Japan

Japan: The Hammerhead River

Most people think of Japan for its sushi and snow, but underwater, it hosts one of the world's most impressive shark spectacles. Off the coast of the Izu Peninsula lies Mikomoto Island, a place frequently nicknamed the "Cocos of Japan." Here, the powerful Kuroshio Current brings warm water and massive schools of Scalloped Hammerheads. It is a high-adrenaline drift dive where you can see hundreds of sharks forming a literal river in the blue. It is wild, current-swept, and totally unexpected for a destination usually known for its macro life.

Why We Chose This Sticker Design

The visual anchor for this piece is the phenomenon known as the "Hammerhead River." We painted a dense wall of silhouetted sharks in the background to replicate that awe-inspiring moment when the school blocks out the sun. To contrast with the deep blue, we framed the bottom with vibrant purple soft corals, which are characteristic of the rocky, nutrient-rich reefs found in Japanese waters. The result is a design that balances the delicate beauty of the reef with the raw power of the open ocean.