All images by Adam Serra Sanfelin
A surf mission to the Land of the Rising Sun may feel like a far-flung possibility. But there’s so much good around the shores of Japan, that it may just be worth considering.
Got to ask yourself though, what’s the point in spending the time, energy and effort getting to the other side of world when you could go to Aus, Indo, Maldives, or any other tropical destination. The answer’s the same as any surf trip – what are you really looking for?
Welcome to Japan.
There’s a huge surf demographic who swan out to those well-known waters, but to step a bit more into the unknown is an interesting travel experience. And you get the privilege of scoring something a little bit out there.
Adam Serra Sanfelin has been living in Japan for the past 16-years, having come over from Western Australia. He’s since made it his mission to capture the Japanese surf and lifestyle, centred around the prefecture of Miyazaki, which is on the island of Kyushu.
“I originally came to work here with a surf brand, and kind of just fell into taking photos of what we were doing,” Adam said. “Being a surfer definitely helps with being a photographer — I think when you’ve been in those situations, you understand what looks good or what’s going to happen, how the wave moves, and what kind situation the surfer is actually in at that moment, heavy or light.”
The dichotomy of craft. Miyazaki’s got a few different moods.
If you are planning a visit, Adam recommends to get out of the cities. “Tokyo and Osaka are awesome, but the countryside is where it’s at,” he said. “People are incredibly welcoming — you’ll get greeted with a ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon’ everywhere you go. Leave your board or wetsuit on the beach by accident? Chances are it’ll still be there the next day. It’s that kind of place.
“There are loads of free campgrounds, clean facilities, and the whole country’s easy to navigate — even if you don’t speak the language.”
And how is the surf scene around Kyushu? “Japan’s surf scene is totally different to anywhere else I’ve surfed,” said Adam. “There’s a lot more respect in the water — but also some pretty heavy vibes if you mess up. The unwritten rule seems to be, as long as you’re not interfering with anyone, you’re sweet. And with 130 million people packed onto a landmass the size of a postage stamp, that rule kind of makes sense.”
Finding a few different corners.
Some spots in Japan have introduced a longboard ban in certain areas because of the possibility of it becoming a missile. “There are other spots that are locals-only,” said Adam. “And at a few places, you won’t see a single camera allowed and they will enforce it. That said, when the swell hits, it can be absolutely world-class. The first time I came from Indo, I didn’t expect much and paddled out into six-to-eight feet Indo-style perfection with only half a dozen people out. I was completely blown away.”
In Kyushu and the surrounds, there’s a subtropical climate, which means the weather can be warm during the summer months. “We’re talking 35°C with 100% humidity,” said Adam. “You’ll be sweating before you even unzip your boardbag. Winter, on the other hand, is wetsuit misery. It gets cold, the waves get inconsistent, and you’ll be questioning your life choices January and February, as you pull into 5mm of rubber.” Just like the UK then.
As for travelling around as a foreigner: “The train system is next-level,” Adam said. “And if you’ve got a bit of patience and some Google Translate magic, you’ll be fine. People are helpful, everything runs on time (like, to the second), and you’ll never be far from a 7-Eleven that sells everything from surf wax to socks.”
Humble Japanese fishing joint, to pumping, Indo-esque barrels in a few moments.
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