Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat, and half of them were taken at night: four anglers, each holding up squid — reddish-brown in three shots, pale and slender in one. The other four are daytime shots — a flatfish, a big silver fish that looks like a trout, and two brown, mottled fish.
Koushin Maru is a shared fishing boat out of Miyako Port in Iwate. Its website puts it simply: "We can sail every day, all day." Its trips are split into time bands from early morning to late at night.
It holds a 4.8-star rating across 10 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 🎣
- Book through me — The boat takes bookings by phone, LINE and an email form. I'll handle it in Japanese.
- Check the board — For morning trips the boat marks go or no-go on the booking table on its website by the evening before; for night trips, by noon on the day.
- Meet at the boarding point — A fishing harbour on the Hei River beside Fujiwara Pier, 2.3 km from Miyako Station.
- Pay in advance — The boat works on a pay in advance basis, and says it has change.
- Fish for about five to six hours — That includes the run out and back.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
Trips run in four time bands: morning (between 5:00 and 12:00), afternoon (12:00–18:00), evening (16:00–22:00; the top page says until 23:00) and late night (22:00–5:00, listed on the top page), shifting with the season. Unless a group charters the whole boat, places are shared.
- Squid — When I checked the booking table on 9 October 2026, most of it was squid: evening trips meeting around 16:00 and late-night trips meeting around 22:00. The boat lists an onboard record of 321 surume squid, dated 30 July 2026, and one reviewer came back for a rematch at ika-metal squid jigging and caught 58.
- Flounder — For flatfish; on the booking table these met around 6:00.
- Boat rockfishing — For greenling and rockfish; up to six anglers.
- Olive flounder and live-bait fishing — Fished with live sardines supplied by the boat.
- Jigging — For olive flounder and migratory fish; on the booking table these met around 5:00.
The boat's records include a 92 cm olive flounder, a 5.1 kg cherry salmon, a 57 cm rockfish and a 56 cm greenling.
In the night photos, a man in a blue hoodie holds up one squid, someone in a clear hood raises a rod high, and a man in black holds a pale, slender squid. A man in a blue jacket punches the air with one hand and lifts a rig with two squid in the other. By day, a man in a hat and sunglasses holds a big silver fish in front of a rocky islet, and a man in the same outfit holds a large mottled fish; another angler in glasses holds a mottled fish upright. I won't guess species from photos.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer found the captain very pleasant: the captain showed them how to fish, untangled their lines and even tied their knots, and they felt looked after from start to finish.
— a Google reviewer
Another calls the captain friendly and easy to go out with, and has been out several times for cherry salmon and flounder.
— a Google reviewer
A third came back for a rematch at ika-metal squid fishing and caught 58.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: https://www.koushinmaru-miyako.com/
- Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/iwate/A0304/A030401/3010830/
- Restaurant on the Miyako tourism site: https://kankou385.jp/sp03/
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 Koushin Maru 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.
The boat prices its shared trips per person, and each kind of trip needs a minimum number of anglers before it sails — two for squid, jigging and olive flounder, three for flounder and boat rockfishing. The whole boat can also be chartered for up to twelve. If you're on your own, the boat asks you to get in touch first, which I'll do for you. Live sardines come with the olive-flounder and live-bait trips, with an extra bait charge for olive flounder. Life jackets must carry the government-approved safety mark, and the boat lends them free.
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 🕘
Squid trips meet around 16:00 in the evening and around 22:00 for the late-night run; morning trips for jigging or flounder meet between about 5:00 and 6:00. Times change with the season.
A few things to know before you book. The deck is hosed down during the trip, so wear rubber boots, and leave spiked boots at home. Bring a headlamp on night trips. When abalone or sea urchin season opens for the day (kuchiake), trips are cancelled or moved.
The main boat, Koushin Maru, is a diesel boat of about 13.1 m and 4.9 tonnes with a fish finder, radar, a water spray at every seat, fishing lights and an electric toilet at the stern; it carries fourteen including the captain, or twelve on a charter. Koushin Maru No. 2 is about 9.8 m long and carries ten including the captain.
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 Koushin Maru
The boarding point is a fishing harbour on the Hei River beside Fujiwara Pier, 2.3 km from Miyako Station, about six minutes by car. Morioka Station is 84.7 km away, about an hour and a half, and Iwate Hanamaki Airport 115.4 km, about two hours. Parking is limited, so the boat asks you to park close together.
The boat is skippered by Captain Ohora; the website greets you with "This is Captain Ohora!"
Jodogahama Beach is 7.1 km from the port, about fifteen minutes by car (4.4 across 2,385 Google reviews). Miyako City Fish and Vegetable Market is 3.1 km away, about nine minutes (3.8, 1,587 reviews), and Seatopia Naado 2.9 km, about seven minutes (3.7, 3,261 reviews).
For a sheer-sided gorge like the one in the photo, Geibikei Gorge is in Ichinoseki in the south of Iwate (4.4 across 5,701 Google reviews) — but it is 139.0 km from the port, over two hours by car. I haven't checked fares, admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
Dinner After the Charter – Izakaya Kenbo 🍶
The restaurant I pair with this boat is Izakaya Kenbo (居酒屋 けんぼ), in Miyako — 2.0 km from the boarding point, about five minutes by car, and 212 m from Miyako Station. According to the Miyako tourism site, the owner fell for Miyako's fish and moved here from Kamaishi; the shop serves only Miyako fish from a fishmonger it trusts, changing with the season every couple of months. It holds a 4.5-star rating across 139 Google reviews.
The Miyako tourism site singles out its five-kind sashimi platter. One reviewer ordered it and got about seven kinds, plus a dish that wasn't on the menu, and found every seat but two at the counter already booked just after opening — so book early. Smoking is allowed inside, and another reviewer mentions coming away smelling of smoke.
It opens 17:00–23:00 and is closed on Sundays (Google and Tabelog). It takes reservations and accepts cards (Tabelog). Morning trips run within a 5:00–12:00 window, well before opening, leaving time for sightseeing; after an evening squid trip, keep an eye on closing time.
Whether they will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed, and since the shop buys its fish from a local fishmonger, they may say no. Please don't build the day around it; if it matters to you, I'll ring them and ask before you book.
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 shared boat out of Miyako Port with trips from early morning to late night — evening and late-night squid, plus flounder, rockfish and jigging — with a captain reviewers call friendly and helpful.
Then Miyako fish at an izakaya near the station. If you'd like to fish Iwate, get in touch and I'll make the call for you.
👉 中文咨询请点击此处 ※使用翻译软件进行处理
Review excerpts on this page are paraphrased from public reviews (mainly Google reviews) of the boat and restaurant. Prices, schedules and details are confirmed at the time of booking.
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