Diving in Ito, Shizuoka for beginners: the six areas (Usami, Ito, Kawana, Futo, Izu Oceanic Park, Yawatano) and how to choose
Ito, on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka, has six dive areas inside the city limits — from north to south Usami, Ito, Kawana, Futo, Izu Oceanic Park (Jogasaki) and Yawatano. Beginners are best served by the shore-entry sites (Futo, Kawana, Izu Oceanic Park, Yawatano, Usami); the boat dives off Ito port, 'Shirane', are rated for experienced divers. It is a day trip from Tokyo and reachable by train plus a walk or shop pickup. This guide lists only what we could confirm on Marine Diving web's area pages and the official sites of the dive centres and the Ito Tourist Association.
First decision: do you have a certification?
- No certification — try-dive. Book a 'taiken' (experience) course. In Ito, Izu Oceanic Park Diving Center, Yawatano Diving Center and Ito Diving Service all advertise try-dives on their official sites (as of 2026-09-12; prices and minimum age are on each booking page).
- Certified — fun diving. Choose the area and shore vs boat first, then either hire a local guide or, at Izu Oceanic Park, pay the facility fee and dive self-guided.
The six areas (Marine Diving web's classification)
| Area | Entry | Level | Notes (from the source) | Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usami | Shore | Beginner–advanced | Schools of isaki, takabe and barracuda in summer; clear water and soft coral in winter. 'Manbo-ne' | Usami |
| Ito (Shirane) | Boat | Advanced | Reefs covered in soft coral, 'one of Japan's top spots for anthias'. Boats from Ito port | Ito |
| Kawana | Shore / half-boat | Beginner–advanced | Shallow shelf with a high chance of sea turtles | Kawana |
| Futo | Shore / boat | Beginner–advanced | 'Well-maintained entry and exit points make it easy for beginners'. Yokobama, Futo Hall | Futo |
| Izu Oceanic Park (IOP) | Shore | Beginner–advanced | Opened 1964, 'the birthplace of leisure diving in Japan'. Reefs 1 and 2, training pool | Jogasaki-Kaigan |
| Yawatano | Shore / boat | Beginner–advanced | Lava formations ('Sazae-ne'); dive centre open every day | Izu-Kogen |
For a first dive, Futo or Izu Oceanic Park. Futo is explicitly described as beginner-friendly because of its built entry points; IOP has a training pool, changing rooms and parking. Kawana if you want turtles. Leave Shirane until you have experience with boats and current.
Izu Oceanic Park: fees and access (official figures)
From the dive centre's official price page (as of 2026-09-12):
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Facility fee | ¥2,530 |
| Tank 10 L (steel/aluminium) | ¥2,310 |
| Tank 14 L steel | ¥3,190 |
| Wetsuit (full) | ¥2,200 |
| Light gear 5-piece set | ¥2,530 |
| Full rental | ¥7,150 |
| Parking, car | ¥550 (¥1,100 in summer) |
Hours: weekdays 8:00–17:00, weekends and holidays 7:30–17:00, irregular closing days (Ito Tourist Association listing). Tank and gear rental must be reserved. Try-dive prices are not on the price page — check the booking page.
Getting there: about 30 minutes on foot from Jogasaki-Kaigan Station on the Izukyu Line (Ito Tourist Association). The fare from Ito Station to Jogasaki-Kaigan is ¥650 (Izukyu fare table). With gear, a shop pickup or Tokai Bus is more realistic.
Where the other centres are (official sites)
- Ito Diving Service — 2-4-14 Arai, inside Ito port, +81-557-38-5146. Boat points Shirane, Mane, Goto plus a shore site. Walkable from Ito Station.
- Yawatano Diving Center — 826 Yawatano, +81-557-53-3711. States it is open 365 days. Get off at Izu-Kogen Station. Try-dives and snorkelling offered.
Prices and try-dive conditions (minimum age, duration) change; confirm on each operator's booking page. This article carries only the figures we could verify.
Doing it without a car
From Ito Station the Izukyu Line reaches Kawana (¥370), Futo, Jogasaki-Kaigan (¥650) and Izu-Kogen (¥750); centres are 5–30 minutes on foot or offer pickups (same fare source as Ito without a car). The usual rule of no flying within 24 hours of diving does not affect a train ride back to Tokyo.
How and when this was checked
Checked 2026-09-12 against Marine Diving web's Ito area pages, the Izu Oceanic Park Diving Center price page, the Ito Tourist Association's listing, the official sites of Ito Diving Service and Yawatano Diving Center, and the Izukyu fare table. Sea conditions and prices change — phone the operator before you travel.
Preguntas frecuentes
- Which dive area in Ito is best for beginners?
- Futo and Izu Oceanic Park. Futo is described as beginner-friendly thanks to its built entry points; Izu Oceanic Park (opened 1964) has a training pool and full facilities. Kawana's shallow shelf is the place for sea turtles. The boat dives off Ito port (Shirane) are for experienced divers.
- Can I dive in Ito without a certification?
- Yes, on a try-dive. Izu Oceanic Park Diving Center, Yawatano Diving Center and Ito Diving Service all offer them (as of 2026-09-12; age limits and prices on each booking page).
- How much is the Izu Oceanic Park facility fee?
- ¥2,530 (official price page, as of 2026-09-12). A 10 L tank is ¥2,310, full rental ¥7,150, parking ¥550 (¥1,100 in summer). Rentals must be reserved.
- Can I reach Ito's dive sites by train?
- Yes. From Ito Station on the Izukyu Line: Kawana ¥370, Jogasaki-Kaigan ¥650, Izu-Kogen ¥750. Izu Oceanic Park is a 30-minute walk from Jogasaki-Kaigan, Yawatano from Izu-Kogen, and Ito port is walkable from Ito Station.