Dive centre · Ito · Japan
4.244 Google reviewsAkazawa Diving Center
Explore the unique convergence of temperate and subtropical marine life in the Sagami Bay from this modern, renovated facility in Ito.
What sets this centre apart
- Unique coexistence of temperate and subtropical marine species
- Facilities renovated in 2021 with a tropical atmosphere
- Nitrox available for use on dives
- Oxygen and AED available on-site for safety
- Two hours from Tokyo with a shuttle service from Izukogen station
- Full equipment hire including wetsuits and drysuits
- Local experts providing guided dives
- Regular marine environmental cleaning events
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Akazawa Diving Center about the centre
Akazawa Diving Center is situated in Ito, overlooking the Sagami Bay. This specific area of the Japanese coastline is notable for its unique biological crossroads, where species typically found in temperate waters meet those from subtropical environments.
The centre underwent a complete renovation in 2021, resulting in bright, modern facilities designed with a relaxing, tropical atmosphere. It serves as a practical hub for divers looking to explore the rocky reefs and volcanic formations that characterise this region.
The club and its team
The centre is run by local experts who possess an intimate knowledge of the Akazawa seabed. They lead guided dives and are available to support autonomous buddy dives for certified divers.
Safety is a primary focus, with oxygen and an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) kept on-site for emergency use. The team also demonstrates a commitment to the local environment through regular marine cleaning events.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- PADI
- Website available in
- Japanese
- Equipment rental
- complet, palmes/masque/tuba, combinaison uniquement, lest, bouteille
- Nitrox
- Yes
- Oxygen on board
- Yes
- Access and transfers
- The centre offers a shuttle service from Izukogen Station for people arriving by train. It is located 2 hours from Tokyo.
- Accommodation
- The centre recommends the accommodation "Akiyama Tsuri Yado", located opposite the beach. It offers rooms with tatami mats, a family atmosphere and meals with fresh fish. Rates: 1 night/2 meals for 6,000¥, 1 night/breakfast for 4,000¥, room only for 3,000¥.
- Phone
- +81 557-52-6885
- Address
- 1-2 Akazawa, Itō, Shizuoka 413-0233, Japan
- Official website
- akazawa-dc.info ↗
Courses on offer
The centre provides a range of training options, including Discover Scuba Diving for those looking to experience the underwater world for the first time. They also facilitate guided dives for those looking to explore the local sites with professional supervision.
Equipment and gases
For those not travelling with their own kit, the centre offers full equipment hire. This includes wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkels, and weights. Drysuits are also available for hire if required.
Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom times. The centre is well-equipped to handle the logistics of gear preparation and rinsing for all guests.
Dive sites with Akazawa Diving Center
Iboyagi Iwa (0-ban) is a striking geological formation of stacked lava rocks. The site features a steep slope descending to 32 metres, covered in various sizes of soft corals and ideal for observing sedentary fish.
Sankaku Iwa (3-ban) is a reef and wall site that benefits from a good current. This flow attracts a wide variety of filefish throughout the year, with pelagic fish often appearing during the autumn months.
Turtle Point (5-ban) is a reef site known for its frequent sightings of green sea turtles at various resting spots. The area around the mooring buoy contains anemone fields inhabited by clownfish and three-spot damselfish.
Nakanosaki is a reef and cave site that functions like a miniature marine park. With a maximum depth of 12 metres, it features a labyrinth of fissures and swim-throughs that are home to various frogfish and sleeping scorpionfish.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
Marine life around Ito
The reefs around Ito are characterised by a diverse array of soft corals and colourful Nanyo cauliflower corals. You will find a mix of subtropical and temperate species, including green sea turtles, clownfish, and three-spot damselfish.
In the autumn, the currents at sites like Sankaku Iwa bring in pelagic fish, offering a different perspective on the local ecosystem. The rocky walls and slopes are also home to various species of filefish.
For macro enthusiasts, the area offers plenty of interest. You can find various species of nudibranchs, crustaceans, and frogfish hidden among the reef structures, alongside colourful scorpionfish resting on the sandy bottom.
Diving conditions
The dive sites vary from shallow sandy flats to steep volcanic walls. Some sites, such as Sankaku Iwa, are known for having a good current, which is beneficial for seeing certain fish species but requires appropriate buoyancy control.
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