Shioya Beach
Shioya is where Japan's surf and ski cultures collide—a rivermouth break near Otaru that lights up with the same Siberian storms that dump legendary powder on Niseko and Hokkaido's ski resorts. The water temperature drops near freezing, requiring 5mm+ wetsuits with hoods, gloves, and boots, but the reward is empty, powerful waves with snow-covered beaches. A small but committed community of surfers brave these conditions, often combining morning surfs with afternoon powder runs.
Shioya Beach surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 340°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 9s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.4m
Water temp
8°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Near Sapporo. The same road to Niseko ski resorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Shioya Beach?
Shioya Beach is a beach break in Otaru, Japan, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Shioya Beach?
Shioya Beach picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 9s or longer, as anything under 6s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Shioya Beach?
An E wind is dead offshore at Shioya Beach, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Shioya Beach?
Shioya Beach is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Shioya Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Shioya Beach comes Dec to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Nov too. Winter only. Same storms that bring powder to ski resorts.
How cold is the water at Shioya Beach?
The water at Shioya Beach averages around 8°C, so you'll want a 6/5mm with boots, gloves and a hood. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Shioya Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Bitter cold. Water temp near freezing. 5mm+ wetsuit essential.
How do I get to Shioya Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is CTS, then it's roughly a 40-minute drive. Near Sapporo. The same road to Niseko ski resorts.
What other surf spots are near Shioya Beach?
Fun fact: it's the most northerly break we track in Japan.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Nov, Apr
Winter only. Same storms that bring powder to ski resorts.