TAPPI-ZAKI
Tsugaru Peninsula
Aomori Prefecture, Japan

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The Northernmost Dive Site on Honshu

What makes this location one of the best diving spots in northern Japan is the clear waters and unique underwater topography. A strong current keeps the water clear near the rocky shoreline and provides plankton to keep the area alive with life. Lush seagrass grows in the shallow areas and colorful starfish and urchins are everywhere. On a good clear day with lots of sunlight the visibility in the water can reach 50 feet! You won't find such wonderful conditions anywhere else in this area of the country.
Lots of Sightseeing for Everyone

The Tsugaru Peninsula is one of the most scenic places in northern Japan. On a clear day you can see from the white cliffs of the Shimokita to the tip of the peninsula at Oma, and across the Tsugaru Strait to the southern shores of Hokkaido. The tip of the peninsula at Tappi-Zaki offers not only great diving, but alot of sightseeing opportunities for everyone. The drive from Aomori north takes you through a large number of small and scenic fishing villages. As you drive north along Mutsu Bay you'll enjoy the spectacular view of the bay from the tip of the Natsudomori Peninsula, Ozoresan Mountain in the northeast corner, across to Wakinosawa at the southern tip of the Shimokita Peninsula. As you approach the northern end of the Tsugaru Peninsula you'll get a great view of Hokkaido. When you arrive at Tappi-Zaki you'll see a roadside sign on the right depicting the area and it's attractions. The sign is labeled in English as well as Japanese. Follow the road up the hill and you'll be there. The lighthouse with it's WWII observation bunker offers the best views of the area. From here it's easy to see Hokkaido, but look down for a great view of the fishing port and it's clear blue/green waters. One of the most interesting sights is the "famous current" From the lighthouse lookout, look down to the left and you'll see churning waters. This is a northerly current passing over coral reefs. To really appreciate its force wait until a fishing boat passes south through it and observe the power required to make headway. Another attraction is the Wind Park, an array of windmill power generating stations built on the slopes of the point. This area is ussually always windy, so the Japanese make use of this resource by turning it into power. From the lighthouse parking lot a trail begins that will lead you down the steep slope to the shore below. This trail winds along the rocks all the way to the campground. For non-divers there are plenty of sheltered coves that are great for snorkeling.
Camping At Tappi-Zaki

The campground is fairly new with eight cabins available. The cabins are situated on hillside terraces over-looking the rest of the campground, and the shoreline to the south. At the base of the terraces are spots for tents, a large fire pit for party size fires and the bathroom and shower facilities. Washing sinks for equipment and dishes are inside a small building. The campground is about fifty feet above the water, with a set of concrete steps leading to the paved seaside trail below.
Diving in the Clear Waters

Warning! Don't venture too far from shore or the "famous current" will carry your "famous butt" through the Tsugaru Strait! About 300 feet from the shore is about the safe limit. Carrying your gear is easy here. It's just a walk of about 100 feet from the campground, down the steps to the waters edge.

The best entry point is right at the base of the steps leading down from the campground. Carefully climb over the rocks and slide into the water. You'll notice a sign at the waters edge that says entry prohibited during rough weather. After one entry over these rocks you'll see the logic in the sign - be careful!. From this entry point head straight out on the surface about 200 feet. Below you you'll see the canyons of rock that make diving here unique. Drop down into the canyons when you're ready and explore. Trying to map this underwater world would be like trying to map the Grand Canyon! The water in the summer is warm, a 3mm suit or even a shorty will keep you comfortable. A full suit is best though, because of the climb over the rocks and the rocky features underwater - gloves are a good idea too, just for protection. You'll notice a current even near the shore but it's light compared to the one further out. Plan your dives so that you start out heading southwest a few degrees and you'll end up coming back with the current to your exit point. The depths here vary depending on the terrain. The cantons drop to sandy bottoms from between 35 and 50 feet with the tops varying from 20 to 30 feet under the surface. You don't have to go deep here to enjoy excellent diving - remember the current! The best sights here are above 50 feet.
Other Diving Locations Nearby

You can enter the water anywhere along the seawall trail that leads from the campground to the lighthouse on the point. Be careful though! The closer you get to the point the closer the strong current comes to the shore, and the more likely you are to encounter boat traffic coming around the point.
How to Get to Tappi-Zaki


This Section is Still Under Construction

When you see the animated sign on the right depicting the Tappi-zaki area make a left turn and go steeply up the hill. At the top you'll come to a "T" intersection, turn right. Follow the road , in a little while you'll pass some buildings on the right, a hotel and restaurant. Just past the buildings a small road will branch off to the right and go downhill at a rather steep angle. There is a small white sign that says camping in English. Turn down this road, at the bottom of the hill is the campground - parking is in the lot on the left and the office is located right by the turn-in to the parking lot.
What's Available at Tappi-Saki Point, Tsugaru Peninsula

Distance (Km): 184 Kilometers
Driving Time: 4 Hours by way of Aomori
Day/Overnight: Daytrips are possible if you leave early in the morning, but overnighters are best since it's a long drive.
Campground: Yes, Not large but clean, best spots are at the base of the cabins near the fire pit.
Cabin Rental: Yes, 8 available, on the side of a hill on two terraces.
Electricity: Yes, in cabins only
Firewood: Yes, some driftwood can be collected along the shore
Showers: Yes, 100 yen for a hot shower. Bring your own toilet paper! Bathrooms here are really clean!
Hot Bath: No. Not at the campground, there are some on the peninsula but not nearby.
Fresh Water: Yes, There is a rinsing facility near the parking lot
Costs: 1000 yen for camping/3000 yen for cabins (daily). A deposit of 1000 yen (daily) is required for the cabins.
Swimming: Yes, Just about anywhere, but no nice beaches, the coastline is rocky everywhere. This is a place for the strong swimmer only, not children. Snorkeling is good close to the rocks in sheltered areas. Outside of the sheltered areas there is a strong current.
Shopping: Yes, At the lighthouse on the point there are several gift shops.
Restaurants: Yes, Downhill from the lighthouse towards Tappi are some hotels with nearby restaurants.
Attractions: The lighhouse on the point overlooks the Tsugaru Straits. From here you can easily see the southern shore of Hokkaido and on a clear day you can see the white cliffs of the Shimokita Peninsula. The Saiken Tunnel also runs under Tappi just below the lighthouse point.
Reservations: 0000-00-0000 Japanese Only. Reservations are recommended for the cabins.
Divers Information

Skill Level: Novice toAdvanced Open Water. Strong swimming skills recommended due to currents.
Equipment: Wet Suit recommended, 3mm okay unless you go past 75 feet.
Night Diving: Yes, but be careful and don't go out too far. Lights from the campground are visible but set out lanterns anyway.
From Campground: An easy walk down wide cement steps, only about 100 feet from the cabins to the shore.
Vehicle Access: Plenty of parking in a paved lot at the campground.
Best Entry Point: Anywhere along the rocks below the campground or along the trail leading to the lighthouse
Best Exit Point: Same as the entry points.
Visibility: Excellent! Next to Wakinosawa this is the best vis you will find in northern Japan. Expect 30 to 50 feet in calm seas and good weather. Light penetration is excellent.
Temperature: Warm. 75 degrees recorded in July and August.
Depths: 35 to 75 within 200 feet of the shore. Depths of 100+ require you to go out a little further, be careful of the strong current out of the south.
Current: The biggest danger. To really appreciate it look down from the lighthouse, you can actually SEE it churning the water.
Bottom Contours: Rock and large crevices, lots of large canyons and drop offs to glide down into. Topography-wise this is some of the most beautiful underwater terrain around.
Marine Life: Octopus, Flounder, Rock Bass, Urchins
Dive Profile: Sea level, moderate surface swim of 100-200 feet.
Safety Information: Watch the current! Also watch for small boats that approach close to the shoreline. Be careful stepping over the rocks to get in, they are slippery and sharp.
Site Highlights: Beautiful shore sightseeing, shopping, a seaside trail from the lighthouse to the campground. Wind Park with power-generating windmills. Outstanding views of Hokkaido in good weather. The drive to Tappi goes through dozens of small rustic fishing villages and the shore of Mutsu Bay.
Nearby Diving: Depending on how far you want to carry your gear you can enter anywhere along the trail between the camp-ground and lighthouse (about 1 Km). There also some easy to access entry points near the fishing port. One is at the point where the road forks uphill to the top. Park at the Scenic View sign and enter there.
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