Inamura Point
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Inamura Point is an exposed reef break on the Kamakura–Shonan Coast, characterized by small localized launch access at a rocky/cliff-front shoreline. It is primarily known for its big-wave typhoon-season surfing potential, with the most celebrated sessions occurring when a substantial south to south-southwest swell lines up with offshore northerly wind for cleaner faces. The wave is reported as powerful and, at its best, very hollow, especially on the hallmark right-hand wall. Both left and right waves can show when conditions are suitable, but the spot’s standout behavior is long vertical wall potential with barrel sections on larger swells. Ride lengths can be lengthy when the swell is large enough to connect outer reef sections, with one source describing potential ride distances in the range of roughly 100–200 meters. Conditions are tightly dependent on alignment and can become dangerous quickly as swell size increases. Reef and submerged rock hazards are prominent, and very strong currents are associated with typhoon swells. Crowd pressure is also a recurring issue: multiple sources warn that the spot is likely to be crowded when working, and there is a strong emphasis on local etiquette and lineup priorities, including restrictions during official competition periods when the peak may be closed. For timing, the spot is most associated with spring through autumn, with October repeatedly highlighted as a top month for consistent typhoon-season surf. Wind is described as best from the north (offshore), while sea-breeze influences in summer are only occasional; overall wind reliability is reported as low, so planning around actual offshore north wind and the correct southern swell window is essential. Because there are no lifeguards and rescue is not available at the spot level, expert preparation, careful entry/exit management on slippery rocks, and appropriate reef-protection gear (including boots and a wetsuit) are strongly recommended.
- Legendary typhoon-season reef waves
- Offshore northerly wind helps groom clean wave faces
- Right-hand wall/barrel potential on significant swells
- October is repeatedly cited as a best month
- Renowned typhoon-season big-wave reef surfing spot
- North wind/offshore conditions groom the swell into cleaner faces
- Powerful, hollow right-hand wall potential with long ride distances when the swell connects outer reef sections
- Exposed reef break that can deliver long vertical walls and barrel sections during significant southern swells
- Expert-level, high-risk reef/rock environment
- Heavy crowds and competitive/locally aggressive atmosphere when working
- Sharp reef and strong currents during typhoon swells; no lifeguards
- Wind reliability is reported as low and the clean conditions depend on specific offshore northerly wind + swell alignment
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Offshore northerly winds; generally best for clean wave faces. The spot also sees frontal influence in winter and occasional light summer sea breezes, but clean conditions are primarily tied to north winds.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported gustiness described as moderate-gusts.
- Best Months
- September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs at the point can provide some shelter from light cross-winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rock shoreline character; reef-breaking in front of cliffs.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Wave size described as big; working typhoon swell conditions are a major driver of quality.
- Launch
- Small — Cliff-front reef break with a small launch zone; rocky shoreline entry with limited space, especially at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Reported as moderate to difficult due to limited access space, rocks, and reef hazards.
Through the year
Highest during summer weekends and whenever a large south swell is running; crowded particularly during typhoon season.
Typhoon season is a major surf season driver, with rainy season reported as June to July and typhoon season August to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break in front of cliffs, known for heavy right-hand reef waves with high-impact, long-wall potential during significant southern swells (often typhoon-generated). Both left and right waves can appear, but the spot’s hallmark is the right-hand wall behavior when the swell is large enough to connect.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 2–5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Sources describe mid tide as a good window.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break; shelter is limited.
- Wind Effect
- Best with north wind/offshore conditions, grooming the swell into cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- When it gets big, it can form long vertical walls with barrel sections and hollow wall potential; true potential is associated with substantial swells.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Reported as world-class/very high quality when conditions align (southern swell + north wind).
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Typhoon-season reef waves with powerful wall/barrel behavior.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow sections are reported for the most serious swell periods.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast-peeling/hollow potential on the right-hand walls when conditions connect.
- Ride Length
- Long — Can produce long vertical walls with barrel sections when the swell is up and connects outer reef sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Some sources describe long vertical walls; another quantifies potential ride distances of roughly 100–200 meters when the outer reef connects.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Inamura Point in the full forecast view.
Inamura Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- N11°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.4 m7s period
- Temperature
- 12–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Inamura Point is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.5–1.4 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reef
- Cliffs
- Sharp volcanic rock
- Submerged reef sections
- Extremely strong currents during typhoon swells
- Heavy crowds
- Aggressive localism
- Sea-lice
- Slippery, sharp rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present at this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue not available at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are located in Kamakura and Fujisawa; maritime emergencies are handled via Japan’s emergency number 118 (along with universal emergency number 119 for fire/ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Aggressive and competitive local vibe; strict hierarchy/local etiquette.
Rules of the spot
Strict local lineup priorities and local etiquette are enforced; do not surf during official competitions when applicable.
- Avoid surfing during official competitions when the peak is closed to the public.
- Respect local lineup priorities.
- Expect crowds when the spot is working.
- North wind + south swell alignment is key for quality waves.
- Do not attempt to paddle out during a typhoon swell unless you are an expert.
- Watch entry and exit points carefully; rocks can be slippery and sharp.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tokyo
- Nearest Town
- Fujisawa
- Nearest Airport
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Parking
- Very limited public parking nearby; most visitors use public transport or local pay lots which fill up quickly.
- Public Transport
- Excellent rail access via Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) and other rail lines connecting the coast to Tokyo and Yokohama.
- Access
- Accessible by train to the nearby station or by driving from Tokyo.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guest houses and hotels in Kamakura and the Enoshima area.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants along Route 134 overlooking the water.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rentals at nearby surf shops reported; most riders bring high-performance gear. Broader regional rentals exist for other water sports.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage lockers offered seasonally/monthly through local schools and marine clubs.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services reported in nearby areas.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The broader Kamakura–Shonan coast blends surf culture with major historic sightseeing anchored by Kamakura and Enoshima.
An offshore island connected by a bridge with shrines, caves, and a botanical garden plus a panoramic observation tower.
A monumental bronze statue of Amida Buddha.
A scenic cycling path along the coastline with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.
An upscale waterfront complex with several restaurants and cafes.
A major public aquarium located on the mainland side of the Enoshima bridge.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Inamura Point?
The best overall months at Inamura Point are October. The best wind months are September, October.
Which wind directions work at Inamura Point?
Inamura Point works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Inamura Point suitable for?
Inamura Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.