In celebration of the five-year anniversary of their Daikanyama store, Colin Tunstall and Morgan Collett of Saturdays NYC embarked on a 10-day journey around Japan, stopping in Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Shikoku, making time for few surf sessions along the way. “You can find something for whatever skill level or board style you prefer,” assures Tunstall. “Not only are the waves good but all the bonuses of being in Japan make surfing there incredible.”
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall1/24Flying over Mt. Fuji.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall3/24The streets of Tokyo during typhoon season are filled with lots of people—and lots of umbrellas.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall4/24Ramen in Shibuya.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall5/24Looking down on Shibuya.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall6/24A peek in the window at the Saturdays shop in Daikanyama.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall8/24A matcha break before meeting with our leather goods manufacturer near Tokyo Tower.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall9/24The blinking red lights of Tokyo at night.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall10/24A temple in Nagoya, right around the block from our store.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall11/24The sunset over Mt. Fuji on the drive back from Chiba.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall12/24On the streets of Kyoto.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall13/24On the way to surf in Shikoku, flying over the mountains and valleys of Japan.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall14/24Shikoku. “It’s a magical setting, with beautiful mountains and valleys with an unbelievable surf break,” says Collett.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall15/24The Kaifu river mouth in Shikoku.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall16/24We love all the unique and interesting vehicles in Japan like this tiny flatbed truck.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall17/24A surf map covered in board dust at the 303 Surfboards shaping bay.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall18/24Kohei showing off his board collectsion.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall19/24A surfer getting ready to hit the waves in Shikoku. “In general, the surfers there are really prepared when headed to the beach,” says Tunstall. “We’ve seen some amazing rigs where there are buckets, showers, stools, stands for boards, packaging for wax, surf accessories—everything. You normally don’t see that level of accessorizing in United States.”
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall20/24This is a board that Shohei shaped for me. I was able to put my own original artwork on the top.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Tunstall21/24Fishing boats on the bay of Shikoku.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Turstall22/24A golden retriever waits for its owner.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Turstall23/24The Shikoku fishing dock at sunrise.
Photo: Courtesy of Colin Turstall24/24The sunrise in Shikoku.
