Big Ben

Big Ben is an exposed beach-and-jetty surfing spot in Kamogawa where surf quality is strongly affected by swell/wind alignment and shifting sandbars. Waves can run both left and right, and the break can range from punchy sections to longer rides when the sandbars line up with the jetty structures. Wind conditions most often improve surf when northwest winds are offshore, helping to clean up the face. Reported best wind direction is northwest, and wind is generally described as most reliable during the winter monsoon period when northwest winds prevail. A south-to-southeast swell is the key ingredient, with the best setups occurring when that swell matches the offshore northwest wind. Safety is a major consideration at this launch due to rip-current risk near the concrete jetties and the presence of tetrapods. Crowds can also increase on weekends or when a good swell is running, so plan your entry carefully and respect the established peaks and local etiquette. Seasonally, conditions are often strongest around the late-summer into autumn window. Typhoon season typically runs from August to October (and the September–October period is widely highlighted for swell opportunities), but that same period also brings more weather risk.