From Shimonoseki city drive north along route 191 for approx 1 hour. This is a coastal road and the drive itself is quite nice esp. at sunset as the road goes N-S and gives spectacular views west of the Japan sea. Look for a sign to Nishi nagato and Tsunoshima Island. Take this left turn onto route 275 and eventually this smaller road will take you past some other popular bathing beaches (Doigahama and nishi nagato resort hotel).
You'll go up a steep hill and see a large bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Cross the bridge (island road is route 276). (NOTE: On typhoon or large storm days when the island points are closed out you'll see surfers grabbing some fun waves below the bridge by the pillars - get in there too! this spot is known as Nishi nagato. Access is via a left turn about 150m before the bridge)
Follow the island road for about 1km until you come to a large tourist car park and gift centre on the left opposite the break. Parking is either in the big car park or on some grass near the beach (on the right of the road).
There is a surf shop with friendly staff next to the tourist centre to its left for wax etc. It is called West Side. These are my friends and taught me how to surf so don't act like an arsehole please!
You'll need to do some research on understanding which kanji to look for as some of the photos are of other beaches in yamaguchi or miyazaki.
Use the rip by the large rocks in the centre of the beach to paddle outside quickly. Surf only on the right of the large rock (unless you are either Kelly Slater or need a reason to buy a new board!) many submerged razor sharp volcanic rocks dot the break to the left of the big rock. At low tide there is a small rock on the inside which can pose a threat on longer rides on regular waves.
Summer is FLAT unless typhoon swell generates in the Japan sea. Waves here can sometimes reach overhead on good storms.
Overview
Atmosphere
Crystal clear water and white sand beaches are some of the BEST in Japan I think. Great for swimming/snorkel. WARNING - summer makes this beach VERY popular with beach goers and it gets PACKED. Cars will jam the roads for km so get here early (no joke). Worth going for swimming/snorkel (esp around the big rock which you can easily swim out to) and to check out the HOT japanese Uni girls in bikinis who flock here for days out. Some of the most beautiful girls in Japan are here in summer! (no joke)
Super cool locals who are friendly and enthusiastic to foreigners.
