Japan offers a diverse range of scuba diving destinations for certified divers, catering to various interests and skill levels. Here are some of the top locations:

Okinawa and Southern Islands

Okinawa Island This subtropical island is one of Japan’s most popular diving destinations, offering about 80 dive sites with warm waters, excellent visibility, and high marine biodiversity[2]. Certified divers can enjoy drift dives and encounters with various marine life.

Kerama Islands Located near Okinawa, these islands are known for exceptional visibility, warm water, and incredible marine biodiversity. With over 60 dive sites, they offer options for both Open Water and Advanced Open Water divers year-round[4].

Ishigaki Island Often considered the best diving location in Japan, Ishigaki is famous for its manta ray encounters. The island boasts numerous cleaning stations, with Manta Scramble in Kabira Bay being the most renowned site[4].

Yonaguni Island Known for its mysterious underwater ruins and hammerhead shark sightings, Yonaguni offers unique diving experiences for certified divers[4].

Mainland Japan and Nearby Islands

Izu Peninsula Located near Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula offers excellent shore diving opportunities on both its east and west coasts. Certified divers can explore caves, caverns, and tunnels while encountering diverse marine life, including hammerhead sharks in the Mikomoto area[4].

Chiba (Boso Peninsula) Easily accessible from Tokyo, Chiba’s Boso Peninsula is popular among divers. The area known as “Shark City” near Tateyama-Ito offers the chance to dive with sharks and stingrays[3][4].

Ogasawara Islands These remote islands, part of Tokyo prefecture, offer spectacular diving with vibrant coral formations and tropical fish[4].

Northern Japan

Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido For adventurous certified divers, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers unique ice diving experiences from January to March. Divers can explore the Sea of Okhotsk amidst drifting sea ice and encounter rare marine life like sea angels[4].

These destinations provide certified divers with a wide range of experiences, from tropical coral reefs to cold-water ecosystems, catering to various interests and skill levels. Each location offers its own unique underwater landscapes and marine life encounters, making Japan a diverse and exciting country for scuba diving enthusiasts.

Citations: [1] https://www.divingtokyo.com [2] https://divezone.net/diving/japan [3] https://www.outdoorjapan.com/activities/ocean-sports-beach-activities/scuba-diving-in-japan/japans-top-10-dives/ [4] https://www.thescubanews.com/2024/03/28/explore-the-best-places-to-go-diving-in-japan/ [5] https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2424_diving.html [6] https://www.jal.co.jp/de/en/guide-to-japan/vacation-packages/flights-and-hotel/diving/tokyo/3-best-diving-and-snorkel-day-trips/index.html [7] https://www.padi.com/dive-sites/japan/ [8] https://www.padi.com/diving-in/japan/