The Dive Factory Tokyo

The Dive Factory operates as a multi-branch diving school with a significant presence in Japan, maintaining facilities in Tokyo, Mitaka, and the Izu Peninsula, alongside locations in Okinawa and Saipan. This network allows them to facilitate training and expeditions across a diverse range of Japanese marine environments, from volcanic coastlines to tropical coral reefs.

As an SSI-affiliated centre, they focus on a structured educational approach that prioritises safety and skill retention. Their setup is designed to accommodate different learning paces, particularly through the use of their own private heated diving pool, which allows for controlled skill practice regardless of the season.

The centre prides itself on having one of the largest instructor teams in Japan for a single shop, providing a high level of expertise across their various branches. The team includes a significant number of female instructors, contributing to a diverse and professional teaching environment.

Instruction is kept intimate to ensure close supervision, with a maximum of 4 divers per guide. This ratio is maintained to ensure that every student receives the necessary attention to build confidence and technical competence. They also offer private lessons for those who prefer a more tailored, one-on-one approach to their training.

The training programme is comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of SSI certifications. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to progress can move through Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster levels, eventually reaching Master Diver.

Specialised training is also a core part of their offering. This includes technical and skill-based specialties such as Deep Diving, Navigation Diving, Drift Diver Specialty, and Boat Diver Specialty. They also provide specific training for High Altitude Diving and the Emergency Awareness Diver (EAD) course, alongside professional development through the Instructor Training Course (ITC).

The centre operates its own private heated diving pool, which serves as a dedicated training ground for students to master buoyancy and skill execution in a calm environment. This facility is particularly useful for those following a certification course, as it allows for regular review sessions.

For those requiring equipment, full kit hire is available, covering the essentials needed for both training and exploration dives. They also provide free pool review sessions following sea dives to help divers refine their techniques and ensure they are comfortable with their kit before the next outing.

In the warmer waters of Okinawa and Palau, you can encounter large pelagics such as manta rays and grey reef sharks. These sightings are often a highlight for divers looking for more significant marine life.

In the Izu and Miyakejima areas, dolphins are frequently seen, adding a unique element to the local marine ecology. These sightings depend on the specific location and local conditions during your dive.

For macro enthusiasts, the reefs host a variety of smaller life forms. You may encounter different species of nudibranchs, such as Chromodoris willani, along with golden blennies and various gobies including the thick-striped goby and white-spotted goby.

Other interesting small creatures to look for include the red frogfish, juvenile scorpionfish, and various species of blennies and gobies that inhabit the reef flat and crevices.