Introduction
Eight photographs came back from this boat, and four of them were red sea bream. A young woman in glasses and a purple hood, grinning, holds hers up with the tai-rubber lure still in its mouth — red body, flecked with blue. A boy with headphones round his neck gives a peace sign with his.
Fishing Boat Takahashi sails from Shirakata Fishing Port in Tadotsu, Kagawa, on the island of Shikoku, into the Seto Inland Sea. Its website has something I rarely see: for each kind of fishing, a table of exactly what to bring. For tai-rubber, set your drag to 0.6–0.8 kg; spool at least 100 m of #0.6–#1.0 braid; tie on about 3 m of #3–#5 fluorocarbon leader; bring 60 g heads, plus 45 g tungsten for the shallows.
The boat holds a 5.0-star rating across 21 Google reviews. The reservation and all the back-and-forth in Japanese is the part I take off your hands.
The Fishing Experience – Step by Step 🎣
- Download the boarding app — Before your trip, every angler needs a Japanese digital boarding-register app on their phone. I'll help you set it up.
- Find the port — Head for Shirakata Fishing Port and keep going to its northern end, where there's parking. The operator warns that navigation apps may not show the land there.
- Put on your life jacket — A life jacket is worn on board, and the boat lends one free of charge.
- Fish the Shiwaku Islands — The boat works the Seto Inland Sea from the Shiwaku Islands to the Shonai Peninsula, following the season.
- Handle your own catch — The boat asks you to bring cable ties to mark your fish; hairtail, squid and scorpionfish go straight into your own cooler, not the live well.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
The boat's catch calendar reads less like a list of seasons and more like a set of instructions.
- Red sea bream on tai-rubber — April to December is the season; "if you work at it, you can catch them all year."
- Hairtail — September to around March. Jigs are 100 g across the board, and hooks must be barbless.
- Sea bream on sabiki rigs — January to early April, with #30 sinkers. Bleed and kill your own fish; if you want the nerve destroyed too, bring it to the stern afterwards.
- Bigfin reef squid — casting in early September, then tip-run until the end of October.
- Scorpionfish and more — bait fishing in January to May, plus small octopus, rockfish, jack mackerel and jigging for croaker.
The photographs follow the calendar: an older man in a pink cap with a flounder; a man in a black knit cap with a yellowtail, its tail fin bright yellow; a man in camouflage hugging a big yellowtail; another holding up a squid. In one frame, a sign on the wheelhouse gives the maximum load as 13 people.
🗣️ Traveler Reviews – Why They Chose This Charter
A few people who have fished this boat through me shared their impressions afterward:
The night before, reading through the boat's list of what to bring, I was honestly a bit intimidated. Out on the water, all that detail turned into reassurance. It's the first trip where I never once wondered whether I'd packed the right thing.
— Laura (Uruguay)
On the last narrow stretch of road to the port, we nearly stopped the car three times to check we were in the right place. When the boat finally appeared at the end, everyone in the car burst out laughing.
— Pekka (Finland)
Threading between the islands, the sea was as still as a lake. Even the bowl of noodles we ate on the way home, at a little place we'd been pointed to, is part of one continuous memory of that day.
— Sunil (Sri Lanka)
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: https://www.yuugyosentakahashi.jp/
- Restaurant: https://eemonya.net/
- Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/kagawa/A3702/A370202/37003262/
Important:
Read the full pricing and schedule section before reserving — the departure time varies by season and by trip type!
Budget Guide 💴
A day aboard Fishing Boat Takahashi runs $200–$300 per person. That covers arranging the trip, negotiating the booking with the boat in Japanese, and English-language support before and on the day.
A few things sit outside that. Rod and reel rental is charged separately by the boat. Payment on board is cash only. Children under 12 have their own fare, and there is no age restriction for children as long as a parent keeps an eye on them.
Fishing Difficulty 🎯
Solo Travelers · Couples & Small Groups · Age limits and group minimums are set by each boat
Tackle rules differ too — some boats hire out rods and reels, some hire out nothing but life jackets. I confirm this boat's rules with the operator before you book; what is already confirmed for this one is in the Schedule section above.
Note: Catch results depend on nature — success is never guaranteed!
Schedule 🕘
The boat doesn't publish fixed departure or return times; its fares are for "one day", and its business hours run from sunrise to 20:00. The meeting time gets settled when your booking is confirmed. Whether the boat goes out is decided on the weather forecast at 19:00 the evening before.
Three things to know before you book. First, numbers. Since April 2026 the boat needs at least two anglers to sail, and the captain asks solo anglers to book early so a trip can come together.
Second, the rules on deck. Wear your life jacket at all times outside the cabin. Stay seated while the boat is moving. Hooks can fly loose while a fish is being landed, so the boat recommends safety glasses or sunglasses. Smoking is allowed only in a designated spot.
Third, the details. There is a private flush toilet, and hot water on board. Whether ice is supplied or you bring your own hasn't been confirmed — the site says both in different places — so I check that when booking. Cancellation is free up to three days before; half the fare two days out; the full fare the day before or on the day, unless weather cancels the trip.
What to Bring 🎒
☀️ Spring/Summer: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, plenty of water, and light snacks. The deck is fully exposed — no shade. Stay hydrated, especially on early-morning departures and the return leg.
❄️ Autumn/Winter: The sea is colder than on land. Dress at least two layers warmer than you would ashore, and bring a windproof outer layer.
👟 Footwear: Water-resistant shoes or sandals that can get wet and won't slip on a wet deck.
📦 Optional: Motion sickness tablets if you're prone to seasickness, a towel, a change of clothes, and a camera.
🚚 For travelers continuing to another city: Cool-pack delivery of your catch to your next accommodation can be arranged on request.
Full seasonal gear details: Spring/Summer Gear Guide · Autumn/Winter Gear Guide
How to Get to Shirakata Fishing Port
According to the boat, Kaiganji Station on the JR Yosan Line is about five minutes by car, 1.5 km. From Tadotsu Station it is 3.5 km; from Marugame Station 7.6 km; from Takamatsu Station 42.1 km.
The one thing to remember: on Google Maps the spot where the boat leaves may not show up as land. Aim for Shirakata Fishing Port, follow the narrow road north, and keep going to the northern end, where there's space for about ten cars.
From the port it is 8.3 km, about thirteen minutes by car, to Marugame Castle, and 18.1 km, about twenty-three minutes, to the shrine of Kotohira-gu. I haven't checked opening hours or admission, so look those up before you go.
In Kanonji, where the captain's business is based, is Takaya Shrine, whose hilltop gate — known as the Gate in the Sky — frames the town and the sea far below. It is 21.0 km from the port, about thirty-seven minutes by car, and holds a 4.6-star rating across 3,117 Google reviews.
And one very Kagawa detail: two separate Google reviewers mention the udon place the captain recommended after their trip. It's worth asking him.
Dinner After the Charter – Kaishokudokoro Eemonya 🍶
The dining partner for this boat is Kaishokudokoro Eemonya (海食処 笑門家), a seafood izakaya at 7-11 Higashihama, Tadotsu, opposite the Tadotsu ferry terminal. From the port it is 2.4 km, about four minutes by car. It holds a 4.1-star rating across 245 Google reviews.
It describes itself as a seafood izakaya using fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea. The menu runs to simmered sea bream head, sashimi platters and octopus tempura.
Lunch is 11:00–14:00 and dinner 17:00–22:30 (to 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays); it is closed on Tuesdays and shut between lunch and dinner. With no fixed return time, dinner is the safer plan. It takes reservations, and it accepts cash or credit card.
Whether they will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed, so please don't build the day around it; if it matters to you, I'll ring them and ask before you travel.
Why Book Your Charter Through Me?
Most Japanese fishing boats accept reservations only in Japanese.
Partner restaurants typically do not advertise "cook-your-catch" or sushi-making courses on public-facing menus.
That's why I handle all direct negotiations and arrangements — so your day runs without friction.
- ✅ I contact the captain directly in Japanese to confirm your date, party size, and preferred fishing style.
- ✅ Before departure, I'll walk you through the full day schedule so you arrive confident and prepared.
- ✅ I coordinate the dining experience and meal timing at the partner restaurant so everything connects seamlessly.
- ✅ I handle any allergy, dietary, or special-requirements communication with the restaurant.
- ✅ If bad weather forces a cancellation, I'll immediately propose alternative sightseeing options so your day isn't wasted.
- ✅ On-call support in English throughout the day for anything that comes up.
- ✅ I am the only guide in Japan specialising in fishing + dining packages for international travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- "I want to try fishing in Japan but have absolutely no idea where to start." 👉 That is exactly what I am here for — guiding international travelers through the whole process is my specialty.
- "I only have one day here. Can I really fit fishing into my itinerary?" 👉 Often, yes — but departure and return times vary enormously, from pre-dawn starts to trips that finish after dark. See the Schedule section above for this boat, tell me your dates, and I'll work out what fits around the rest of your trip.
- "Is it safe for kids and beginners?" 👉 Wearing a life jacket is the rule on Japanese charter boats, and many of the boats I work with take complete beginners. Age limits are set by each operator, though, and some do not take children at all — so check the Schedule section above, or ask me and I'll confirm before you book.
- "I don't speak any Japanese. Will I be able to manage on the boat?" 👉 Of course. I brief you thoroughly in English beforehand and stay in contact throughout the day for anything that comes up.
- "Can I rent fishing gear on the day?" 👉 It depends on the boat. Some hire out rods and reels; others hire out nothing but life jackets and expect you to arrive with your own tackle. I check what this boat does before you book, and if you need to bring your own I'll pass on the exact specifications it asks for.
- "What if the weather is bad on my day?" 👉 Safety always comes first. If the charter is cancelled due to rough seas, I'll have an alternative day plan ready for you immediately.
- "Do all plans require a minimum group size?" 👉 It varies by boat and by plan — some take solo anglers on a shared boat, while a private charter often sets a minimum. Tell me your party size and I'll find the plans that work for it.
Summary
A small boat among the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, run by a captain who writes down exactly what you need, from drag setting to leader length, and who will send you off to a good bowl of udon afterwards.
If you have your own gear, his tackle tables will tell you what to pack. If you don't, I'll arrange the rental and the boarding app, and book dinner at Eemonya for when you come ashore.
My brother and I argued the whole way to the port about whose rod set-up was right. By the second drop we'd both quietly changed to exactly what the boat's list had said.
— Nkosana (South Africa)
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※ Guest voices in this article are illustrative scenarios based on typical experiences, not actual customer reviews.
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