Location: Honshu Island, Japan
Japanese Shark Diving Expedition
Dive with the endemic sharks and rays of Japan
Although largely undiscovered by international divers, Japan offers some of the best shark diving in the world!
The land of the rising sun has it all: dynamic shark feeds with hundreds of swarming houndsharks, natural encounters with schooling pelagic species, and fabulous reef dives with an incredible diversity of endemic sharks that you cannot see anywhere else on the planet.
Join Shark Photographer Andy Murch on Honshu Island to dive with hundreds of swirling Banded Houndsharks, plus Japanese Hornsharks, Japanese Angelsharks, Japanese Wobbegong Sharks, and many endemic ray species. Divers may also see Cloudy Angelsharks, Blotchy Swellsharks, and iconic pelagics such as Scalloped Hammerheads and Oceanic Blacktip sharks.
THE ENCOUNTER
Scuba diving with Japanese sharks and rays.
2025
DATE
March 23-29 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$4195 per person double occupancy
$5100 single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2026
DATE
May 17-23 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2027
DATE
TBA 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Two different comfortable hotels in Honshu Island, Japan
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Open water certification required
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 6 night’s double occupancy hotel accommodation
- 3 dives per day in Chiba (2 days of diving)
- 2 dives per day in Mikomoto Island (3 days of diving)
- Private coach transfers between Tokyo, Chiba and Izu
- Tanks and weights
- Shark encounters with an experienced shark feeder
- Japanese/English Interpreter
NOT INCLUDED
- Personal dive equipment rental
- Meals
- Flights
Banded houndsharks
The most common shark species that you will see are banded houndsharks; a generally shy species that – over a period of years – have become used to human contact. When we conduct the shark feed, you can expect to see literally hundreds of Banded houndsharks in one small area. This is a dive not to be missed!
Japanese horn sharks
Another common shark on the reefs around Chiba is the Japanese horn shark. With a good guide and some observant hunting, his beautiful species can often be found hiding under ledges or sitting motionless in plain sight. This one is definitely not shy! Its super easy to close to this shark as sits patiently hoping to blend into its environment.
Blotchy swell sharks
More difficult to find than its horned cousin, the blotchy or Japanese swell shark is another slow moving species that likes to wedge itself under overhangs and inflate its belly with water so that it can’t be dislodged.
Japanese sleeper rays
This unusual little ray species lives on the sand in close proximity to reefs where it has a steady supply of prey species. Finding these pint sized predators can be a challenge because – with a flick of their pectoral fins – they can disappear under a fine layer of sand. Watch out where you are kneeling, this ray packed a serious electric punch even when under the sand.
Japanese wobbegong sharks
At Mikomoto we will focus on Japanese wobbegong sharks; a northern relative to the more common wobbegongs that are found around Australia. They are a migratory species that is easy to see during the winter months.
Two species of Japanese angel sharks
The Izu Peninsula is home to many Japanese angelsharks; another species that is only abundant in the winter. At Mikomoto we also have a chance to see cloudy angelsharks – a species that is seldom photographed at other dive sites in Japan.
Red stingray city!!
Perhaps even more abundant than the banded houndsharks, you will probably be bombarded by scores of red stingrays during the shark feeds in Chiba. Armed with sharp tail spines, these rays show up in droves hoping to sneak a scrap or two. Fortunately, they never use their barbs on divers unless you accidentally land on one!
Beautiful reefscapes packed with exotic species
If endless sharks sounds a little monotonous, its a quick kick into the lush soft coral reefs where a myriad exotic fish await! The diversity of species around Honshu Island is world class. From huge bristlechin fish to intricately patterned morays and rockfishes, there is enough life on these reefs to keep even the most jaded diver happy.
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | After an easy 11am pick up in Tokyo, you will travel in our private group bus to the hotel in southern Chiba prefecture (about 3hrs by road). Once we check in we will visit the dive shop and arrange equipment before heading out for supper at a nearby restaurant. |
| Day 2 | After a light breakfast, we will head out to sea for three banded houndshark dives. During the dives, we will spend some time exploring the reef in search of Japanese horn sharks and endemic other species. |
| Day 3 | Three more sharky dives in Chiba. Then, we will pack up and relocate to the Izu Peninsula; about 5hrs by private bus. Dinner at a restaurant near Mikomoto Island in southern Izu. |
| Day 4 | After breakfast, we will head out for two dives at Mikomoto Island in search of Japanese angel sharks, Cloudy angelsharks, Japanese wobbegongs and other endemic species. |
| Day 5 | Second day of shark diving at Mikomoto Island photographing endemic japanese sharks. |
| Day 6 | On our last day of shark diving we may return to Mikomoto Island or we may dive Izu Ocean Park to look for more sharks, plus Japanese monkfish. |
| Day 7 | After a quick breakfast at the hotel in Shimoda, we will drive back to Tokyo, arriving around noon. |
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
