'a Shonan,
we offer small-group beginner-friendly diving tours and license courses.
We can accommodate English speakers,
making it a great option for international travelers and foreigners living in Japan.
Why not spend a slightly special day during your trip to Tokyo?
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In Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, the sea is home to some of the largest schools of fish in Japan.🐟
It takes about 40 minutes by car from Hiratsuka, where Hokulea Shonan is located.
This popular boat diving area can even be visited on a day trip from Tokyo.🚗
On the way to the sea, you can enjoy a small cruise while taking in views of Enoshima and Mt. Fuji.🛳️
Once you arrive at the dive site and enter the water, you'll be greeted by an overwhelming number of red sea bream.
At first, it may look like the water is murky.
But as you get closer, you'll realize it's all a school of fish.
Countless small fish fill the water.
More and more schools of fish continue to appear.
It's a mysterious sight, as if the underwater world itself is alive.✨
The density of fish is astonishing, making it hard to believe you're underwater.
Divers who see this view for the first time often gasp in amazement.
There are still special seas near Tokyo that are not widely known.🇯🇵
This is another aspect of Japan that you won't encounter through tourism alone.
In the tranquil sea, you can feel the energy of nature all around you.
Hokulea Shonan offers small group diving tours centered around the Shonan and Izu areas.
They also provide beginner-friendly tours and English-speaking diving support.🌊
#Tokyo Area #Nature Experience #Day Trip #Local Travel #Japanese Scenery
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At the foot of Mount Fuji lies Lake Motosu. 🗻
Located in Yamanashi Prefecture at an elevation of about 900 meters, Lake Motosu is a rare freshwater diving spot in Japan.
The water in the lake is highly transparent, revealing a serene blue world. 💧
Underwater, you can see fantastical landscapes formed by the eruptions of Mount Fuji, volcanic ash accumulating on the lakebed, and large sunken trees.
In some places, spring water flowing from Mount Fuji emerges from the lakebed.
It offers a tranquility completely different from the sea.
This is a special underwater world connected to the history of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji.
Just a short distance from Tokyo, you can discover landscapes of Japan that you won't encounter through typical tourism. 🇯🇵
Hokulea Shonan offers small-group diving tours in lakes around Mount Fuji and the seas near Tokyo. 🌊
A tour of Lake Motosu is also scheduled for August 9-10, 2026.
Be sure to experience the tranquil blue world at the foot of Mount Fuji. ✨
#Near Tokyo #Nature Experience #Lake Diving #Day Trip #Local Travel #Japanese Scenery
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Happy New Year.
For Hokulea Shonan, this year is a year of “brush up.”
We believe the future lies in steadily building careful work.
We will further hone our skills and thinking,
and bravely take on new challenges.
We will not forget our gratitude to everyone who supports us,
and we will continue to grow while honoring the sea and nature.
We look forward to your continued support this year.
Hokulea Shonan
Representative Terushige Koike
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🌈Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Under the theme “Let’s set out for an unseen world!”,
we offer experiences that let you discover the wonder and joy of nature through diving.
We hold courses and tours year-round in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas.
With small group sizes, beginners can join with confidence.
We also respond flexibly to requests tailored to each person.
Now, let’s set off together for a new world.
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Enriched dive to the shipwreck 🚢
Hello 🫧 This is Hokulea Shonan.
Today we visited the shipwreck dive site in Atami 🚢
Large schools of fish gathered around the wreck,
and we were thrilled by the dramatic underwater scenery 🤩
This time we dived using enriched air (Nitrox).
Thanks to that, my body felt much better after the dive ☺️
Enriched air is a breathing gas with a higher oxygen concentration than normal air.
Because less nitrogen accumulates in the body,
it reduces the risk of decompression sickness and allows for safer dives 👍
Another big benefit is that you get less tired ✌️
Thank you to all the guests who joined us 😊
Diving as a family was truly lovely ✨
From now on,
let’s enjoy Atami’s shipwreck more comfortably with enriched air 🥳
🌈 At Hokulea Shonan,
you can also earn the Enriched Air Specialty (SP) certification 🙌
We also welcome requests for course dates!
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🏝️ Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
With the theme “Let’s travel to unseen worlds!”,
we share the wonder and joy of nature through diving.
We run lessons and tours more than 300 days a year in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas.
With small group sizes, beginners can join with confidence.
Request dives are also very welcome!
#Hokulea Shonan
#Enriched Air
#Nitrox
#Enriched Diving
#CoolJapanVideos
#HokuleaShonan
#NitroxDiving
#EnrichedAir
#OceanLovers
#ExploreTheBlue
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A place where you can meet sea turtles on a day trip✨
Hello! This is Hokulea Shonan 🤗
This time we went diving at Ose Cape, where you can dive with sea turtles on a day trip 🤿
Right now, among beach dives on the Izu Peninsula, Ose Cape has the highest chance of encountering sea turtles👏
Recently it also made headlines when two whales appeared during a dive!
On this dive we met a sea turtle on the first dive👏
No matter how many times you see them, the moment you meet one always gets you excited😄
On sunny days it feels great to relax in the shallow water✨
We also found nudibranchs that are popular with divers👍
Ose Cape was teeming with life and full of highlights 🥳
Thank you to everyone who joined us🙏
If you want to dive with sea turtles, be sure to head to Ose Cape🌟
We don’t know how long they’ll stay, so come soon〜!
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🌈Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
With the theme "Set out for a world you’ve never seen!",
we convey the beauty and joy of nature through diving.
We hold over 300 courses and tours a year in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas.
With small group sizes, beginners can participate with confidence.
Request dives are also very welcome!
#DiveJapan #ScubaDivingJapan #BeachDiving
#ExploreTheBlue #OceanLovers #HiddenJapan
#HokuleaShonan
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