Best time to surf Shikoku – Ikumi
The best time to surf at Shikoku – Ikumi is August–October, the known surf season, with water around 28°C.
Toyo, Kochi, Japan
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: August–October
Ikumi is a small beach in the town of Toyo, at the eastern end of Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, close to the border with Tokushima. A short sandy cove between wooded headlands faces east to the Pacific and catches swell well, with beach-break peaks over sand and rock at both ends. It is one of the most popular surf beaches in Shikoku and has hosted national contests.
The best season runs from about June to November, when typhoons and Pacific low-pressure systems send swell; westerly to northerly winds blow offshore. Winter brings smaller, cleaner days with colder water. Smaller days suit learners and intermediates, while typhoon swells are powerful and best left to experienced surfers. The cove is small, so the line-up fills quickly on good days; follow local etiquette and parking rules. The water ranges from about 17 °C in winter to 27 °C in late summer: a 4/3 mm wetsuit in winter, boardshorts or a spring suit in summer. Watch for rocks at the edges and rip currents on big swells.
Month by month at Shikoku – Ikumi
- January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 18°C, air 11°C (nights 2°C), 27 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 17°C, air 12°C (nights 3°C), 21 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- March: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 17°C, air 16°C (nights 6°C), 24 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- April: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 11°C), 19 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- May: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 20°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 22 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- June: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 19°C), 17 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 27°C, air 30°C (nights 24°C), 26 sunny days, 16 rainy days
- August: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 29°C, air 31°C (nights 25°C), 27 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 28°C, air 29°C (nights 23°C), 25 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 26°C, air 24°C (nights 16°C), 22 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- November: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 24°C, air 19°C (nights 10°C), 25 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 21°C, air 14°C (nights 4°C), 28 sunny days, 5 rainy days
Surfing in Japan: August, September, October
When is the best time to go surfing at Shikoku – Ikumi?
August–October, the known surf season (when the swell direction and winds suit this spot).
How warm is the water at Shikoku – Ikumi?
17°C to 29°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a 4/3 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is Shikoku – Ikumi?
About 7 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in April.
Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
More: All spots in Japan · Surfing in Japan
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