Samurai Fishing Written by Shina-Hiro

Why You Should Avoid Hitachi on Your Japan Trip

boat fishing fishing restaurant Sea to Table

Because It’s Too Good: Japan’s Hidden Sea-to-Table Experience

Because once you experience Japan’s only real catch-it-yourself, eat-it-yourself sea-to-table journey,
Tokyo and Osaka will never impress you the same way again.

Introduction

I almost hesitate to recommend Hitachi—not because it’s bad, but because it’s
too good. At dawn, the port air mixes the briny scent of the Pacific with the low rumble of boat engines, and your pulse quietly quickens.
Once you taste a fish you caught yourself—served that very evening at a seaside restaurant on the Chiba coast—ordinary meals back home will feel flat.
This is a place where catch → deliver → savor happens in a single seamless arc.
Not another “famous restaurant crawl”—it’s a journey where you literally eat your own story.

Freshly caught fish in Fukui — dangerously delicious.

Why Visit Hitachi – Japan’s Hidden Gem

Why highlight Hitachi? Because it blends an unpretentious port town with serious offshore fishing—a true under-the-radar sweet spot.

  • ✅ Just about 1.5–2 hours by train from Tokyo, with the port a short taxi ride from the station
  • ✅ Productive offshore grounds where currents meet, attracting tuna, bonito, and powerful game fish
  • ✅ Far from mass tourism, yet close enough to link your catch to a partnered restaurant on the Chiba coast the same day

Townscapes and sightseeing spots in Fukui

Fishing Experience – Step by Step

This time, we introduce Hitachi’s renowned Hitachimaru.

  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 offshore waters of Hitachi 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, the vibration traveling straight through the rod into your hands.
  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 is delivered to a trusted partner restaurant for a same-day feast.

The thrill of reeling in the first catch of the day!

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

Eat Freshly Caught – From Sea to Table

This time, we introduce the renowned restaurant Country House Umiberi, where skilled chefs prepare your freshly caught fish with exceptional freshness. .

  • 👨‍🍳 From Sea to Kitchen – The chef inspects the fish and decides how to turn each one into its best form—sashimi, fried dishes, or warm soup.
  • 🍣 Japan-Style: From Sea to Table – Savor ultra-fresh seafood within hours of being caught, with flavors and textures you won’t find in regular restaurants.
  • 🥢 Cultural Experience – Enjoy Japanese food culture in a cozy local setting, surrounded by the sounds and pace of everyday coastal life.

The freshest catch you've reeled in yourself is transformed into the finest meal by the finest chefs!

✨ Unforgettable Memories – Eating 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

🗣️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“When we arrived at the port before sunrise, the sky was still deep blue and the boat lights were glowing on the water.
I don’t speak Japanese, but everything from meeting the captain to boarding the boat was guided step by step.
The moment my rod bent and the reel screamed, I forgot I was a beginner—I was just laughing and shouting with everyone on board.”
— Hannah (USA)

🗣️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Our kids kept yelling, ‘Is this really the fish we caught!?’ at Umiberi.
When the first plate of sashimi arrived—beautifully arranged—the table went completely silent for a second, then everyone burst out with ‘Wow!’ at the same time.
It was the first time we’d shared a meal that literally started with us holding a fishing rod together.”
— Diego & Laura (Spain)

🗣️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I travel for food, and I’ve eaten at famous restaurants around the world.
But this was the only place where the story began at sea and ended on my plate the same evening.
Every bite carried the memory of the fight on the rod, the sea breeze, and the sound of waves against the hull. I left feeling like I’d tasted Japan in the most honest way possible.”
— Markus (Germany)


Reservation, Access, and Pricing

Link ✨

The official website for the fishing boat and partner restaurant featured in this article:
---Hitachimaru---
---Country House Umiberi---

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

Budget Guide 💴

✅ $230–280 per person (fishing + seafood 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 🕘

Morning: Meet at Hitachi Station or directly at Hitachi Port (fishing boats typically depart between 1:00–6:00 a.m.)
Daytime: Offshore fishing experience around Hitachi (targeting tuna, bonito, and other seasonal species)
Afternoon: Return to port, clean and pack your catch, then drive to the Chiba coast (Asahi area) in about 1.5–2 hours
Evening: Enjoy a sea-to-table dinner at Country House Umiberi, featuring the fish you caught that morning
End: Return to your hotel with a full stomach and unforgettable memories

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.

A family-friendly boat with clean facilities and a kind captain

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: JR Joban Line Limited Express “Hitachi” to Hitachi Station (approx. 1.5–2 hours)
  • 🚅 From Osaka/Kyoto: Shinkansen to Tokyo, then JR Joban Line Limited Express to Hitachi (approx. 4 hours total)
  • 🚖 From Hitachi Station: Taxi to Hitachi Port (about 15–20 minutes)

💴 Costs (approximate):
Tokyo → Hitachi: about ¥4,000 (US$27)
Osaka/Kyoto → Tokyo: about ¥14,000 (US$93)
Hitachi Station → Port: about ¥2,000–3,000 (US$14–20)

Summary

Japan travel offers countless unforgettable moments, but few experiences combine adventure, culture, and fresh seafood quite like this fishing-and-dining package around Hitachi and the Chiba coast.
From the moment you cast your line 🎣 to savoring your catch 🍣, this journey is uniquely mine.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I’ve explored many corners of Japan, but this was the only place where a full fishing trip naturally flowed into a shared meal.
When I mentioned wanting to stretch the day a bit longer, they even helped me find a place to stay nearby.
The gentle rhythm of the waves on the way back and the night sky full of stars—
that one evening still feels vivid, etched in my memory as a moment I never want to forget.”
— Oliver (UK)

Ready to plan your unique Japanese “from sea to table” adventure today?
👉 For custom plans and booking support, contact me below.

Contact Me

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