Kyushu
Diving in Kyushu is full of amazing marine life.
Explore Japan
Diving in Japan offers a unique underwater adventure, combining vibrant marine life with diverse environments. The Japanese archipelago stretches over thousands of kilometers, creating a plethora of dive sites, each with its own distinct charm. From the icy waters of Hokkaido, where you might encounter sea lions and even drift ice diving, to the tropical seas surrounding Okinawa, teeming with colorful coral reefs and majestic manta rays, Japan provides a spectrum of experiences for divers. Japan's underwater landscapes are as varied as its culture. Divers can explore dramatic walls, mysterious wrecks, and rich kelp forests. The Izu Peninsula, just a short trip from Tokyo, is known for its accessible shore dives where you can find a wide array of marine species. Meanwhile, the Ogasawara Islands, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer pristine dive conditions with an abundance of pelagic life. Seasonal changes bring unique opportunities, like the chance to see hammerhead sharks in Yonaguni or the breathtaking coral blooms in summer. Whether you're on a liveaboard expedition exploring the remote Nansei Islands or a leisurely shore dive near a bustling city, the blend of natural beauty and cultural richness makes diving in Japan a truly special experience.
Power Plug Type
A, B
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, JCB, DC, Cir, Plus
Tipping
No tipping / Service Staff / Tipping is not customary and may even be considered impolite; exceptional service is reflected in the price.
Currency
JPY
Dial Code
+81
Electricity
100V / 50-60Hz
Time
UTC+9 (JST)
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in Japan
Japan's marine life is diverse, offering vibrant experiences for divers. Common reef fish include angelfish and butterflyfish, often spotted in Okinawa’s coral reefs. These reefs are a haven for colorful marine inhabitants, making them a must-visit for underwater enthusiasts.
Seasonally, Japan's waters host a variety of larger marine creatures. Between April and September, divers might encounter whale sharks around the Ogasawara Islands. Meanwhile, green sea turtles are prevalent from May to October, particularly in waters near the Kerama Islands. Rays can also be seen year-round, with manta ray sightings peaking around Ishigaki Island from summer to early autumn. Each location offers distinct opportunities to witness these magnificent species, maximizing the chances of remarkable marine encounters.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
1.8k Sightings
J
68
F
55
M
133
A
118
M
155
J
149
J
222
A
280
S
237
O
180
N
100
D
104
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
1.4k Sightings
J
47
F
56
M
103
A
119
M
109
J
107
J
148
A
183
S
212
O
177
N
66
D
54
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
1.3k Sightings
J
48
F
32
M
68
A
59
M
76
J
70
J
249
A
245
S
152
O
131
N
72
D
68
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
522 Sightings
J
7
F
13
M
77
A
58
M
47
J
30
J
47
A
54
S
82
O
52
N
44
D
11
Alamy-Christian Zappel
Scalloped Hammerhead
409 Sightings
J
23
F
41
M
22
A
8
M
2
J
39
J
100
A
64
S
60
O
37
N
6
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
367 Sightings
J
13
F
10
M
26
A
16
M
37
J
19
J
85
A
75
S
27
O
9
N
24
D
26
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
239 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
10
A
41
M
21
J
12
J
34
A
30
S
28
O
31
N
16
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
127 Sightings
J
7
F
9
M
9
A
12
M
16
J
9
J
7
A
7
S
18
O
9
N
10
D
14
iStock/Extreme Photographer
Whale Shark
118 Sightings
J
16
F
4
M
15
A
13
M
9
J
14
J
8
A
10
S
5
O
12
N
5
D
7
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
114 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
11
A
11
M
17
J
5
J
11
A
15
S
10
O
10
N
11
D
4
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 350
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
2.1k Sightings
J
98
F
59
M
95
A
111
M
130
J
119
J
308
A
328
S
300
O
283
N
161
D
123
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
2k Sightings
J
59
F
56
M
136
A
184
M
187
J
147
J
205
A
219
S
244
O
279
N
151
D
98
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
1.4k Sightings
J
66
F
37
M
91
A
119
M
114
J
111
J
134
A
165
S
209
O
216
N
95
D
92
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
1.3k Sightings
J
66
F
42
M
72
A
73
M
90
J
96
J
134
A
153
S
194
O
205
N
97
D
95
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
1.2k Sightings
J
44
F
59
M
58
A
70
M
122
J
70
J
149
A
164
S
155
O
147
N
44
D
106
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
1.1k Sightings
J
51
F
29
M
83
A
78
M
105
J
70
J
102
A
140
S
150
O
173
N
96
D
45
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
1.1k Sightings
J
69
F
48
M
116
A
131
M
119
J
76
J
114
A
99
S
100
O
68
N
54
D
81
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
928 Sightings
J
38
F
25
M
47
A
34
M
69
J
57
J
147
A
189
S
112
O
117
N
46
D
47
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
917 Sightings
J
29
F
30
M
62
A
77
M
105
J
84
J
79
A
78
S
123
O
121
N
72
D
57
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 85
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
912 Sightings
J
42
F
24
M
47
A
71
M
66
J
76
J
86
A
113
S
134
O
126
N
58
D
69
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
793 Sightings
J
28
F
30
M
46
A
67
M
66
J
47
J
46
A
88
S
148
O
116
N
74
D
37
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 150
Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts
778 Sightings
J
30
F
16
M
41
A
45
M
45
J
36
J
75
A
152
S
133
O
127
N
45
D
33
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish
732 Sightings
J
7
F
18
M
8
A
25
M
23
J
40
J
188
A
186
S
126
O
86
N
15
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish
717 Sightings
J
35
F
28
M
50
A
42
M
66
J
35
J
78
A
103
S
98
O
89
N
28
D
65
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish
686 Sightings
J
38
F
10
M
47
A
39
M
41
J
31
J
61
A
108
S
104
O
103
N
43
D
61
AdobeStock-Richard Carey
Banded Sea Krait
510 Sightings
J
15
F
17
M
53
A
60
M
75
J
25
J
55
A
41
S
43
O
62
N
38
D
26
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
510 Sightings
J
14
F
14
M
25
A
41
M
73
J
19
J
43
A
73
S
65
O
71
N
38
D
34
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 50
istock-atese
Frogfish
464 Sightings
J
41
F
24
M
34
A
21
M
33
J
28
J
54
A
45
S
55
O
33
N
18
D
78
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
463 Sightings
J
20
F
16
M
37
A
30
M
50
J
25
J
91
A
29
S
55
O
66
N
19
D
25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3400
Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp
435 Sightings
J
24
F
8
M
30
A
11
M
49
J
30
J
63
A
40
S
57
O
51
N
36
D
36
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
426 Sightings
J
14
F
16
M
14
A
31
M
35
J
29
J
22
A
41
S
87
O
81
N
35
D
21
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Shutterstock_DiveIvanov
Squid
399 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
16
A
17
M
77
J
51
J
44
A
86
S
43
O
24
N
13
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
372 Sightings
J
16
F
9
M
18
A
33
M
27
J
76
J
41
A
41
S
60
O
21
N
17
D
13
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3
Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
Cornetfish
366 Sightings
J
28
F
19
M
18
A
16
M
20
J
12
J
19
A
58
S
67
O
60
N
17
D
32
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
319 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
9
A
25
M
29
J
19
J
27
A
27
S
56
O
60
N
34
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish
300 Sightings
J
3
F
7
M
31
A
29
M
37
J
29
J
25
A
42
S
46
O
17
N
22
D
12
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
272 Sightings
J
10
F
7
M
18
A
27
M
27
J
42
J
25
A
31
S
29
O
23
N
27
D
6
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 7000
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab
222 Sightings
J
9
F
6
M
17
A
18
M
20
J
19
J
38
A
26
S
15
O
28
N
17
D
9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 30
Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel
200 Sightings
J
29
F
6
M
5
A
16
M
10
J
6
J
16
A
38
S
19
O
25
N
19
D
11
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse
175 Sightings
J
15
F
2
M
5
A
5
M
8
J
24
J
43
A
32
S
22
O
4
N
14
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 120
AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder
163 Sightings
J
5
F
7
M
13
A
9
M
12
J
7
J
47
A
27
S
6
O
10
N
12
D
8
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 20
iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish
153 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
10
A
12
M
8
J
11
J
11
A
15
S
52
O
14
N
13
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 120
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish
151 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
25
A
25
M
38
J
11
J
9
A
10
S
7
O
10
N
5
D
6
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 26
iStock-Martin Voeller
Angel Shark
142 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
16
A
5
M
8
J
17
J
17
A
18
S
9
O
10
N
7
D
21
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock-bearacreative
Emperor
135 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
7
A
14
M
9
J
12
J
10
A
13
S
20
O
31
N
7
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
iStock-Christian von Mach
Pipefish
132 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
4
A
9
M
27
J
6
J
12
A
14
S
15
O
14
N
13
D
12
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish
127 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
5
A
9
M
13
J
6
J
11
A
22
S
25
O
18
N
10
D
3
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 15
Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish
110 Sightings
J
3
F
6
M
4
A
1
M
13
J
5
J
13
A
17
S
21
O
16
N
5
D
6