Tanegashima

Japan's most consistent year-round surf destination. The 60km east coast faces open Pacific swell, with Tatesaki's iconic left point on the NW tip and a dozen beach breaks running south to Toi. Best on NE winter swell (Nov-Feb) and SE typhoon swell (Aug-Oct); the W-side spots fire on the rare W winter pulse. Water 19-28 °C, boardshorts late spring through fall, 3/2mm shoulder, 4/3mm occasional January cold snap. Access via 30-minute flight or 3-hour ferry from Kagoshima.