The Surf Window

Uchinada

Ishikawa, Japan

Beach breakIntermediate

On the Noto Peninsula coast in Ishikawa Prefecture, Uchinada faces the Sea of Japan where winter storms generate powerful, cold swells, and the Japanese government famously attempted (and partially failed) to turn this stretch of coast into one long concrete sea wall before local resistance preserved sections of natural beach.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–W 1.5–3m at 10–14s

Wind

SE

Light to E under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Oct–Mar

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Multiple peaks along the beach

Length

60–120m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate to advanced
  • •Why: Cold Sea of Japan winter conditions with powerful storm swells

Hazards

  • •Cold water, 5–14°C
  • •Sea of Japan storms can bring dangerous conditions rapidly
  • •Sea wall infrastructure affects the natural beach in places

Local Tips

  • •Kanazawa (30 minutes south) is Japan's most perfectly preserved historic city, world-class culture and cuisine
  • •Kenroku-en garden in Kanazawa is one of Japan's three great gardens
  • •The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake significantly affected the region, check access conditions

Location

Map showing the location of Uchinada in Ishikawa, Japan

36.6334, 136.6342