2025/11/14

Why You Should Avoid Oita on Your Japan Trip

boat fishing fishing restaurant Sea to Table

It offers a rare “catch & eat” experience that spoils every other seafood meal you’ll ever have again.

Introduction

I almost hesitate to recommend Oita’s Hosoko Port — not because it’s bad, but because it’s
dangerously good. Before sunrise, the pier is quiet except for waves tapping the hull and the soft hum of the engine.

Once you taste Seki-aji or Seki-saba that you personally hauled from the Bungo Channel — then see it plated that same evening in downtown Oita — “fresh fish” back home will never taste the same again.

This is a place where catch → land → savor all happens in one seamless arc.

Why Visit Oita & Hosoko – Japan’s Hidden Gem

Why spotlight Oita’s Hosoko Port? Because it’s the kind of place Japanese locals love — an under-the-radar treasure barely mentioned in guidebooks.

• ✅ Easy access from Tokyo and Osaka, yet blissfully far from tourist crowds
• ✅ Home waters of Seki-aji and Seki-saba — prized by Japanese food lovers
• ✅ Perfect triangle: fishing port, Oita Station nightlife, and onsen towns like Beppu

Fishing Experience – Step by Step

This time, we introduce Chidori-maru — a well-loved fishing boat based in Hosoko Port.

1. 🛠️ Preparation – We provide all gear and life jackets. Everything is arranged so beginners can feel at ease.
2. 🎣 Cast Your Line – Drop your line into the Bungo Channel and wait for the thrill of your first fish taking the bait.
3. ✨ The Rod Tip Shakes – Feel the excitement as a fish takes the bait, transmitted through the rod.
4. 💪 Reeling in Your Catch – Savor the moment when you subdue a fiercely fighting fish on a single thin line.
5. 🍽️ From Sea to Table – Unlike typical tours, I bridge fishing and dining. Your catch goes to a trusted partner restaurant in Oita City.

✨ This isn’t just fishing. It’s an experience where you can fully immerse yourself in discovery, learning, and Japanese maritime tradition.

Eat Freshly Caught – From Sea to Table

This time, we introduce the renowned restaurant Uodokoro Chidori-maru, where top chefs prepare your freshly caught fish with exceptional freshness.

• 👨‍🍳 From Sea to Kitchen – The chef inspects the fish and prepares it as sashimi, grilled dishes, or soup.
• 🍣 Japan-Style: From Sea to Table – Savor the freshest seafood within hours of being caught.
• 🥢 Cultural Experience – Enjoy Japanese food culture in a cozy local setting.

✨ Unforgettable Memories – Eat fish you caught yourself, fresh that very day. This “catch and savor” experience is truly special and impossible to find on regular tours.

---

🗣️ Participant Feedback – Why This Experience is Chosen

🗣️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I don’t speak Japanese, but from the taxi directions to meeting the captain, everything was clearly arranged in English.
When my rod suddenly bent and the fish splashed beside the boat, I actually shouted.
That night, seeing ‘my fish’ beautifully sliced in downtown Oita felt like stepping into my own travel documentary.”
— Anna (Germany)

🗣️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Our kids kept asking, ‘Are we really going to eat the fish we caught?’
On the boat they struggled at first, but with the captain’s help they each landed a nice Seki-saba.
At the restaurant, when the chef pointed to each fillet and said whose fish it was, they went silent — then burst into huge smiles.
This is the trip they still talk about at the dinner table.”
— Mark & Lily (USA)

🗣️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I’ve eaten at high-end sushi bars, but this was different.
Knowing the fish fought on my line that same morning made every bite unforgettable.
Sitting among locals laughing and drinking, I felt like I had stepped into real Japanese life, not a tourist show.”
— David (Canada)

---

Reservation, Access, and Pricing

Link ✨

The official website for the fishing boat and restaurant featured:

--- Chidori-maru (Hosoko Port, Oita) ---
--- Uodokoro Chidori-maru (Oita City) ---

Warning!
Read this all the way through before making your reservation! Otherwise, you might mess it up.

Budget Guide 💴

✅ Approx. US$200–250 per person (fishing + meal included)
✅ Discounts for women & children
1 USD ≈ 150 JPY

Fishing Difficulty 🎯

Easy · Beginner-friendly · Perfect for families
No experience needed
Note: Catch depends on nature. Success is not guaranteed!

Schedule 🕘

Early Morning (around 6:30–7:00): Meet at Hosoko Port and board Chidori-maru
Morning to Early Afternoon (approx. 7:00–13:00): Offshore fishing in the Bungo Channel for Seki-aji, Seki-saba, and seasonal species
Late Afternoon to Evening (around 15:00–19:00): Enjoy your catch at Uodokoro Chidori-maru near Oita Station, then head back to your hotel

What to Bring 🎒

☀️ In summer, it is very hot, so be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat. For more details, see this link.
Spring/Summer
❄️ In winter, it is even colder than on land, so please bring warmer clothes than usual. For more details, see this link.
Autumn/Winter!
🚚 For busy travelers: We can arrange delivery to your accommodation.

Why Leave Booking & Language Support to Me

Most Japanese fishing boats accept reservations only in Japanese.
Partner restaurants typically do not list “cook-your-catch” courses on public menus.
That’s why I handle direct negotiations and arrangements for a seamless experience.

• ✅ I contact the captain directly in Japanese to secure your spot.
• ✅ Before departure, we will carefully explain the detailed procedures for the day, so you can set off without any worries.
• ✅ This isn't just booking. I know the captains, safe boats, and restaurants that genuinely welcome international guests.
• ✅ If weather cancels fishing, I'll suggest alternative sightseeing options in the area so you don't waste your day.
• ✅ And most importantly: I’m the only guide in Japan specializing in fishing + dining packages for foreign tourists.

Frequently Asked Questions

• “I want to fish in Japan but don't know where to start.”
  👉 Don’t worry — guiding foreign tourists is my specialty.
• “I'm staying in the ___ area. Are there nearby fishing spots?”
  👉 Yes! Share your dates and I’ll propose the best options.
• “Is there a safe boat for kids?”
  👉 Absolutely. I’ll recommend boats with friendly captains and family-ready facilities.
• “I don't understand Japanese. Can I still enjoy it?”
  👉 Of course! I’ll brief you in advance and coordinate with the captain.

How to Access

• 🚄 From Tokyo: Flight from Haneda to Oita Airport (about 1.5–2 hours), then airport bus to Oita Station (about 1 hour), followed by JR Nippo Line to Sakanoshiki Station (about 15 minutes), and taxi to Hosoko Port (about 10 minutes).
• 🚅 From Osaka/Kyoto: Shinkansen to Kokura, then Limited Express “Sonic” to Oita Station (about 4.5–5 hours in total).
• 🚖 From Oita Station: Take JR Nippo Line to Sakanoshiki Station (about 15 minutes), then a taxi to Hosoko Port (about 10 minutes).

💴 Approximate Travel Costs:
Tokyo → Hosoko Port: about ¥20,000–30,000 (roughly US$135–200)
Osaka/Kyoto → Hosoko Port: about ¥15,000–25,000 (roughly US$100–170)
Oita Station → Hosoko Port: around ¥2,000–3,000 total (train + taxi), roughly US$15–20

Summary

Japan offers countless unforgettable experiences, but few combine adventure, culture, and cuisine as perfectly as this sea-to-table journey in Oita.
From casting your line 🎣 to savoring your own catch 🍣, this becomes a story that belongs entirely to you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I’ve traveled across Japan, but this was the only place where morning fishing and evening feasting became one continuous story.
When they helped me find a place to stay nearby, I walked back to the port at night just to see the reflections on the water one more time.
The gentle waves and star-filled sky — that memory follows me everywhere.”
— Robert (UK)

Ready to plan your own “from sea to table” adventure in Japan?
👉 For custom-made plans and booking support, please reach out via the inquiry form below.

Inquiry Form

#CatchAndEat #HiddenJapan #JapanTravel #SeaToTable #VisitOita

• facebook
• Tweet
• hatebu
• LINE
• Read Later