Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Shonan. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Rideable waves with moderate energy. Strong offshore, clean but tough to paddle into.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Shonan is a highly populated, expansive beach break area situated along Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The underlying bathymetry consists of dark, volcanic silica sandbanks that are heavily influenced by river outflows and coastal groynes. Because the bay faces south, it is highly receptive to southerly groundswells generated by passing summer typhoons and winter storm systems. A northerly wind blowing off the land provides the necessary offshore flow to groom the wave faces and prevent disorganised chop. The wave mechanics typically produce soft, spilling A-frame peaks that break slowly, offering forgiving lefts and rights. This gradual energy dissipation makes it highly conducive to fundamental board control, pop-up practice, and longboarding. Because the energy is spread across a long stretch of coastline, the impact zone is manageable despite the heavy urban crowding. Due to the moderate wave velocity and the lack of severe hydraulic force under standard conditions, Shonan acts as the primary training ground for Tokyo. It is universally classified as an ideal, low-risk venue for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Heads up: thunderstorms forecast, and jellyfish: peak season.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
Air quality is currently 121% worse than the average comparison city.
Air quality is currently worse than a typical city. Consider shorter outdoor sessions.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 09:12
Moderate water clarity: ~5m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Shonan
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Shonan is the week of 16 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Shonan is Japan's most accessible surf area, a stretch of beach breaks along Sagami Bay south of Tokyo. The beaches face south and produce small, consistent waves from Pacific swells and typhoon energy. Enoshima Island sits offshore. It is Japan's original surf culture hub, where the sport first took root in the 1960s. Urban, busy, but consistently rideable.
The best waves come from typhoon swells (August-October) and Pacific low-pressure systems. A northerly wind is offshore. Works on all tides. Small wind swell produces waist-high waves year-round. The 2-4ft range is common; overhead days from typhoons are exceptional events.
Kugenuma, Tsujido, and Chigasaki are the main beaches. Multiple peaks along the urban coastline. The area around Kugenuma tends to have the best-formed banks. Choose based on crowd and sand conditions.
Crowded. Small waves that lack real power. Some rocks and tetrapod structures along the coast. Swimmers and other ocean users in summer. Generally very safe.
Train from Tokyo (60-90 minutes). Pay parking along the coast road. Direct beach access. Full urban facilities.
Extremely crowded. Tokyo's enormous population uses Shonan as its primary surf escape. Good days see 50-100+ people. Weekday mornings are best. The competitive pressure on small waves can be frustrating.
Shonan is Japan's surf culture centre despite the small waves. The atmosphere, the community, and the post-surf food (ramen, sushi) make it worthwhile. Typhoon swells transform the area; be ready to move fast when they arrive. Kamakura (nearby) has world-famous temples and shrines for flat days. The sunrise sessions are magical with Mount Fuji visible on clear days.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Shonan tend to be best between 05:00 to 08:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 54/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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