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Surfing and Wave Carver Ihachi

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Surfing and Wave Carver Ihachi

Experience surfing at Taito Beach, modeled on the waves of Ihachi "the best wave carver in the world"

Isumi Tourist Information Center

© Tourism Isumi / Experience Surfing at Taito Beach

The roots of famous Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, widely known for the iconic print 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa,' can be found in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture. One of the influential characters in his life who had a significant impact on him was a local sculptor named Yoshinobu Ihachiro Takeshi, known by the nickname Ihachi.

Isumi is known for its excellent waves that are well-loved by surfers around the world. The waves Ihachi expressed in his sculptures come from Taito Beach, located in Isumi. You should experience the waves for yourself to fully understand the waves Ihachi expressed through his sculptures, and why the waves are loved by surfers even to this day. We can assume that Isumi’s surfers and Ihachi are very similar in terms of their deep passion for the Isumi waves, and that if he had been born in this current world, he would have loved surfing there as well. Taito Beach offers many surf shops, schools and surfboards for rental, which means you could come here and surf without bringing any gear. Taito is a very exciting place for surfing, where you can surf on waves that served as inspiration for the artwork of Ihachi and Hokusai.