Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat: a long silver fish with a yellow stripe, a blue-green fish with wavy markings on its back, a fish with a round, puffed-up white belly, and two red fish. Adults and a child, showing off their catch on the boat.
Kotorimaru (Fishing Guide Treasure) sails from Shiogama in Miyagi out into Sendai Bay. According to its website, the captain holds Japan's national licence as a specialist Japanese-cuisine chef, and while you fish they explain how to dispatch and bleed your catch, clean it, store it and cook it.
It holds a 5.0-star rating across 15 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 me — I'll handle the booking with the boat in Japanese.
- Wait for the go-ahead — Every plan sails once three anglers have booked; two can go for an extra charge per person.
- Meet at Higashi-Shiogama Station — The Japanese page gives 5:45 at the station, about 30 minutes by train from Sendai on the Senseki Line.
- Head out past Matsushima — The boat leaves around 6:00 and reaches the fishing grounds around 7:00. There are no assigned spots on deck.
- Fish until early afternoon — Back on shore around 14:00.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
Shared trips are split by fishing ground, and times change with the season, the weather and the sea.
- Large artificial reef area — A mix of red sea bream, horse mackerel, rockfish and flounder; the boat says first-timers and children enjoy it.
- Off Watari — Red sea bream on tai-rubber, jigs and tenya, plus gurnard, olive flounder and tiger puffer.
- Around Tashirojima and Ajishima — From the rocky reefs around the islands to sandy bottom: horse mackerel, mackerel, young yellowtail, olive flounder, greenling and rockfish.
- Kinkasan — Described as the captain's specialty: a large reef zone east of the Kinkasan lighthouse for greenling and rockfish, aiming for one over 50 cm.
- Casting trips to the payao — A run out to a fish-aggregating buoy for big migratory fish.
The boat also runs what it calls the Ultimate Gomoku trip, where the captain doesn't fix on one species and chases whatever is biting that day. The boat's reports from 30 September 2026 mention plenty of giga-aji, plump Kinkasan mackerel and olive flounder; the 4 October report says the giga-aji were biting well and a cushion-sized olive flounder came up.
In the photos, someone in a red life jacket holds up a long silver fish with a yellow stripe; a man in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses holds the blue-green fish; someone in a red jacket holds a silver fish with a yellow tail; and someone in a headscarf holds the puffed-up fish with a fish grip. On a cloudy day, two young men each hold a silver fish, and someone with long hair holds up a big silver one. A child holds a red fish with wide pectoral fins, and in the last shot two anglers pose with a red fish and a large silver fish with a yellow stripe. I won't guess species from photos.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer came as a complete beginner and found the skipper kind and friendly; they ended up catching a lot of fish, and the experienced anglers on board were happy too.
— a Google reviewer
Another came alone for a first-ever fishing trip with all-rental gear, bringing only lunch, water and sun protection. They were taught all sorts of things on board, and the nerves vanished once fishing began.
— a Google reviewer
A group of four university friends caught a big cod, nobody got seasick, and they had their catch filleted at a nearby supermarket to round off the day.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: https://www.kotorimaru.com/
- Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/miyagi/A0404/A040404/4000178/
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 Kotorimaru 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.
The boat prices its shared trips per person by fishing ground, with casting trips to the payao costing more. The whole boat can also be chartered for up to seven for a full day. Beginner rental tackle is available for an extra fee, including a rod, reel, life jacket, fish grip and cooler; rigs, weights, bait, lunch, drinks and a box to take your fish home are yours to bring. Life jackets must carry the sakura (cherry-blossom) safety mark, and the boat lends them free.
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's Japanese page lays out a typical day: meet at Higashi-Shiogama Station at 5:45, leave around 6:00, reach the grounds around 7:00 and land at 14:00. When guests come by train, the boat times things to the arrival of the first train from Sendai. If you're driving, the boat asks you to say so when booking because parking is limited.
A few things to know before you book. Every plan needs three anglers to sail. Wear rubber boots or non-slip shoes; the boat advises against sandals. If the captain calls off the trip, there is no cancellation fee; otherwise the boat's cancellation policy applies, and I'll go through it with you.
The boat is a YFR24 FSR with a 175 PS engine and room for seven. It has an electric marine toilet, a cabin, international VHF radio, Garmin radar and fish finder, USB power, 26 rod holders and a cooler live well.
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 Kotorimaru
The boat sails from Kuroshio Kitahama Marine Base, a marina in Kitahama, Shiogama, 0.2 km from Higashi-Shiogama Station — about a four-minute walk. Sendai Station is about 30 minutes away on the JR Senseki Line, or 17.6 km by car (about 39 minutes without traffic), and Sendai Airport is 32.4 km, about 31 minutes by car.
The boat is skippered by Captain Okada, who fell for marlin, "the king of the Kuroshio", and has been running boats for eleven years.
Shiogama Shrine is 1.8 km from the marina, about four minutes by car (4.5 across 6,975 Google reviews). Shiogama Fish Wholesale Market is 1.3 km away, about three minutes (4.2, 2,422 reviews; closed Wednesdays), and Marine Gate Shiogama 1.4 km, about three minutes (3.6, 2,981 reviews). Further afield, the Godaido of Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima is 7.5 km away, about eleven minutes by car (4.2, 3,785 reviews).
For an emerald crater lake like the one in the photo, Okama is in Zao Town (4.6 across 2,975 Google reviews) — but it is 84.8 km from the marina, about 95 minutes by car. According to the Zao Town tourism association, the Zao Echo Line and Zao High Line roads that take you close to it are closed for winter from early November to late April. I haven't checked admission or road tolls, so look those up before you go.
Dinner After the Charter – Daikoku Sushi 🍣
The restaurant I pair with this boat is Daikoku Sushi (大黒寿司) in Kitahama, Shiogama — 0.5 km from the marina, about an eight-minute walk. One reviewer calls it one of the popular shops in Shiogama, a town packed with sushi bars, with fresh, locally caught toppings and plenty of side dishes. It holds a 4.3-star rating across 253 Google reviews.
Another reviewer mentions a new building with a calm upstairs and a top nigiri set that comes with sea urchin and abalone; another found the prices a little high, with the Shiogama name built in.
It opens 11:00–15:00 and 16:30–21:00, and is closed on Thursdays (its website and Tabelog; Google shows it open on Thursdays, so check before you go). It takes reservations and accepts cards, is non-smoking throughout, and has parking and private rooms (Tabelog). The boat lands around 14:00, so lunch may or may not work out; plan on the evening sitting.
Whether they will prepare a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed — neither its website nor Tabelog says. Please don't build the day around it; if it matters to you, I'll ring them and ask before you book. The captain also shows you how to clean and keep your fish, so taking it home to cook is another 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 small boat out of Shiogama, a short walk from Higashi-Shiogama Station, fishing Sendai Bay from Watari to Kinkasan — with a captain who holds a national licence as a Japanese-cuisine chef and shows you how to look after your catch.
Then sushi in Shiogama, about an eight-minute walk from the marina. If you'd like to fish Miyagi, 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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