Introduction
Nine catch photographs from this boat: a woman lifting a big pink fish, a woman holding up a slender red fish with a jig still in its mouth, a man holding a spiny red fish in both hands. Two more show a brown fish with bands.
Daijuhachi Shineimaru sails from Neya Fishing Port in Murakami City, Niigata, on the Sea of Japan. It runs shared trips and private charters, and the target changes with the season: red sea bream in spring, akamutsu and ara on the mid-deep grounds from late April to October, and yellowtail jigging in winter. The run out to the grounds takes about an hour.
It holds a 4.9-star rating across 15 Google reviews. Bookings are taken by phone with the captain — that Japanese back-and-forth is the part I take off your hands.
The Fishing Experience – Step by Step 🎣
- Book through me — Bookings close at 19:00 the day before. Even after booking, guests are expected to call by 19:00 the day before to confirm whether the boat is going out; I'll do that for you.
- Park and wait by the boat — Parking is free. When you reach the berth in the morning, don't board; wait in front of the boat for the captain to arrive.
- Take your seat — Seats are assigned in order of booking.
- Run out to the grounds — The trip out to the fishing grounds takes about an hour.
- Pay and head home — Back at the port, you pay for the trip and the day is done.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
The Fishing Vision listing describes the captain as someone who worked for 30 years as a commercial fisherman specialising in one-line fishing, now taking guests out off Neya. The boat focuses on electric-reel fishing and spring red sea bream jigging, with blue-water fish and more too, and the captain aims to keep groups small.
Spring is red sea bream season. In 2026 the captain's blog announced the opening on 22 February; on a private charter on 26 February the best red sea bream was over 70 cm and 4,000 g, with yellowtail up to 8 kg, tilefish and ara mixed in. On 27 March the boat took 14 red sea bream plus plenty of scorpionfish, kijihata (red-spotted grouper) and mazoi (rockfish), and the blog notes that black and black-and-gold colours drew plenty of bites.
From late April the boat fishes the mid-deep grounds for akamutsu (rosy seabass, also called nodoguro), ara (sawedged perch) and onikasago (devil stinger), taking both bait anglers and lure anglers. On 23 May it landed 71 onikasago; on 19 July an akamutsu weighed over 2 kg on the boat's scales; on 19 September there were 12 akamutsu; and on 18 October six, including a first one for a lure angler. In 2026 bluefin tuna trips were scheduled from June to early August, autumn has some night squid trips, and from November to January the boat jigs for winter yellowtail — a 10 kg fish on 24 November 2025, and fish of 8–10 kg on 24 December. The Fishing Vision listing also shows a half-day trip for black rockfish and kijihata with jigs or a sabiki rig.
The blog is honest about slow days, too. On 10 October 2026 a fast current made it a hard day for lure anglers, and on the 11th the three good akamutsu, around 1.5 kg, all went to bait anglers. Mackerel and pufferfish swarming the rigs and a two-layer current come up often, and in winter sharks have taken hooked yellowtail. On 24 December 2025, with guests who had travelled four and even five hours from outside the prefecture, the captain brought the boat in before sunset for safety.
- Red sea bream — The spring jigging target, with yellowtail, tilefish and rockfish mixed in.
- Akamutsu, ara and onikasago — The mid-deep targets from late April to October, on bait or lures.
- Winter yellowtail — Jigging from November to January.
- Rockfish — Groupers such as mahata (sevenband grouper) and kijihata, plus mazoi, scorpionfish and black rockfish.
In the photos, a woman in a grey cap and light-blue jacket holds up a big pink fish. A woman in a black hood and a man in blue bib trousers each hold a brown fish with bands, and a woman in a white knit hat lifts a slender red fish with a jig in its mouth. A man in a lime-green sweatshirt and a man in sunglasses and a black T-shirt each hold a red fish on a jig, a man in glasses holds a pale fish, and a man in an orange jacket and a man in yellow bib trousers hold spiny red fish. I won't name species from photos alone.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer is in their eighth year of coming, fishing everything from inshore to the mid-deep grounds all year round, and caught a first akamutsu on this boat. The captain's character is the best, they write, and beginners are taught kindly and carefully.
— a Google reviewer
Another started with spring red sea bream. The captain keeps telling you the depth where fish are showing on the sounder, and even explains how to cook the catch so it tastes good. A first-timer who checks the line size and jig weight when booking, they say, can board without worry.
— a Google reviewer
A third praises a captain who keeps every season fun, from spring red sea bream to midwinter yellowtail, with lively, cheerful fishing.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Fishing Vision listing: https://www.fishing-v.jp/choka/shop.php?s=11698
- Captain's blog: http://blog.livedoor.jp/no18shineimaru/
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 Daijuhachi Shineimaru 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? A hand-cranked rental reel set is ¥3,000. Ice is ¥500 and parking is free. The listing notes that prices may have changed, so I'll confirm the current fare before you book.
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 🕘
Neither the listing nor the blog gives departure times, so I'll confirm them when booking. Bookings close at 19:00 the day before. Seats are assigned in order of booking, and on days with no bookings yet, the first group to book sets the target. In April 2026 the captain set a minimum of four guests for a trip to go ahead. There are no fixed closing days.
From June to late August the captain also free-dives for abalone and rock oysters, so trips run mainly on Tuesdays and Saturdays; in January and February they run mostly at weekends. The boat has a fish finder, radar, DGPS, a generator and a toilet, and the captain can recommend a place to stay.
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 Neya Fishing Port
The boat sails from Neya Fishing Port in Murakami City. The landmark is the Niigata Fishery Cooperative Sanpoku Branch, about 0.1 km from the boat. Gatsugi Station on the JR Uetsu Line is 1.3 km away, about 18 minutes on foot (the listing says about 15), and Fuya Station is 4.6 km, about 7 minutes by car. From Niigata Station it is 97.0 km, about 91 minutes by car.
Here are some sights around the port. Sasagawa Nagare, a stretch of Sea of Japan coastline, is 14.1 km, about 17 minutes by car (4.4 across 698 Google reviews). Just across the border in Yamagata Prefecture, Benten Island at Nezugaseki is 10.3 km, about 14 minutes, and Atsumi Onsen 20.4 km, about 24 minutes. Iyoboya Kaikan, a salmon museum in Murakami City, is 33.1 km, about 39 minutes (4.2, 726 reviews). I haven't checked admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
The photo appears to be Takada Castle, lit up at night among cherry blossoms. Takada Castle Site Park is in Joetsu, in southwestern Niigata (4.2 across 4,300 Google reviews) — 226.8 km from the port, about 175 minutes by car, so it isn't a stop for a fishing day.
Dinner After the Charter – Nagi no Terrace Naka, a Seaside Home Restaurant 🍣
The place I pair with this boat is Nagi no Terrace Naka, on the coast at Goishi, 1.7 km north of the boat — about 4 minutes by car. The Murakami City Tourism Association describes it as a restaurant in a private home, facing the Sea of Japan with Awashima island floating opposite, serving handmade dishes of local ingredients built around seasonal seafood. It holds 4.7 across 57 Google reviews.
Reviewers say the owners renovated the husband's family home and the wife, a fine cook, serves the food. They mention sweet shrimp fried whole, miso soup with hokke fish balls and a seasonal rock-seaweed set, and one regular has been for lunch more than five times without ever getting the same dishes. Others walked on the beach right in front of the restaurant and enjoyed the sea view.
According to the tourism association, it opens on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, 11:30–14:00, and booking by noon the day before is required. Lunch is a chef's-choice set, the Nagi set or the Naka set (prices as of May 2024). It seats 14 and has parking for eight cars, and a reviewer notes it is cash only. Evening meals are available on request with a booking, so after a full-day trip I'll ask about dinner.
Whether it will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed. Before you book, I'll ring them to check that along with the evening option.
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 Sea of Japan boat out of Neya Fishing Port in Murakami, run by a captain with 30 years as a one-line commercial fisherman — spring red sea bream, akamutsu and ara on the mid-deep grounds, and winter yellowtail, with a blog that reports the slow days as plainly as the good ones.
Then seasonal seafood at a seaside home restaurant 4 minutes up the coast, booked ahead. If you'd like to fish Niigata, 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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