Oniguchi

Best Surf Season (October - March)

Oniguchi sits with a southwest-facing exposure along the Japanese coast, so the surf year is as much about wind direction as open-ocean swell. From October through March, the Siberian high pressure system builds over Asia and funnels frequent NNO/NO/ONO offshore winds through the local gaps. That is the golden window for surface quality. North Pacific low-pressure systems spin up a steady diet of NW-dominated swell, with average heights reaching 1.1-1.3m (3.5-4.5ft) and periods holding in the 7-8s range. Pure NW swell is not ideal for this beach, but when the wave angle shifts into WNW, W or occasional WSW, Oniguchi lines up with clean, punchy peaks. January, February and December deliver the biggest, most consistent swell of the year, while October and November often combine the best winds with developing autumn groundswell.