Cool-summer surf
Escape the heat. Surf Hokkaido's cool summer.
Tokyo averages about 31°C in August. Cape Erimo, Hokkaido, averages about 20°C. If you are looking for a cool summer destination in Japan, a Hokkaido surf trip gives you empty waves and an ocean breeze.
Summers in Japan keep getting hotter, and more travellers are heading north to escape the heat. Furano and Karuizawa are the famous retreats, but if you love the ocean, go to Hokkaido's Pacific coast. Cape Erimo sits where the Hidaka mountains drop into the sea, cooled by the cold Oyashio current all summer. Surf by day, sleep with the window open to the sound of the waves.
Compare
Summer in Tokyo vs summer at Cape Erimo.
- Average August high
- Tokyo About 31°C
- Cape Erimo About 20°C
- A summer day
- Tokyo Indoors with the air con on
- Cape Erimo Out on the water and the trails, cool nights for sleeping
- Summer water
- Tokyo —
- Cape Erimo 20–25°C (3/2 wetsuit)
- Waves
- Tokyo —
- Cape Erimo Mostly small and playful, typhoon swells from late summer
Air temperatures are JMA 1991–2020 normals for Tokyo and Erimo-misaki. Water temperatures are typical for the coast around EZO POINT.
Summer waves
Summer in Hokkaido is the friendliest season for beginner surfers.
The water warms to 20–25°C, comfortable in a 3/2 wetsuit. Most days are small and playful — ideal for a first surf trip or getting back in the water. From late August the first typhoon swells arrive from the south, and that is when experienced surfers should come.
To be honest, some summer days are flat. Those are the days for hiking Mt. Apoi, rock fishing or watching the seals at Cape Erimo. For seasons and wetsuits, see surfing at Cape Erimo; for every coast in north Japan, read the Hokkaido surf guide.
Itinerary
A 4-day cool-summer surf road trip on the Tokachi and Hidaka coast.
Day 1
Fly in, drive to the cool coast
Land at Tokachi-Obihiro Airport (OBO), about 2 hours by car, or New Chitose (CTS), about 3 hours. Follow the Tokachi and Hidaka coast to Cape Erimo and check the surf from the living room before dinner.
Day 2
A full day with a surf guide
Morning and afternoon sessions. Your guide picks the spot on the Hiroo, Erimo and Samani coast that suits the swell and your level. Complete beginners start with the basics.
Day 3
Mountains, seals and an evening surf
Morning yoga, then a hike in the Mt. Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark, 20 minutes away. Watch the wild seals at the tip of Cape Erimo, surf the evening glass, finish with a seafood BBQ.
Day 4
One last cool session
Dawn patrol before breakfast, then back to the airport — and the heat.
More to do on land in Adventures; directions from each airport in Access.
Prices
What a cool-summer surf trip costs.
- Rooms (4 tatami rooms)
- ¥4,500–¥9,000 per room per night
- Surf guide (full day, 2 sessions)
- ¥15,000 per person
- Wetsuit / dry suit rental
- ¥6,000 per day
- Surfboard / bodyboard rental
- ¥5,000–¥8,000 per day
- Seafood BBQ (3 hours, min 2)
- ¥4,000 per person
- Morning yoga with coffee
- ¥2,500 per person
See every room on the Stay page. With only four rooms, book summer dates early.
Cool-summer surf FAQ
Where can I escape the summer heat in Japan?
Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, is the classic cool summer destination. Its Pacific coast is cooler still: at Cape Erimo the average August high is around 20°C (JMA 1991–2020 normals), more than 10°C cooler than Tokyo's roughly 31°C. Bring a light fleece for foggy days.
Can you surf in Hokkaido in summer?
Yes. Summer has the warmest water of the year (around 20–25°C) and mostly small, playful waves, which makes it the friendliest season for beginners. Typhoon swells start arriving from the south in late August, opening the August to November prime season for experienced surfers.
What wetsuit do I need for summer surfing in Hokkaido?
A 3/2 full suit is right for summer. We rent wetsuits and dry suits in a full range of thicknesses, so you do not need to bring your own.
Is a Hokkaido summer surf trip good for beginners or solo travellers?
Yes. The summer waves are gentle and the guide picks a spot that matches your level on the day. Rent a wetsuit and a longboard or midlength, and we will cover the basics. Solo travellers are welcome.
How do I get to Cape Erimo from Tokyo?
Fly from Tokyo to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport (OBO) or New Chitose (CTS), then drive about 2 to 3 hours. You need a car to get around; airport pickup is available on request. See the Access page for details.
When should I book a summer surf trip to Hokkaido?
EZO POINT has only four rooms. If you want July to September, and especially Japanese school holidays, book as soon as your dates are set.
Guides
Plan your north Japan surf trip.
Spend this summer on Hokkaido's cool coast.
A four-room surf guesthouse right above the break at Cape Erimo, with surf guides, wetsuits and boards.