Ichinomatsu surf forecast
Ichinomatsu is an east-facing sandy beach break on Chiba's Kujukuri coast, with several peaks and a jetty that shapes where people paddle out. It sits between Shirako and Ichinomiya, yet it is often less crowded than the spots around it.
Ichinomatsu waves, wind and tide by the hour
The table shows the forecast hour by hour for Ichinomatsu Beach. The break works best when waves are 1.0–1.8 m, the wind comes from the west and the tide is around mid. Locals searching 一松 波情報 can also check daily reports from the surf school BEACH, which runs lessons at this beach.
Updated 16:58next run 21:40Open-Meteo wave and wind models
Today 3 Nov
Worth it 06-07, clean head-high, cross-offshore NNW.
Best window: 06:00–07:00
Tide and daylight
- Low
- 04:30
- High
- 12:18
- Low
- 18:14
- High
- 22:29
- Sunrise
- 06:01
- Sunset
- 16:42
Every hour, 05–21
Tomorrow 4 Nov
Skip: the wind spoils it, head-high, cross-onshore NE.
Tide and daylight
- Low
- 05:40
- High
- 12:47
- Low
- 19:00
- Sunrise
- 06:02
- Sunset
- 16:41
Every hour, 05–21
Thursday 5 Nov
Too big and heavy for this spot, stay out.
Tide and daylight
- High
- 00:45
- Low
- 06:47
- High
- 13:17
- Low
- 19:23
- Sunrise
- 06:03
- Sunset
- 16:40
Every 3 hours
Friday 6 Nov
Too big and heavy for this spot, stay out.
Tide and daylight
- High
- 01:54
- Low
- 07:30
- High
- 13:36
- Low
- 20:08
- Sunrise
- 06:04
- Sunset
- 16:39
Every 3 hours
Forecast point: Ichinomatsu (35.400, 140.392). Waves = estimated breaking height at the beach. Data: Open-Meteo wave and weather models (CC BY 4.0). Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information. Surf at your own risk.
Watch the wind column first. A westerly is offshore here, and local reports often warn that the wind picks up as the day goes on, so morning sessions tend to be cleaner.
Ichinomatsu peaks and nearby spots
Ichinomatsu has a sand bottom and peaks spread along the beach, so you can usually find room to surf in peace. Many daily reports describe the surf as left or right of the jetty, and the better side changes with the wind. If it is not working, several other Kujukuri spots are only a short drive away.
Ichinomatsu – left of the jetty
Beach breakGood in S–SW windThe school says this side tends to be the pick when the wind blows from the south or south-west. On some days, surfers could fit in a turn or two on the better sets here.
Some days the current drifts toward the jetty on this side, so keep an eye on where you are. Sources: google.com · b132.net · google.com
Ichinomatsu – right of the jetty
Beach breakFast wavesWith a north-westerly the current tends to run from north to south, and the school suggests less experienced surfers go in on this side. With a north-easterly there is less worry about current here, but the waves break very quickly.
On one small north-westerly day a goofy-foot wave was possible off the right edge of the jetty, though it broke early. Sources: google.com · google.com
Nakazato
Nearest spot2.1 kmNakazato is the closest neighbouring spot, about 2.1 km away. It is a handy alternative depending on swell direction, wind and crowds. Sources: japan.surfride.net
Ichinomiya
Beach breakHigh levelIchinomiya is about 3.4 km away. It faces east, has a westerly offshore, and picks up swells from south-east to north-east.
Many pro surfers are based in Ichinomiya town. Its Tsurigasaki beach, known as Shidashita, hosted surfing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Sources: japan.surfride.net · google.com
Shirako
Beach break4.1 kmShirako lies about 4.1 km away, on the other side of Ichinomatsu from Ichinomiya. Its beach faces east-south-east. Sources: japan.surfride.net · google.com
Sunrise
Beach break4.9 kmSunrise is in Torami, Ichinomiya town, about 4.9 km from Ichinomatsu. The beach there faces east. Sources: japan.surfride.net · google.com
What Ichinomatsu needs to fire
These are the exact rules behind Kiwi's rating for this spot. Every hour of the forecast is scored on all four, then turned into a rating of 1 to 5 stars.
Swell
East swells, wide window
The beach faces east (about 100°) and takes swell from anywhere between north-east and south.
Wind
Westerly wind is offshore
The best wind is from the west (about 280°), which blows offshore and grooms the faces.
Tide
Mid tide works best
Aim for mid tide; the break is happiest away from the extremes.
Size
1.0–1.8 m is ideal
Below about 0.5 m there is little to ride, and 1.0–1.8 m is the sweet spot. Above about 2.5 m it gets too big, with closeouts and rips.
Shortcut: a 1–1.8 m swell from the east, a westerly breeze and mid tide is the day to go.
The best months to surf Ichinomatsu
We replayed Kiwi's rating on every day of the last year and counted how often Ichinomatsu's best window reached 4 or 5 stars.
Dec–FebThe most reliable months
Winter has the most good days: 61% of December days rated 4+ and 71% rated 3+, with January (52% / 77%) and February (46% / 61%) close behind. The water is cool at 15.6–17.7°C.
Mar–JunPatchy, with spells of fun surf
Only 7–19% of days rate 4+ in these months, though 40–48% rate 3+ from April to June. One local guide calls spring to autumn the best season, so it is worth watching the forecast.
Jul–SepWarm water, fair odds
July and August each have 26% of days at 4+ and 42–45% at 3+, falling to 13% and 30% in September. The sea is at its warmest, 24–26.5°C.
Oct–NovA slow October, a better November
October is the quietest month, with just 6% of days at 4+ and 15% at 3+. November improves to 23% and 47%.
Before you go
Currents and the jetty
Rips are the main hazard, and the waves close out when the swell gets big. Wind often sets up a current along the beach, and the school warns about boards bouncing back at you on windy days.
In bigger surf, the school tells beginners to stay well clear of the jetty. On those days they suggest practising in the whitewater, away from the jetty, where you can stand. Sources: google.com · google.com · b132.net
Getting there
Ichinomatsu is in Chosei village, Chosei district, Chiba, between Shirako and Ichinomiya. The local surf school says it is about 75 minutes from Tokyo. Sources: japan.surfride.net · google.com · google.com
Parking and facilities
There is a free car park at Ichinomatsu beach, and there are toilets. There are no showers. Sources: japan.surfride.net
Crowds
For such an easy place to reach, Ichinomatsu is often less crowded than the spots around it. Even so, reports note the line-up filling up through the morning, and busier sessions on weekends. Sources: japan.surfride.net · google.com · google.com
Water temperature and wetsuit
From January to April the sea sits around 14.7–15.9°C, so a 4/3 or 5/4 with boots is sensible. In December (17.7°C) and May (18.2°C) a 4/3 is a good choice.
In June (21.2°C) and November (20.3°C) a 3/2 works well. From July to October the water is 23–26.5°C, warm enough for a springsuit or boardshorts.
Best time of day
Reports often advise getting a session in early, before the wind gets up. On one day the most waves came around the low tide near midday, and another report warned that too much tide makes it worse. Our setup favours mid tide. Sources: google.com · google.com
Live cam and daily reports
Chosei village streams a live cam of Ichinomatsu on YouTube, pointed east-south-east over the beach. The surf school BEACH posts daily wave reports and forecasts for the beach. Sources: google.com · google.com
Beach clean and lessons
BEACH runs a beach clean on the first Sunday of every month from 10:00, and anyone is welcome to join. The school teaches beginners all year round, not only in summer. Sources: b132.net
Where the numbers come from
The method
Kiwi takes Open-Meteo's wave and wind models (ECMWF WAM, Météo-France, NOAA GFS and Open-Meteo's best-match blend) at a point about 5 km off Ichinomatsu. There is no buoy correction here yet: these are the models as they come.
Each hour is scored on the four rules above (swell, wind, tide, size). The stars are calibrated on a full year of data for Japan, so 4 stars at Ichinomatsu is a genuinely good day by that country's standard.
What we can say
The season chart and the stars use the same rules, replayed on the archive: a month marked good was good by these rules, not by a surf report.
Without a buoy nearby, the size at the beach is our model's estimate, not a measurement.
Ichinomatsu surf questions
Is Ichinomatsu good for beginners?
Yes, it suits all levels, and one guide rates it from beginner up. The bottom is sand, and a surf school teaches here all year. On bigger or windier days, stay in the whitewater and away from the jetty.
When is the best time to surf Ichinomatsu?
December to February has the most good days, with December at 61% of days rated 4+. October is the weakest month at 6%.
How cold is the water in Ichinomatsu in December?
The sea is about 17.7°C in December, so a 4/3 wetsuit is a good choice.
What wind and tide does Ichinomatsu need?
A westerly wind is offshore, and mid tide works best. Waves of 1.0–1.8 m are ideal.
Where do I park at Ichinomatsu?
There is a free car park at Ichinomatsu beach, with toilets but no showers.
Is there a live cam for 一松 波情報?
Yes, Chosei village runs a YouTube live cam of the beach. The surf school BEACH also posts daily reports for Ichinomatsu.
Check Ichinomatsu before you drive
Open the hourly forecast and look for a westerly, a 1–1.8 m east swell and mid tide. Then pick the side of the jetty that suits the wind.