Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat, and six of them show people holding up pink-red fish: a man in a yellow jacket with one in each hand, a woman in a hat and sunglasses with one in each hand, a boy hugging a big one.
Onukimaru sails from Kuji Fishing Port in Hitachi, Ibaraki, on two boats, Onukimaru and Daigo Onukimaru, running shared trips and private charters. The title of its website says to leave hitotsu-tenya red sea bream and light-tackle flounder off Hitachi and Kuji to them.
It holds a 4.6-star rating across 79 Google reviews. Bookings are by phone or LINE, and fishing seats go in the order the phone bookings come in — 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 or LINE, and seats are allotted in the order phone bookings arrive. Bookings close at 9 p.m. the day before. If the weather cancels the trip, the captain phones directly; I'll take that call for you.
- Fill in the boarding list — Before the meeting time, write your name on the boarding list and check your seat number. In October 2026 the meeting time was 5:00 for the sea bream boat, 4:45 for tilefish and 4:15 for octopus.
- Pay at reception — When the captain and the okami (the landlady) arrive, you pay the fare and buy any rigs or sinkers. Ice is handed out after the boat leaves.
- Fish to the captain's call — The captain announces over the microphone when to drop and which depth to fish, and lands the target fish for you.
- Ask the captain to bleed your fish — If you wish, the captain will kill and bleed your fish.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
One of its signature trips is hitotsu-tenya red sea bream: a tenya (a weighted hook rig baited with shrimp). The morning trip runs all year; the afternoon trip runs from July to October. In October 2026 the website said the sea bream and tilefish boats were both doing well.
On 15 October 2026, the date of this article, the sea bream boat reported fish of 0.3–4.0 kg, from 0 to 9 per angler, including fish of 4.0 kg and 3.8 kg. The tilefish boat had a hard day in swell and strong wind, with one 45 cm fish. On 14 October the tilefish boat reported 28–43 cm fish, 1 to 4 per angler, and on 11 October the sea bream boat landed a 5.1 kg fish.
- Red sea bream (hitotsu-tenya) — All year in the morning; tai-rubber (a weighted skirted lure for sea bream) and jigs also work.
- Tilefish — Main line must be PE #1.5; #2 or heavier is not allowed.
- Octopus — Egi-tako (octopus fishing with squid-jig lures), October to December.
- Flounder, cutlassfish and spear squid — Flounder on live sardines from December to March, cutlassfish from January to March, spear squid from March to May.
- Rockfish and blue-water fish — Murasoi, a small rockfish, from May to July, morning lure trips for blue-water fish from July to September.
The sea bream reports also list hanadai (a small sea bream), scorpionfish, grouper, young yellowtail, amberjack, filefish and puffer.
In the photos, a man in a yellow jacket and red cap holds two long pink fish in each hand. A man in a lime-green jacket and a man in a black T-shirt and sunglasses each hold one red fish, and a boy in a black cap hugs a big one. A woman in a black jacket holds a big flat fish, brown with spots, and the last shot is a man holding a silver fish with a yellow tail. I won't name species from photos, though going by the catch reports, the red fish are red sea bream and the long pink ones tilefish.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
A group of three beginners with no gear of their own felt at ease. After a bad experience on another boat, the staff and fellow anglers were so kind that it changed their view of boat fishing; on the tenya red sea bream trip they caught many species besides sea bream. They boarded at 5 a.m., were back around noon, and got a free boxed lunch afterward.
— a Google reviewer
One flounder angler ranks it in their top three: seats are fixed when you book, so there is no need to arrive early, regulars get no special treatment, and the captain announces snag spots.
— a Google reviewer
Another had few bites on the tenya sea bream day, but found the boat clean and the staff friendly — though it is popular and was full, so it may not suit people who want an uncrowded boat.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: http://oonukimaru.jp/
- Roadside Station Hitachi Osakana Center (Akatsu Suisan): http://hitachi-osakana-center.com/shopping/akatsu.html
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 Onukimaru 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 rental set (rod and reel) starts at ¥1,000, rigs from ¥400 and sinkers from ¥200, bought at reception. Rental has to be requested when booking, and I'll ask for it.
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 🕘
Meeting times in October 2026: 5:00 for the sea bream boat, 4:45 for tilefish, 4:15 for octopus. The website gives no return time; one reviewer boarded at 5 a.m. and was back around noon. Bookings close at 9 p.m. the day before.
A few things to know before you book. No spiked boots on board. Cigarette ends go in the ashtray, and one reviewer noted that many anglers smoked. On the tilefish boat, the main line must be PE #1.5.
Daigo Onukimaru, built in 2019, is an 18-ton boat, 20 m long and 5 m wide, with an 808-horsepower engine, a seawater circulation pump, a fish finder, radar, sonar, Tankenmaru, GPS, an air-conditioned cabin, a microwave, men's toilets at the front and back and a Western-style flush toilet. Onukimaru has a seawater pump, a Western-style flush toilet, buckets, a live well, a dual-frequency fish finder, sonar, radar, a thruster, GPS, a plotter, Tankenmaru, and cushions at every seat.
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 Kuji Fishing Port
The boat sails from Kuji Fishing Port, Kujicho 1-1-1, Hitachi. Omika Station on the JR Joban Line is 2.3 km away, about 6 minutes by car; the boat's website says about 20 minutes on foot, and pickup can be requested when booking. By car, the port is 7.5 km, about 12 minutes, from Hitachi-Minami-Ota IC on the Joban Expressway, and 134.2 km from Tokyo Station, about 1 hour 50 minutes.
The boat began around 1955 with shirasu (whitebait) seine fishing, taking anglers out between fishing runs. Its website says the focus moved to angling some twenty-odd years ago, when third-generation captain Shigeo Onuki was in his late twenties, and that he was one of those who started the light-tackle murasoi boom just off Kuji Port. Since 2019, fourth-generation captain Shohei Onuki has skippered Daigo Onukimaru.
Kujihama Beach is close to the port, about 8 minutes on foot (4.2 across 617 Google reviews). Izumi Shrine is 2.7 km, about 6 minutes by car (4.4, 1,457 reviews), and Hitachi Station 11.2 km, about 19 minutes (4.3, 775 reviews). A little further, Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka is 13.0 km, about 23 minutes (4.4, 25,234 reviews), Kamine Park 14.0 km, about 27 minutes (4.2, 2,439 reviews), and Oiwa Shrine 22.0 km, about 37 minutes (4.6, 5,293 reviews). I haven't checked admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
For a place resembling the torii in the photo, Kamiiso no Torii at Oarai Isosaki Shrine in Oarai Town holds 4.5 across 3,723 Google reviews; it is 23.1 km from the port, about 34 minutes by car. I can't tell whether the photo was taken there.
Dinner After the Charter – Ajikatte-don, a Build-Your-Own Seafood Bowl 🍚
The place I pair with this boat is Ajikatte-don (味勝手丼), run by the fishmonger Akatsu Suisan inside Roadside Station Hitachi Osakana Center — 1.9 km from the port, about 4 minutes by car. The boat's own website lists the roadside station as a nearby facility: a fish market that became a roadside station in September 2014, where you can also eat seafood.
As the name suggests, you choose the seafood toppings you like and build your own rice bowl. Reviewers say you can pick plain or vinegared rice, that the fish-bone soup is delicious, and that there is also a seafood barbecue of scallops, oysters, clams and prawns. Others warn that taking too many toppings gets expensive, and one felt it was poor value for money. It holds 3.8 across 467 Google reviews.
It is open 9:00–18:00 (9:00–17:00 from January to March) and closed on Wednesdays (the roadside station's website). If you are back around noon, that is lunchtime.
The website says the shop prepares fish for free — but only fish bought there. Whether they will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed. 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 two-boat outfit out of Kuji Fishing Port in Hitachi, run by the third and fourth generations — hitotsu-tenya red sea bream all year, tilefish and octopus trips in October 2026, flounder, cutlassfish and squid in winter and spring — with the captain calling every drop over the microphone.
Then a build-your-own seafood bowl at the roadside station, about four minutes by car from the port. If you'd like to fish Ibaraki, 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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