Tsurigasaki Beach

## The spot Tsurigasaki Beach (also called Shida) hosted the 2020 Olympic surfing events and sits adjacent to Ichinomiya in Chiba Prefecture. The wave shares similar characteristics with its famous neighbour: east-facing beach breaks structured by jetties producing quality A-frame peaks. The Olympic venue designation has elevated its profile, though the wave quality has always been well-regarded by the Tokyo surfing community. ## When it works Summer typhoon season (July-October) produces the most powerful groundswells. Winter provides consistent smaller easterly swells. The wave works on 2-6ft of east to south-east swell. Westerly offshore winds provide clean conditions. The jetty structures concentrate and organise the swells into rideable peaks. ## Where to sit The jetties provide reference points and create structured sandbars. The best banks form on the south side of each structure where sand accumulates. Position in the rip channels alongside the jetties for easy paddle-out, then move onto the adjacent sandbar. Multiple sections along the beach offer different characteristics. ## Hazards Concrete jetties are hard structures. Strong rip currents run alongside them. Typhoon swells produce powerful, hollow conditions. Crowding is intense on weekends. Jellyfish in summer. ## Parking and access Paid car parks along the coast road. Full facilities. Train access from Tokyo (90 minutes). Surf shops and rental abundant. ## The crowd Highly crowded, especially weekends and during typhoon events. The Olympic legacy has increased interest. Weekday mornings offer the best ratios. The Japanese surf community is polite but numbers are high. ## Local tips Virtually identical to neighbouring Ichinomiya in terms of conditions and approach. The banks shift constantly. Local shops have the best intel on which section is working. Tuesday/Wednesday mornings are quietest. A 3/2mm wetsuit for winter, springsuit for summer. Standard performance shortboard covers most conditions.