Nishihama (Honshu)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nishihama (near Fujisawa/Enoshima, on the Shonan coast) is a tidal sandy beach where wind sports—especially kitesurfing—are the main focus. Wind is most often associated with southerly sea breezes developing in the afternoon, while winter can also work under a frontal-system pattern. Reported wind directions cluster around south to west (including S, SW, W/SSW), with typical workable ranges commonly described around 10–25 knots in sea-breeze conditions. On-water conditions are described as small-to-medium with a beach-break character for surfing. The water is generally clean in at least one dataset, while another enrichment source characterizes quality as fair and notes possible limited visibility from sand/urban proximity after heavy rain. The bay/shelter context around Sagami Bay and Enoshima breakwaters is referenced as helping manage exposure, though larger swell and storm periods can make conditions more challenging (including potential closing-out behavior on very large surf). For safety, summer is the critical season to plan around: strict zoning during July–August swimming periods prohibits kitesurfing and windsurfing within designated swimming areas during daytime hours (typically 8:00 to 17:00). Hazards called out include swimmers, currents, and rip-current risk; rescue availability is described as limited overall, with lifeguards present only during the summer season. The launch is also described as narrow or space-restricted, so managing your launch/landing area and following the changing summer boundary maps is emphasized. Skill-wise, kitesurfing and wingfoiling are described as intermediate-friendly, and windsurfing is described as very popular with intermediate riders. Surfing is described as more approachable for beginners in the source data, but overall wave quality is characterized as average and can range from mellow to more powerful during typhoon season. Across the year, one dataset highlights January–April and November–December as best wind months, while spring-to-early summer sea breezes are also highlighted by thermal/seasonal descriptions.
- Afternoon southerly thermal sea-breeze pattern
- Kitesurfing-focused tidal sandy beach
- Important summer swimming-zone restrictions
- Enoshima breakwaters provide some shelter
- Consistent southerly sea-breeze pattern developing in the afternoon during warmer months
- Tidal sandy beach setting with clean water quality reported by one dataset; water quality described as fair by another
- Sheltered bay context (Sagami Bay) that can provide intermediate-friendly conditions
- Strict summer swimming regulations (July–August) that restrict kiting/windsurfing during daytime hours
- Beach launch area can be narrow with limited room on the sand
- Crowds can be significant in peak summer conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, W, SSW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Southerly sea breezes in spring/early summer; winter frontal influence referenced for the wider coast.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom; composition described as sand (one enrichment source).
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small-to-medium wave conditions reported across sources.
- Launch
- Narrow beach launch with limited room on the sand (one dataset); wide sandy area overall but restricted during summer swimming season (one enrichment source).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate in one dataset; another source describes it as easy—likely reflecting differences by season/conditions and the effective launch corridor.
Through the year
Extremely crowded in July and August; moderate on weekends in spring/autumn; quiet on weekdays in winter.
Rainy season typically June and early July; typhoon season August to October (regional and enrichment notes).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A primary kitesurfing spot in the Shonan area with sandy bottom/conditions that can suit intermediate riders. Summertime swimming regulations and tidal/swell-driven variability are important.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Very popular with many local sailors; best in Southerly or Westerly winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Sandy bottom and generally manageable chop; described as excellent for wingfoiling, particularly on southerly thermal days.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Beach-break waves that can become more powerful during typhoon season; generally mellow but may close out on very large swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Enoshima and its breakwaters provide some protection from the east; the spot is in Sagami Bay/sheltered context referenced for the region.
- Wind Effect
- Southerly winds can bring chop; Northerly winds are described as offshore and can help groom waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, though Enoshima provides some protection.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are generally mellow with medium ride lengths; can become powerful during typhoon season.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nishihama (Honshu) in the full forecast view.
Nishihama (Honshu) 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, Nishihama (Honshu) 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
- Swimmers
- crowds
- currents
- rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards present during the official summer beach season.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited overall, with increased lifeguard activity during the official summer season.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards are present during the summer season only; universal emergency number 119 for fire/ambulance and 118 for maritime emergencies referenced for the region.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Strict zoning during the summer beach season (July and August): kitesurfing and windsurfing are prohibited inside designated swimming areas during daytime hours (typically 8:00 to 17:00).
- No kitesurfing in swimming zones during the summer season (typically 8:00 to 17:00).
- Space on the beach launch is limited/narrow, so manage your launch/landing area carefully.
- The spot is influenced by Pacific tides.
- Check the specific summer beach maps as swimming boundaries can change slightly each year.
- During regulated summer hours, obey the designated swimming-zone boundaries.
- Park in the large Enoshima-Nishihama parking lots for easiest access (as described by one enrichment source).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fujisawa
- Nearest Town
- Enoshima
- Parking
- Several large pay-parking lots available adjacent to the beach and the aquarium (as described by one enrichment source).
- Public Transport
- Highly accessible via public transport; Katase-Enoshima Station (Odakyu Line) described as about a 5-minute walk from the beach.
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, guesthouses, and ryokans in the Enoshima and Katase area (as described by one enrichment source).
- Food & Drink
- Abundant options including beach huts in summer and year-round restaurants along the promenade (as described by one enrichment source).
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at several local shops specializing in kite, wind, and surf gear (as described by one enrichment source).
- Gear Storage
- Many local schools and clubs offer seasonal or monthly gear storage lockers (as described by one enrichment source).
- Gear Repair
- Local surf and windsurf shops provide minor ding and sail repairs (as described by one enrichment source).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A popular offshore island connected by a bridge, featuring shrines, caves, a botanical garden, and an observation tower.
A scenic cycling path along the coastline with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.
An upscale waterfront complex with several restaurants and cafes overlooking the yacht harbor.
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 Nishihama (Honshu)?
The best overall months at Nishihama (Honshu) are March, April, May, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Nishihama (Honshu)?
Nishihama (Honshu) works with S, SW, W, SSW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Nishihama (Honshu)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Nishihama (Honshu): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4.5–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Nishihama (Honshu) suitable for?
Nishihama (Honshu) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.