Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat, and in every one somebody is holding up a big fish. Some are banded, some long and brown. One woman in a black cap wears a jacket with "NAGISA MARU" printed across the chest.
Nagisamaru sails from Wajima Port in Wajima City, Ishikawa, on the north coast of the Noto Peninsula. It runs jigging, bottom-fishing and mixed-bag trips, and a TSURINEWS trip report says it is "especially famous for ara" (sawedged perch). It takes up to 12 anglers, and shared trips sail with two or more.
It holds a 4.9-star rating across 17 Google reviews. Bookings are taken by phone only — the official site asks people not to book by email — and that Japanese phone call is the part I take off your hands.
The Fishing Experience – Step by Step 🎣
- Book through me — Bookings are made by phone, by 9 p.m. the day before at the latest.
- Confirm the night before — Booked guests call the captain after 6 p.m. the day before to check the boat is going out. I'll make that call for you.
- Find the meeting point — The official site says the boat uses the inside of Wajima's First Breakwater (the red breakwater), but the meeting point has changed at times, so I confirm it when booking.
- Draw for your spot — Park in front of the boat and wait for the captain. Fishing spots are decided by drawing lots, then you fill in the passenger list and board.
- Ice and payment — Ice is free from a big cooler in front of the boat, one bucket per person. The fare is paid after you return to port.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
The official site lists a Yanmar 670-horsepower engine, a spanker, an auto-thruster and ballast tanks, a casting deck at the bow and 56 rod stands. There is sonar, a bedroom and a bench, a microwave, an electric kettle and air conditioning. One Google reviewer says the boat is good at both jigging and casting, and that the bow deck makes it easy to fish from.
In a September 2025 TSURINEWS report, the boat left at 5:00 and ran about an hour from Wajima Port to the grounds. An ara of over 7 kg came up that day, and fish from the 5 kg class down to mid-sized ara and small ones of around 500 g came up again and again. Near the bottom it was mazoi and ara; a little higher, oki-mebaru and pufferfish; higher again, kagamidai and surume squid. A big mazoi close to 2 kg came up too, and the writer says that even without an ara there was plenty to take home.
Ara seem to hold in groups, so one fish can mean more are coming. The writer used glow jigs and caught an ara of over 1 kg after switching from 250 g to 300 g, and near the end another angler hooked four ara in a row. The report says regulars, experienced jiggers and beginners can all enjoy it.
An August 2025 report targeted mahata around rocky ground at about 60 m. A big chikame-kintoki came up on the first drop, and the writer set a personal best with a 3.3 kg mahata. According to that report, there are no rules on hook setup for mahata jigging on Nagisamaru.
- Ara — The boat's best-known target, on slow jigs off Wajima.
- Mahata — Jigged around rocky ground at about 60 m.
- Mazoi and oki-mebaru — Rockfish that came up again and again in the September 2025 report.
- Buri, hiramasa and madai — On the official list of target fish, along with flounder, horse mackerel and squid.
In the photos, a man with long hair in a black long-sleeved top hugs a large banded fish, and a woman in a black cap holds a reddish banded fish. A man in a white T-shirt and a woman in a black cap hold a brown fish each, and a man in a white cap and green rain jacket holds a big brown one. A man in a red jacket kneels on deck with a grey-brown fish, a landing net at his feet. A man with sunglasses on his black cap holds a big fish, and a man crouching in sunglasses and a man in a wide-brimmed hat and white shirt each hold a long brown fish. I won't name species from photos alone.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer calls the captain gentle and calm — a good impression from the first phone call — and, now used to the drive to Wajima, plans to keep coming back for summer trips.
— a Google reviewer
Another first came on a tackle-shop tour from Kawasaki: it is a long way, they write, but with catches like that it is worth the trip, and the captain's personality makes you want to return.
— a Google reviewer
A third says the veteran captain's careful service is reassuring.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: http://www.wajima.or.jp/nagisa/
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 Nagisamaru 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-reel tackle set can be rented, and parking is free. Ice comes free from the cooler in front of the boat, one bucket per person. 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 🕘
Bookings are made by phone, by 9 p.m. the day before. Booked guests call after 6 p.m. the day before to confirm the boat is going out. Spots are decided by drawing lots. The September 2025 report had the boat leaving at 5:00; departure times aren't published, so I confirm them when booking. Shared trips sail with two or more anglers. The official site lists up to 12, but the Fishing Vision listing shows 6 or 10 for some trip types, so I check numbers too. The official site also announces a "Bottom-Fish Battle 13" running from 1 August to 30 December 2026.
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 Wajima Port
According to the official site, the boat comes and goes from inside Wajima's First Breakwater (the red breakwater) at Wajima Port, and the September 2025 report met in Wajima too, at a different spot in town. On the day of the August 2025 report, though, the boat left from Asunaro Hiroba at Anamizu Port, 23.5 km south of the boat's Wajima Port berth, about 35 minutes by car. Because the meeting point has changed at times, I confirm it when booking.
There is no railway station in Wajima. Noto Airport (Noto Satoyama Airport) is 19.5 km from the port, about 29 minutes by car, and Kanazawa Station is 111.6 km away, close to two hours. One listing mentions pick-up from Noto Airport; I'll ask whether that still runs. The boat also runs a guesthouse, Minshuku Iroha, and the official site says boat guests get a discount on a room-only stay.
Near the port, the Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces are 11.8 km away, about 20 minutes by car (4.2 across 6,447 Google reviews). I haven't checked admission or their current state, so look that up before you go.
The photo, a veranda and tatami room looking onto a garden with a pond, appears to be the garden of the Nomura-ke Samurai Heritage Residence in Nagamachi, Kanazawa (4.4 across 4,980 Google reviews). It is 113.3 km from the port, about two hours by car, so plan it for a different day from the fishing.
Dinner After the Charter – Sushidokoro Shinpuku, Local Noto Fish in Wajima 🍣
The place I pair with this boat is Sushidokoro Shinpuku, in the Kawai district of Wajima City. On days the boat sails from Wajima Port it is 1.9 km southeast of the boat, about 6 minutes by car. Tabelog lists it as a sushi restaurant, rated 3.48, and it holds 4.4 across 456 Google reviews.
One reviewer says the local Noto fish is noticeably fresh, and others mention Wajima pufferfish karaage, seared nodoguro sushi, and local nigiri with Wajima pufferfish, gurnard, tilefish and amberjack. One says the owner told them only nodoguro over 400 g are served. At lunch there is a local-fish course and a seafood rice bowl, with miso soup free.
According to Tabelog and Google, lunch is 11:30–13:30 and dinner 17:30–21:30; it is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays and takes reservations. Cards, e-money and QR payments are not accepted. It seats 8 at the counter and 16 on tatami, with a private room and parking. One reviewer found about five groups waiting just after a Saturday lunch opening, with Saturday dinner fully booked, so book early. Lunch ends at 13:30 and the boat's return time isn't published, so I'll check whether lunch can work when booking.
Whether it will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed. Before you book, I'll ring them to check.
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 big jigging and bottom-fishing boat out of Wajima Port on the north coast of the Noto Peninsula, best known for ara, with mahata, mazoi and oki-mebaru too — booked by phone, with a meeting point worth confirming each time.
Then local Noto fish at a sushi counter a few minutes from the port, booked ahead. If you'd like to fish Wajima, get in touch and I'll make the calls 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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