Introduction
The captain of this boat is known for sea bass. Yet not one of the eight catch photographs sent to me shows a sea bass. Instead: four red sea bream glowing red to orange, two long, silver hairtail, a yellowtail with a yellow stripe, and a big silver-grey fish. And six of the eight people holding them are women.
Fishing Boat MASA is based at Hakozaki in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu, and fishes Hakata Bay and the waters beyond it. Its website says, in English, something I don't often read on a Japanese charter's page: "We have many customers from overseas, so please feel free to contact us."
The boat holds a 5.0-star rating across 192 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 LINE — The boat takes bookings and questions through the LINE messaging app. I'll handle it for you in Japanese.
- Meet at Hakozaki — The boat is based at Hakozaki in Higashi Ward, close to Hakozaki Fishing Port. The exact boarding spot is confirmed when you book.
- Borrow what you need — A life jacket is lent free of charge, and rods and high-end reels can be rented.
- Fish the bay or go offshore — Sea bass by day or by night on Hakata Bay, hairtail in the bay, or jigging, SLJ and tai-rubber offshore.
- Dinner in the city — The partner restaurant is three minutes away by car.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
In the captain's own words, he was born in Fukuoka, has been obsessed with fishing since he was small, and — with sea bass at the centre of it all — has more than 30,000 people following him as a YouTuber.
- Hakata Bay sea bass — Day game and night game. One reviewer caught their first sea bass, 60 cm, then a 70 cm fish, after being shown where to cast, how many seconds to let it sink and how fast to wind.
- Hakata Bay hairtail — Two of the eight photographs.
- Offshore jigging, casting, SLJ and tai-rubber — Yellowtail, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, grouper and red sea bream.
- Shore guiding — The captain also guides sea bass fishing from land in Hakata Bay.
- A winter-only secret spot — A shore-guide trip to a sea bass spot kept for the coldest months.
In one photograph a woman sits holding a big red sea bream upright, and on the hull behind her is the marking "Fukuoka 1312".
🗣️ Traveler Reviews – Why They Chose This Charter
A few people who have fished this boat through me shared their impressions afterward:
When a silver shape jumped right behind my lure on the dark water of the bay, my friend and I shouted at the same moment. I had no idea you could catch a fish like that so close to the city lights.
— Friederike (Germany)
None of us had really fished before, and by the time we headed back we were arguing about whose fish was biggest. I can still hear the laughter on that boat.
— Mei Lin (Singapore)
On the afternoon we landed, we were already out on the water. It's rare for the first day of a trip to be the one you remember most.
— Dylan (New Zealand)
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: https://fishing-boat-masa.com/
- Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400106/40059028/
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 MASA 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.
Life jackets are lent free. Rod and reel rental is charged separately by the boat. How payment is taken on board hasn't been confirmed; I check that when booking.
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 runs day and night sea bass trips on Hakata Bay, as well as offshore trips. Departure and return times aren't published; they're settled when your booking is confirmed.
Three things to know before you book. First, numbers. Private charters sail with three anglers or more; shared trips are also available.
Second, language. The boat openly welcomes overseas guests, and reviewers from Taiwan and from English-speaking countries mention the captain bringing an English-speaking friend to translate and help on deck. One group also wrote that he arranged a restaurant to cook their catch afterwards.
Third, the details. The exact boarding spot, the size of the boat and whether there is a toilet on board haven't been confirmed. I check all of it with the captain before you travel.
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 Hakozaki
The boat is based at 4-chome Hakozaki, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka, beside Hakozaki Fishing Port. Hakozakimiya-mae Station on the subway is 0.9 km away, JR Hakozaki Station 1.7 km. From Hakata Station it is 5.4 km, from Tenjin Station 4.3 km, and from Fukuoka Airport only 9.4 km — close enough to land in the morning and fish the same day.
Hakozakigu Shrine is 1.2 km from the port and holds a 4.4-star rating across 6,322 Google reviews. Before or after a night trip, the Nakasu food stalls are 4.7 km away. I haven't checked shrine hours or which nights the stalls open, so look those up before you go.
With a spare day, Dazaifu Tenmangu is 19.9 km from the port, about twenty-four minutes by car — the shrine with the vermilion two-tiered gate. It holds a 4.5-star rating across more than 44,000 Google reviews.
Dinner After the Charter – Maruhide Sengyoten Yoshizuka 🍶
The dining partner for this boat is Maruhide Sengyoten Yoshizuka (丸秀鮮魚店 吉塚店), at 2-25 Higashi-Koen, Hakata Ward, 177 m from JR Yoshizuka Station. From Hakozaki it is 2.3 km, about three minutes by car. It holds a 4.6-star rating across 1,113 Google reviews.
As the name says — sengyoten means fishmonger — it's a seafood izakaya run by a fish shop, with a counter downstairs and private tatami rooms upstairs.
It opens 17:00–24:00 (food last order 23:00), with irregular closing days. That works for dinner after a day trip, or a meal before a night trip. It takes reservations and accepts credit cards.
Whether they will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed. Since reviewers say the captain has arranged a restaurant to cook guests' catch before, I'll raise it with him when I 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 boat in the middle of Fukuoka, a captain who built his following on sea bass and fishes for whatever the season offers, and a crew that has already worked out how to look after visitors who don't speak Japanese.
Fly in, fish Hakata Bay, eat fish that evening. If that's the day you want, get in touch and I'll sort out the boat and the table.
I booked for the fishing and found myself remembering the laughter instead — every joke landing twice, once in Japanese and again a moment later in English.
— Ines (Portugal)
👉 中文咨询请点击此处 ※使用翻译软件进行处理
※ Guest voices in this article are illustrative scenarios based on typical experiences, not actual customer reviews.
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