The Surf Window

Tsuruoka

Yamagata, Japan

Beach breakIntermediate

In Yamagata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, Tsuruoka is a historic castle town where winter northwest swells create beach break on Yunotama and Atsumi beaches, gateway to the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains and Japan's most distinctive surf and spirituality combination.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–W 1.5–2.5m at 10–14s

Wind

SE

Light to E under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Nov–Mar

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Multiple peaks along the bay

Length

60–120m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate surfers
  • •Why: Consistent Sea of Japan winter swell in cold water

Hazards

  • •Cold water, 4–12°C
  • •Sea of Japan winter storms
  • •Heavy snowfall can affect access roads

Local Tips

  • •The Dewa Sanzan (three sacred mountains) above Tsuruoka are extraordinary for mountain hiking in summer
  • •Yamadera (a temple built into a cliff face) is one of Japan's most dramatic spiritual sites
  • •The Shonai plain produces some of Japan's finest rice, eat extraordinary things here

Location

Map showing the location of Tsuruoka in Yamagata, Japan

38.7272, 139.8266