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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Enjoying a day in Shizura, Nishi-Izu with guests from Sweden
Nishi-Izu, easily accessible for a day trip from the Tokyo area.
On this day, we headed to Shizura in Nishi-Izu with guests visiting from Sweden.
Shizura is a quiet diving spot with calm seas.
Away from the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions, a relaxed atmosphere typical of Japan's seaside flows here.
Mixing English and Japanese by the sea
The conversations of the day were a mix of English and Japanese.
If there were words we didn't understand, we communicated in different ways or used gestures.
Even if we didn't fully understand each other, entering the sea together and sharing the same scenery naturally brought us closer.
Diving is not just about enjoying the ocean.
It's also a time that connects people beyond nationalities and language differences.
Lunch at a local spot after the sea
After diving, we enjoyed lunch together at a local restaurant.
Reflecting on the time spent in the sea, we gathered around the same table.
Diving into Japan's waters, dining at a local place, and spending leisurely time in a seaside town.
It's a local day that's a bit different from a typical trip to famous tourist spots.
Thank you for joining us.
A special day by the sea in Japan.
🌈 Hokulea Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
About an hour by train from Tokyo.
We guide you to Japan's seas, such as Shonan and Izu, perfect for a day trip from Tokyo.
The theme is "Let's embark on a journey to an unseen world!"
Through diving, we hope you can feel the beauty of Japan's seas, the richness of nature, and the local seaside experience.
Tours are conducted in small groups.
Beginners and those who are not confident swimmers can participate with peace of mind.
We also provide guidance in English.
Would you like to spend a day by the sea during your trip to Japan?
Based on your travel schedule and diving experience, we'll propose the perfect sea for you.
Feel free to contact us first.
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🌊 A Day to Become a Diver in the Sea of Japan
Leaving the bustling streets of Tokyo, we head to Nishi-Izu.
This time, we visit Shizura, where a quiet sea stretches out.
The sky was cloudy, but the temperature was pleasant for spending time by the sea. As we gazed at the calm waters, our first steps toward becoming divers began.
This time, the participants are all aiming to obtain their diving licenses for the first time.
🤿 Preparation Before Entering the Water
Diving starts before entering the water.
First, we prepare equipment like tanks and regulators.
Listening to the instructor's explanations, we assemble each piece with our own hands.
At first, the unfamiliar equipment feels daunting.
However, after practicing several times while checking the order, we gradually start to understand how it works.
Once preparations are complete, we have a briefing in front of the sea.
We all review what we will do underwater, the conditions of the sea that day, and points for safe enjoyment.
🫧 The World Underwater, Breathing for the First Time
With our gear on, we finally head into the sea.
First, we adjust our breathing at the surface. Feeling a bit nervous with the unfamiliar equipment, we slowly make our way into the water.
Once submerged, the surrounding sounds become quiet.
Fish swim right in front of us, and the seabed is spread with rocks and sand. It's a completely different view from the land.
Initially focused on breathing and posture, as we get more comfortable, we find ourselves enjoying the underwater scenery.
When everyone returns to the surface, smiles have replaced the nervous expressions.
🌏 Over Three Days, an Entrance to a New World
In the PADI Open Water Diver Course, we learn the necessary knowledge and skills for diving over three days.
Breathing underwater, using equipment, and the basics of diving safely.
Each experience builds upon the last, and everyone successfully obtained their licenses.
Obtaining the license is not the goal.
It's a new start to enjoy the seas of Japan and around the world.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
🇯🇵 The Seas of Japan Are Recommended in Autumn Too
When thinking about the season to enjoy the sea in Japan, many might picture summer.
In fact, the sea in Izu is most comfortable around September to October.
The water temperature is high, making it an easy season to enjoy diving.
If you obtain your license during summer, you can fully enjoy the sea during the best season.
There's another side of Japan that you won't encounter just by sightseeing in Tokyo or Yokohama.
Why not take a step into a new world during your travels?
Time spent underwater will surely become a special memory of your journey.
✨ A Special Day by the Sea in Japan.
🌈 Hokulea Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
About an hour by train from Tokyo.
We guide you to the seas of Japan that can be enjoyed as day trips from Tokyo, such as Shonan and Izu.
Our theme is "Let's embark on a journey to the unseen world!"
Through diving, we hope you can feel the beauty of Japan's seas, the richness of nature, and the local seaside experience.
Our tours are small in size.
Beginners and those who are not confident in swimming can participate with peace of mind.
We also provide guidance in English.
Would you like to spend a day by the sea during your trip to Japan?
We will suggest a sea that suits you according to your travel schedule and diving experience.
Please feel free to contact us.
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First-time boat diving.
Experience the sea of Nishi-Izu on a day trip from Tokyo.
About a 3-hour drive from Tokyo.
In Tago, Nishi-Izu, there is a port town where time flows leisurely.
On this day, I went for my first boat dive during the AOW course.
The sea was very calm.
It was the perfect condition for a first boat dive.
At first, I struggled a bit with equalizing my ears, but by the second dive, I was able to do it calmly.
I could gradually do more things.
That's one of the joys of diving.
In Tago, there are many dive sites that can only be accessed by boat.
This time, we headed to one of them, the entrance of a cave.
A rocky space opened up in the blue sea.
At the entrance, a school of hatanpo fish gathered, creating a fantastical underwater scene.
This time, just a little.
Next time, let's explore deeper into the cave.
At the end of the diving session, I successfully became an AOW diver.
Congratulations!
The next destination is Okinawa.
Japan still has many different expressions of the sea waiting for you.
As summer arrives, the water temperature is rising.
The sea that can be enjoyed on a day trip from Tokyo is also entering its best season.
Not just famous tourist spots, but the seas of Japan.
Hokule'a Shonan offers small group diving tours tailored to each individual.
Would you like to spend a special day by the sea in Japan?
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A special day by the sea in Japan.
🌈 Hokule'a Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
About an hour by train from Tokyo.
We guide you to the seas of Japan that can be enjoyed on a day trip from Tokyo, such as Shonan and Izu.
The theme is, "Let's embark on a journey to the unseen world!"
I hope you can feel the beauty of Japan's seas, the richness of nature, and the local coastal time through diving.
The tours are small group-based.
Beginners and those who are not confident in swimming can participate with peace of mind.
We also offer support in English.
Would you like to spend a day by the sea during your trip to Japan?
We will suggest a sea that suits you based on your travel schedule and diving experience.
Please feel free to contact us.
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About an hour from Tokyo.
In the sea, there is an unknown Japan.
Manatsuru, which can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama.
This small port town has
special views known only to divers.
This time, we visited "Iwa."
It’s about a 40-minute drive from Hiratsuka.
A convenient boat diving spot.
It takes just a few minutes to reach the sea by boat.
Once you enter the water,
colorful soft corals spread out before you.
Schools of fish swim slowly through the calm sea.
The highlight of this place is
the large iron frame reef sunk to the seabed.
Originally used as scaffolding for bridge construction,
it has now become a habitat for marine creatures
and a popular spot for divers.
Swimming between the massive structures feels like exploring underwater ruins.
Soft corals sway above,
and light filters through.
Lionfish swim slowly,
while small fish dart around them.
The creatures you encounter change with the seasons.
In summer, you see schools of fish.
In winter, vibrant sea slugs.
Throughout the year,
you can enjoy different scenery with each visit.
After diving,
enjoying a leisurely lunch in Manatsuru or Shonan is also recommended.
Just a little stretch from the city,
a day like this awaits you.
Japan's seas hold
many undiscovered charms.
On your next trip,
why not visit the underwater Japan?
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A special view of the sea in Japan that appears only in summer.
In Higashi-Izu, Kawana, there is a special diving spot that can only be accessed during the summer.
Its name is "Ubako Coral."
Just three minutes from the port.
The time spent heading out to sea on a small boat is also part of the joy of the journey.
Once you enter the water,
schools of fish greet you.
Fish swimming around the reef transform the ocean view in every direction.
Vibrant soft corals spread out, allowing you to not only watch the fish but also to slowly enjoy Japan's rich sea.
Ubako Coral is available only until the end of August each year.
It is a special view of the sea in Japan that you can encounter only in summer.
There are still lesser-known seas in Japan.
Why not encounter such views on your next trip?
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Meeting the sea, a special day spent at the Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival in Shonan, Japan 🎐
About an hour by train from Tokyo.
In Hiratsuka, located in Kanagawa Prefecture's Shonan area, the entire town is adorned with vibrant Tanabata decorations every summer.
The "Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival."
Known as one of Japan's three major Tanabata festivals, it is a summer tradition.
Giant Tanabata decorations fill the streets.
People in yukata.
The summer town transitioning from dusk to night.
A nostalgic atmosphere flows, reminiscent of a scene from a movie.
However, Hiratsuka's charm isn't just about the festival.
Close by, there is a beautiful sea.
A crystal-clear blue ocean that feels far removed from the Tokyo suburbs.
Colorful fish.
Soft corals gently swaying.
In the morning, dive into the world of the sea.
And from the evening, immerse yourself in a Japanese summer festival.
This is the allure of the Shonan area, where you can spend such a special day.
Diving is not just about entering the water.
It’s about feeling the local atmosphere, walking through the town, meeting people, and experiencing the seasons of Japan.
The time that follows the sea becomes an important memory of the journey.
This year's "Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival" is scheduled to be held from July 3rd to 5th.
Discover another side of Japan that you won't find just by sightseeing in Tokyo.
Feel the Japanese summer that spreads beyond the sea.
🌈Hokule'a Shonan offers small-group diving tours in the ocean near Tokyo.
Beginners and solo participants are welcome.
English support is also available.
We hope you enjoy not just the sea, but a special day spent in Japan.
【Related Keywords】
Diving near Tokyo / Kanagawa Diving / Shonan Diving / Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival / Tokyo Day Trip / Hidden Japan / Dive Near Tokyo / Japan Summer Festival / Japanese Ocean Experience / Tokyo Day Trip
Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Photo provided by the Hiratsuka City Tourism Association.
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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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