Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat: a woman flashing a peace sign beside a red fish, a boy lifting two red fish at once, a woman and a little girl holding a pink fish together. There is a long fish with a yellow stripe, a silver fish and a round grey one too.
Tomonomaru is a single 5-ton boat moored at Fukuura Port in Yugawara Town, Kanagawa, on Sagami Bay. It runs mainly komase gomoku (chum fishing for red sea bream, big horse mackerel and other fish) and SLJ (super light jigging), as shared trips or private charters, and the fishing grounds are generally within about 30 minutes of the port.
It holds a 5.0-star rating across 18 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 18:00 the day before. The meeting time is given when you book and is also posted on the boat's schedule page, and rental tackle must be requested at the same time; I'll ask for it.
- Line up your cooler box — When you arrive, set your cooler box down in front of Tomonomaru's berth, then wait in the car park until the meeting time.
- Check in and pick your seat — On shared trips seats go in order of arrival: reception starts with the owner of the first cooler box in the line, and that is when you ask for the seat you want.
- Board and settle in — Collect your ice at the front of the deck, fill in the boarding list, and pay when the captain comes round.
- Fish, then take your catch home — Your fish go home in your cooler box. If you catch more than you can carry, tell the captain and the boat will take the rest free of charge.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
Komase gomoku targets mainly red sea bream and big horse mackerel, near Manazuru and Fukuura, at depths of about 30–120 m. An electric reel is recommended, though light tackle is fine; the boat supplies a 1.5 kg block of krill for chum, and your hook bait comes from the same block. The website's suggested rig uses PE line #2–#5 and a fluorocarbon leader #3–#5.
SLJ changes target with the bait and the sea: blue-water fish (yellowtail and mackerel), rockfish (grouper and scorpionfish) and bottom fish (flounder and red gurnard), near Fukuura at depths of about 10–100 m. In October and November there are also shallow-water rockfish trips and tilefish gomoku. On shared trips, the target is set by whoever books first.
Captain Tomohiko Miyazaki posts catch reports on the website, which is billed as updated daily. On 10 October 2026, five university classmates on a private SLJ trip — four of them new to lures, three on rental tackle — all hooked several shogo (young amberjack) of 30–50 cm. On 11 October a private komase gomoku trip in a typhoon swell found shogo up to 46 cm, young yellowtail and frigate tuna in the shallows, plus a black sea bream and hanadai. On 13 October two anglers on a shared komase trip hooked red sea bream almost at once; the bigger was 55 cm and 2.7 kg.
Not every day is easy: the captain called the 17 and 18 October SLJ trips "a tough catch." On 19 October, with a strong southwest wind forecast, the boat went out only with guests who had agreed to an early finish. Both were new to lures and on rental gear, so the captain held a "how to fish" lesson offshore; they caught young yellowtail, shogo, red gurnard and grouper before heading in at 10:30. The same day's report says a fifth-grader on a first lure trip did the one-pitch jerk better than the adults.
- Red sea bream and horse mackerel — The main komase gomoku targets.
- Shogo and young yellowtail — Caught on several SLJ and komase trips in the October 2026 reports.
- Grouper and red gurnard — Oomonhata, blacktip grouper and red gurnard turned up on SLJ trips in October 2026.
- Isaki and others — Reviewers mention isaki (chicken grunt), filefish, opaleye and horse mackerel.
In the photos, a man in a navy cap and waders sits on the gunwale holding a long fish with a yellow stripe, and a man in a black bucket hat and patterned shirt holds a silver fish. A woman in a grey jacket flashing a peace sign and a man in a white jacket each hold a big red fish. A woman in sunglasses holds up a red fish with large greenish pectoral fins, a boy in a blue neck gaiter holds two red fish, and a woman in an orange life jacket holds a round grey fish. I won't name species from photos alone.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer describes a captain full of hospitality whose wish to see guests catch fish comes through: even as a beginner they were taught carefully and well supported, and came away finding boat fishing fun. The boat is clean, too.
— a Google reviewer
Coming back in early June 2025 for isaki, one angler learned how to work the bait and kept catching even through the slow spell. No other boat has been this easy to consult or this careful, they write — and since the boat isn't big, chartering it with friends, beginners included, would be fun.
— a Google reviewer
Another came with a beginner friend and was taught everything from setting up the tackle to how to fish, and found the catch reports useful: they describe each day's conditions in detail and show which rigs and methods are working.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: https://tomonomaru.com/
- Sushi Chu: https://sushichu-sushi.com/
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 Tomonomaru 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 rental rod and reel set is ¥2,000, with komase sets (electric reels) for every seat and four SLJ sets; request them when booking. Rod holders, power for electric reels, life jackets, sinkers and buckets are free; extra rigs and bait cost extra. For SLJ, bring your own jigs and tai-rubber lures (30–150 g) — they, like PE line and leaders, are not sold on the boat. Ice and bait are included. Parking at the fisheries cooperative car park is ¥1,000 a day, and the captain refunds ¥1,000 per car.
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 🕘
Morning trips run roughly 6:00–11:00 and afternoon trips 12:00–17:00, varying with the season and weather. The meeting time is given when you book. Shared trips normally sail once two or more people have booked, and a private charter lets you choose the target and times. On the boat's schedule, Wednesdays are marked as days off.
A few things to know before you book. Payment is cash only. Cancellations from two days before the trip should be avoided, and one for your own reasons from then on is charged the full fare; if the captain cancels for weather, you are told by 18:30 the day before. Always bring a cooler box. Children of preschool age may be declined. Bring food and drinks, as nothing is sold on board.
The boat was fitted with a new engine and fully renovated in February 2024. It can take up to 10 guests, but for now the captain keeps it to 8. There are two toilets on board, every seat has a rod holder and 12 V power for electric reels, and all the fishing grounds have mobile signal (no Wi-Fi).
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 Tomonomaru in Yugawara
The boat is moored at Fukuura Port in Yugawara Town. Manazuru Station on the JR Tokaido Line is 1.8 km away, about 5 minutes by car; the website says it is about 15 minutes on foot (about 1,000 m), and there is no station pickup. Yugawara Station is 3.3 km away, about 9 minutes by car. By car, the port is 96.4 km, about 1 hour 35 minutes, from Tokyo Station.
Park at the Fukuura Fisheries Cooperative car park, on the sea side next to Minato Shokudo. It is about 200 m, a 3-minute walk, from the berth.
The website says the captain left a career as a banker to start the boat, and promises to support and advise guests from their point of view, drawing on many years of fishing and experience as a deckhand.
Here are some sights around the port. Manazuru Kibune Shrine is 3.7 km, about 10 minutes by car (4.1 across 499 Google reviews), and Iwa Beach 3.0 km, about 9 minutes (4.1, 278 reviews). On Cape Manazuru, the Nakagawa Kazumasa Art Museum is 4.5 km, about 11 minutes (4.1, 116 reviews), Ohayashi Tenbo Park 4.6 km, about 12 minutes (3.8, 205 reviews), and the Mitsuishi Rocks at its tip 5.8 km, about 14 minutes (4.3, 454 reviews). Man-yo Park in Yugawara Onsen is 6.4 km, about 14 minutes (4.1, 1,380 reviews). I haven't checked admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
If you'd like to see a beluga like the one in the photo, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama has them and lists a beluga performance on its website (4.2 across 19,712 Google reviews). It is 92.8 km from the port, about 90 minutes by car, and I can't tell whether the photo was taken there.
Dinner After the Charter – Sushi Chu, an 88-Year-Old Sushi Restaurant in Atami 🍣
The place I pair with this boat is Sushi Chu, in Ginzacho, Atami, just across the border in Shizuoka Prefecture — 9.3 km from the boat, about 17 minutes by car. Its website says it has stood by the Atami sea for 88 years, choosing the best local fish of the day, such as splendid alfonsino, horse mackerel, sakura shrimp and whitebait.
Reviewers praise the local-fish nigiri and rice bowls and the sushi rice, mention a seafood bowl of local fish limited to five servings (with sea bream, raw whitebait, sakura shrimp and yellowtail), and describe it as known for its conger eel, ordering horse mackerel tataki, a conger eel roll and tamagoyaki. Some advise booking ahead. It holds 4.0 across 349 Google reviews.
According to its website, lunch is 11:00–14:30 (last order 14:00) and dinner 17:00–20:00 (last order 19:30). It opens for lunch only on Tuesdays and for dinner only on public holidays, and is closed on Wednesdays. After a morning trip you can make lunch. There is no parking, so use a nearby coin car park; cards and e-money are accepted.
The website says nothing about cooking a catch you carry in yourself, so that hasn't been confirmed. As a sushi restaurant 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 one-boat operation out of Fukuura Port in Yugawara, run by a former banker — komase gomoku and super light jigging on Sagami Bay, rental rods and reels, and a captain who held a lesson offshore for two guests new to lures.
Then sushi of local fish at an 88-year-old restaurant in Atami, about 17 minutes away by car. If you'd like to fish Kanagawa, 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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