Explore Chubu

Diving in the Chubu region offers a unique blend of freshwater and riverine diving experiences that stand out against the backdrop of Japan's diverse underwater landscapes. Nestled between the Izu and Kii Peninsulas, Chubu is primarily known for its mountainous terrain. However, it surprises many with its distinct and thrilling dive spots like Lake Motosu and the Nagara River. Lake Motosu, Japan’s most popular freshwater diving destination, showcases intriguing underwater landscapes sculpted by ancient lava flows, providing a surreal experience for divers looking to explore something beyond the typical reef dives.

In the Nagara River, divers can encounter the rare and exhilarating experience of drift diving. The river is home to a vibrant array of aquatic life, including yellow-spotted band fish, black bass, small catfish, turtles, and shrimp. The star attraction, however, is the Japanese giant salamander, the world’s largest amphibian, which makes for an unforgettable sight. These dive sites offer a refreshing perspective for those accustomed to oceanic dives, allowing divers to explore the unique freshwater ecosystems and riverine environments that Chubu has to offer.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

ダイビングサービス熱海

Dry Suit Diving

15 Nov 2025

Drysuit diving opens up a world of opportunities, including diving remote Arctic destinations and exploring cold-water dive sites teeming with life. Dry suit diving also keeps you warm on multi-dive days when you do not want to spend your time getting in and out of a cold wetsuit. The SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty program is the best way to become a dry suit diver and teaches you all the knowledge and techniques you need to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit. You will learn how to use specialized equipment, like dry suits and BCs, the benefits of dry suits and how to deal with dry suit emergencies – which are unique to this type of diving. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

オハナ　ウィズ

Open Water Diver

22 Nov 2025 + 2 more

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Diving Service mieux

Advanced Open Water Diver

27 Dec 2025

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Diving Service mieux

Open Water Diver

10 Jan 2026 + 4 more

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

DiveNetworks

Open Water Diver

15 Jan 2026

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

DiveNetworks

Advanced Adventurer

17 Jan 2026

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Adventurer program! With this program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Adventurer Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. With this trial program in specialty diving, you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full specialty programs any time in the future and credit your Advanced Adventurer training towards them.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Motosuko Lake

Lake Motosu is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and is the deepest of the five with a maximum water depth of 122 meters. The altitude is about 900 meters, and the diving is done using altitude diving procedures. It is the most popular freshwater diving spot in Kanto.

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47
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koganezaki

Located in Koganezaki Park, you can enjoy various flowers depending on the season, and entry/exit is very easy to do due to the ramps and handrails. When you enter, you’ll see a wide range of gorotas up to a few meters deep, and beyond that, you’ll see an entire surface of the sand.

2,120
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14.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
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★★★★☆ Tago

There are six boat points in the open sea and four in the bay at Tago. There is also one beach. At the point in the bay, there is a clump of Green Turtle Coral that looks like Okinawa, and much tropical small fish can be seen around it.

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Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Izu Oceanic Park

Izu Oceanic Park is the most popular dive site in Higashi-Izu. The facilities are good and there is a pool. In the summer, the area is crowded with beachgoers and ordinary people who use the pool.

1,199
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306
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

☆☆☆☆☆ Namerikawa

This site is beach entry only. Enter from the gravel beach, and as you descended, the Gorota stones spread out. Once off the coast, it becomes a sandy area, which has several man-made towers of sorts. The water near the entry is shallow but gradually deepens as you go offshore to a depth of over 40 meters.

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Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Atami

This is a historic dive site that represents Higashi-Izu. It can be accessed from the Tokyo area in about 2 hours, and it is also possible to take a day trip, making it a popular spot, especially among Kanto divers.

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202
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Futou

Futou is the scenic point of Nishi-Izu. This site can be reach via beach entry or boat entry. There is a small area where you can go night diving all year round. There are caves, caverns, and arches as you progress through the shallow beach sand to the rocky terrain.

225
Logs
103
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Osezaki Beach

Osezaki is one of the most famous dives sites in Japan. It is a cape that juts out into Suruga Bay and done as a beach dive. There are two dive options, one on the bayside of the cape and the other on the open seaside, both of which are shallow rocky areas when you descend and sandy areas when you go offshore.

2,634
Logs
368
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Nagaragawa River

This is one of Japan’s three major clear streams and has a high level of clarity. The water depth is often 3-6 meters, but in some places it can be over 10 meters in depth.

3
Logs
2
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Futo Yokobama

A popular spot representing East Izu, close to the IOP. There are two main beach points and a lot of boat diving. There are ramps and handrails on the beach for easy entry/exit. The sea conditions are often calm and can be enjoyed by beginners.

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Logs
187
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Ita

Ida in Numazu City, Shizuoka, is a top beach dive site in Nishi Izu, famed for its clear “Ida Blue“ waters. Its gentle rocky slope suits all levels, with rich marine life and good tidal flow. Ideal for both macro and wide-angle photography, it’s a favorite among divers year-round.

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152
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Hatsushima Island

It is the only inhabited remote island in Shizuoka Prefecture, about 10 km off the coast of Atami, which can be reached in 30 minutes by ferry. After crossing the island, you can go beach diving or boat diving.

532
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153
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Mitate Wreck

Sado Island is the second largest island in terms of area after the main island of Okinawa, and can be reached by ferry from Niigata Port in about 2.5 hours or by jetfoil in about 1 hour. In the summer, the sea is very calm and clear, and the water temperature is high, making it very popular with divers.

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Logs
24
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Budaine

There are a number of diving spots around Kamikimoto Island, an uninhabited island off the coast of Shimoda. It is a 20-minute boat ride from the harbor to the dive site. It is a popular spot for hammerhead sharks to appear from summer to autumn when the Kuroshio Current approaches the Izu Peninsula.

705
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193
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kumomi Ushitsuki Rock

This is the most popular cave diving spot in Izu. There are many caves and covern between and around two large rocks called Ushitsukiiwa in front of the harbor.

776
Logs
207
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Chubu

The Chubu region of Japan offers a captivating range of dive sites that attract enthusiasts from around the globe. Notable for its stunning wreck dives, the area is home to several submerged relics that tell tales of the past. Among them, the sunken ships of Mikawa Bay serve as an intriguing underwater museum, perfect for history buffs and adventurous spirits alike.

For those preferring the convenience of shore dives, the Izu Peninsula presents numerous accessible spots with vibrant marine life. Its crystal-clear waters are ideal for witnessing unique behaviors such as spawning events. Night diving is also popular, allowing divers to observe nocturnal creatures in action. While Chubu offers ample shore diving opportunities, liveaboard options provide a balanced experience, catering to those seeking to explore more remote sites with ease and comfort.

The best Months to dive in Chubu

Chubu, Japan, offers diverse diving conditions year-round, with seasonal variations influencing the experience. Water temperatures range from 10°C/50°F in winter to 27°C/81°F in summer, impacting both marine life and diver comfort. Visibility typically spans 10 to 30 meters/33 to 98 feet, generally improving in winter due to reduced plankton activity.

Diving is possible throughout the year, though spring and fall are particularly favorable, offering mild temperatures and calm seas. Summer may bring typhoons, causing strong winds and currents, while winter's colder waters and rougher seas can deter some divers. Planning around these factors ensures a rewarding diving experience in Chubu.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

ダイビングサービス熱海

静岡県熱海市和田浜南町9-24, 413-0023 Atami-shi, Shizuoka - JPN

ダイブヒーリング

伊東市八幡野1186-38-1F, 4130232 ITO, Shizuoka - JPN

ＳＨＡＲＫ　ＥＹＥ

伊東市十足620-50, 4140052 Ito, Shizuoka - JPN

オハナ　ウィズ

庄栄町10-5, 4100047 Numazu, Shizuoka - JPN

Divingshop Quartret

静岡県伊東市岡16-3, 4140055 Ito, Shizuoka - JPN

岐阜ダイビングセンター

岐阜県岐阜市鏡島1933-4, 5010111 Gifu, Gifu - JPN

ザ ウインド ドロップス

伊豆山216, 4130002 Atamai, Shizuoka - JPN

Toi Diving Service

土肥2915-1, 410-3302 Izu, Shizuoka - JPN

ITA DIVING CENTER

静岡県沼津市井田207, 4103401 Numazu, Shizuoka - JPN

小木ダイビングセンター

新潟県佐渡市琴浦225-2, 952060 Sado-shi, Niigata - JPN

Diving Service Kawanabiyori

静岡県伊東市川奈673-5, 4140044 Ito, Shizuoka - JPN

Kistyダイビングサービス可児店

岐阜県可児市土田5033-1　フレンズハイツ102, 509-0206 Kani-shi, Gifu - JPN

赤沢ダイビングセンター

赤沢1-2, 4130233 ITO, Shizuoka - JPN

ワイラニ スキューバダイビングショップ

静岡県伊東市富戸1273-59, 413-0231 Ito, Shizuoka - JPN

DiveNetworks

内浦三津122-58, 4100223 沼津市, Shizuoka - JPN

ダイビングスクール ジェイズヘブン

静岡県伊東市富戸140-1, 413-0231 Ito-shi, Shizuoka - JPN

Diving Service mieux

FUTO577-1, 4130231 ITO, Shizuoka - JPN

IZUMI DIVING RESORT

静岡県伊東市富戸354-1, 4130231 Ito, Shizuoka - JPN

ダイビングスクール・オーシャン

富山県高岡市伏木国分1-1-48　2F, 933-0101 Takaoka-shi, Toyama - JPN

城ヶ崎インディーズ

伊東市富戸796-2, 4130231 Ito, Shizuoka - JPN