Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat, and every one shows someone holding a fish with yellow fins — in most, a long fish held upright, in some with its head above the angler's.
Kosyo-maru sails from Kawazu, in Katsuura on the Sotobo coast of Chiba, jigging and casting for hiramasa (yellowtail amberjack), warasa (young yellowtail), yellowtail and other blue-water fish. Trips are mainly shared, in the morning and the afternoon, and a private charter can be arranged if you ask in advance.
It holds a 4.8-star rating across 129 Google reviews. Bookings are taken by phone — that Japanese back-and-forth is the part I take off your hands.
The Fishing Experience – Step by Step 🎣
- Book through me — The boat takes bookings by phone. The meeting time is given when you book, and rental tackle must be requested at the same time; I'll ask for it.
- Pick your seat — In front of the boat's office, take a magnet (a numbered tag) to choose your fishing seat, then wait at the port until the meeting time.
- Check in at the boat — Reception is in front of the boat. You fill in the boarding list on the bed of a small pickup truck and pay. Load your gear, then move your car to the free parking area as the staff direct you.
- Get a lesson — If you would like to be shown how to fish, tell the staff. They will also tie the knot between your braided line and leader.
- Fish, then wash up — The trip ends back at the port. There is tap water there for rinsing your tackle.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
This is a jigging and casting boat. The website's suggested jigging tackle is a size-8000 high-gear reel, PE line #4 and jigs of 100–200 g; for casting, a size 8000–14000 reel, PE line #4–#5 and topwater plugs of 16–19 cm.
Captain Ryosuke Kissei's blog posts the catch from each trip. On 8 October 2026, after a typhoon, the boat landed three hiramasa by jigging, with sanpaku (young greater amberjack) and amberjack among them. On 9 October a fish well over 20 kg was hooked, but a shark got it. Over the October holiday weekend the catch included red sea bream, hiramasa, young yellowtail, sanpaku and mackerel tuna, and a woman angler landed a good-sized moroko (longtooth grouper).
A midday post on 18 October said that on boat No. 1 "someone hooked up on every drift"; guests using rental tackle landed fish too, and the catch included hiramasa, sanpaku and a good-sized red sea bream. An evening post that day said boat No. 2, out on a day charter, caught mahi-mahi, mackerel tuna, blacktip grouper, a tiger puffer and amberjack; there was one hiramasa bite, which didn't hook up. Red sea bream also take jigs: on 16 October a guest using all-rental gear caught one, and the captain wrote that he was surprised a sea bream would go for such a big jig.
- Hiramasa — The boat's main target, by jigging and by casting topwater plugs.
- Warasa and yellowtail — Listed as targets on the website alongside hiramasa.
- Sanpaku and amberjack — Regular catches in the October 2026 reports.
- Red sea bream, grouper and others — Moroko, blacktip grouper, mahi-mahi and mackerel tuna also turned up in October 2026.
In the photos, a woman in a black cap and a mint-green jacket cradles a big silver fish with a yellow tail. A man in a yellow cap and sunglasses, a man in a navy cap and a woman in white each hold a long fish upright, as do a smiling man in a black cap, a man giving a thumbs-up in an orange-and-black jacket, and a man in a grey jacket. In one shot, a man in a blue jacket and a woman in a blue cap hold a silver fish between them. I won't name species from photos, though going by the blog, they are likely hiramasa, warasa and sanpaku.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One angler made their first offshore trip on Kosyo-maru: the captain, the deckhand and the landlady are all kind, you can rent Daiwa's top-end tackle even without gear of your own, and the deckhand is a skilled angler who explains things carefully. The boat is big, clean and tidy.
— a Google reviewer
On a first try at jigging and at hiramasa, the crew checked the leader and tied the knot before departure. The boat was spotless, the captain's passion showed, and on the way home there was a free inari-sushi lunch box and tea.
— a Google reviewer
A beginner at blue-water fish rented the tackle, bought three jigs on a tackle shop's advice, got a lesson and had the jig tied on before departure — and despite seasickness in the Sotobo swell, landed a sanpaku.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: http://kosyo-maru.jp/
- Isabaya (Isumi Tobu Fisheries Cooperative): https://isabaya.jp/
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 Kosyo-maru runs $200–$300 per person. That covers arranging the trip, booking the boat in Japanese, and English-language support before and on the day.
No gear? Rental tackle is ¥2,000 and is limited in number, so it has to be requested when booking; the price page says it is for jigging only, while the FAQ says both jigging and casting sets are available, so I'll confirm which you need. Bring your own jigs — they are not sold on the boat. Ice is included, life jackets are lent free, and a boxed lunch can be ordered for ¥600 on weekdays.
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 🕘
There are morning and afternoon trips. The website gives no departure times; the meeting time is given when you book. According to the captain's blog, the port is closed on the third Saturday of the month.
A few things to know before you book. Children of junior high school age and under cannot board, for safety (the boat asks you to consult them). Same-day cancellations for your own reasons may be charged. If you have no cooler, the boat can provide a polystyrene box for a fee. One reviewer was seasick in the Sotobo swell, so take precautions if you need them.
Kosyo-maru, boat No. 1, was built new in 2019 by Ishiguro Shipyard: 20 m long and 4.8 m wide, with a top speed of 28 knots, a bird radar and a 3D plotter. Boat No. 2, JARO, is a Yanmar EX40, 13 m long and 3 m wide, with a top speed of 32 knots, a bird radar and sonar. There are vending machines at the port.
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 Kosyo-maru in Katsuura
The boat sails from the Kawazu District of Katsuura East Fishing Port, Kawazu 1631, Katsuura. Katsuura Station on the JR Sotobo Line is 1.9 km away, about 6 minutes by car; the website says about 4 minutes by taxi, and the boat will pick you up at the station if you let them know in advance (not late at night). Tokyo Station is about 1 hour 30 minutes away by limited express. By car, the port is 101.3 km, about 1 hour 46 minutes, from Tokyo Station, and 46.1 km, about 58 minutes, from Ichihara-Tsurumai IC on the Ken-O Expressway.
The website's greeting says the boat has been running for 47 years and that Captain Ryosuke Kissei is the third generation. Of all the fish he has caught, hiramasa is the one that won him over; he was moved by his first — "Is the rod going to break? Is there really a fish that pulls this hard?" — and writes that beginners are welcome. A staff member who has worked on the boat since April 2017 writes that the fishing itself is not difficult and that there are beginners aboard almost every day.
Here are some sights around the port. Katsuura Morning Market is 1.3 km, about 4 minutes by car (3.6 across 2,171 Google reviews), and Tomisaki Shrine 1.4 km, about 4 minutes (4.2, 987 reviews). Cape Hachiman Park is 2.3 km, about 6 minutes (4.1, 819 reviews), and Katsuura Central Beach 2.1 km, about 5 minutes (4.1, 261 reviews). A little further, Katsuura Marine Park Underwater Observation Tower is 6.0 km, about 12 minutes (4.0, 1,012 reviews), Ubara Utopia 6.2 km, about 13 minutes (4.3, 766 reviews), and Moriya Beach 7.1 km, about 13 minutes (4.3, 1,387 reviews). I haven't checked admission, opening hours or market days, so look those up before you go.
For a place resembling the cliff in the photo, Jigoku Nozoki on Mount Nokogiri, inside Nihon-ji Temple in Kyonan Town, holds 4.3 across 2,109 Google reviews; it is 61.2 km from the port, about 90 minutes by car. I can't tell whether the photo was taken there.
Dinner After the Charter – Isabaya, a Fishermen's Cooperative Diner 🍚
The place I pair with this boat is Isabaya, a diner run directly by the Isumi Tobu Fisheries Cooperative by Ohara Fishing Port in Isumi — 15.8 km from the boarding point, about 26 minutes by car. Its website says it buys fish picked by fishermen every day and wants you to taste fish landed at the port right in front of it.
The menu lists octopus rice sets, seafood rice bowls, sashimi platters, local octopus as sashimi or tempura, namero (minced raw fish), sanga-yaki (grilled minced fish), clams and simmered kinmedai, changing with the season. Reviewers praise the octopus rice and the five-kind sashimi platter, and note that only local fish is served. Others warn that a line forms 30 minutes before opening and seats are few, so arrive about 20 minutes early to get in on the first round. It holds 3.7 across 731 Google reviews.
It is a lunchtime diner, closed on Tuesdays, the third Wednesday and over the New Year (the website). On weekends and holidays it opens 10:00–15:30 (last order 15:00); on weekdays the website gives two different opening times, 10:30 and 11:30, closing at 14:30 (last order 14:00). It takes no reservations and sometimes closes at short notice, so I'll check before the day.
The website says nothing about cooking a catch you carry in yourself, so that hasn't been confirmed. As a cooperative diner serving local fish, 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 jigging and casting boat out of Kawazu in Katsuura, run by a third-generation captain who fell for hiramasa — two boats, morning and afternoon trips, rental tackle, and a crew that ties your knots and shows you how before you leave the port.
Then lunch on local fish at a fishermen's cooperative diner in Ohara, about 26 minutes away by car. If you'd like to fish Chiba, 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.
Comments