Introduction
Eight catch photographs came in from this boat. Four are big groupers — held in both hands, laid across a lap, or hung on ropes by two anglers side by side. Three are dark fish, including one woman holding a fish in each hand. The last shows a man on a breakwater with a large squid.
Otojimamaru works out of Iorigawa harbour in Kadogawa, Miyazaki, on the island of Kyushu. It is mainly a rock-fishing ferry: it carries anglers out to offshore rocks and breakwaters, checks on them through the day, and collects them in the evening. Its listing on a Japanese fishing website says the main target all year round is opal-eye, mostly from the offshore rocks.
It holds a 4.9-star rating across 17 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 — Bookings are by phone, in Japanese; bookings for the next day are taken until 9 p.m. I'll make the call.
- Check the go/no-go — Whether the boat goes out is decided on the 5 p.m. forecast the day before.
- Meet at the waiting room — Fill in the passenger list, park in front, and load up the small truck that runs down to the boat.
- Fish the rocks — About 30 minutes out to the grounds. The boat checks on anglers at midday and 15:00.
- Pickup at 17:00 — The last collection is at 17:00; you pay at the waiting room when you're back.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
The boat's blog lists each day's catch in a few words. In late September and early October 2026 it named good-sized opal-eye, groupers including one of 3 kg, striped jack, and spotted knifejaw.
- Float fishing for opal-eye — The core of the boat's business, from the offshore rocks.
- Bottom fishing — For striped and spotted knifejaw.
- Cutlassfish in the bay — In summer and autumn the blog also advertises cutlassfish trips using tenya rigs.
- Night fishing — Red sea bream and other fish after dark.
Two of the grouper photos were taken on the green deck of the boat and two in the gravel car park. The dark fish are held by a woman in a cap and glasses, a second woman, and a man in evening light. Behind the man with the squid there's an island. I won't guess species from photos.
When typhoon swells come in, the boat can't get out to the offshore rocks; the blog has entries saying exactly that.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer says the captain is skilled at bringing the boat in to the rocks, and that you feel safe with him.
— a Google reviewer
Another calls him a very kind captain and a good ferry operator.
— a Google reviewer
A regular since childhood remembers chatting over tea in the waiting room with the former captain and his wife.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Captain's blog: https://ameblo.jp/otojimamaru/
- Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/miyazaki/A4504/A450404/45004929/
Important:
Read the full pricing and schedule section before reserving — the departure time varies by season and by trip type!
Budget Guide 💴
A day with Otojimamaru 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's listings say there is no rental tackle, so I'll help you work out what to bring when we book. Payment is made at the waiting room after you return; the payment methods haven't been confirmed, and 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 🕘
From October the boat leaves at 6:00 and returns at 17:00 (from April it leaves at 5:30). The boat is closed on the first Thursday of every month.
A few things to know before you book. First-timers are asked to book by phone before coming. If you miss the first boat out, you take the second. Campfires on the islands are not allowed.
Near the boat there's a free nap room open 24 hours, and free parking for about 40 cars.
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 Iorigawa Harbour
The waiting room is in Iorigawa-nishi, Kadogawa. Kadogawa Station is 2.7 km away, about six minutes by car. Hyuga IC is 16.3 km, about nineteen minutes, and Nobeoka Station 14.3 km, about twenty-six minutes.
Miyazaki Station is 84.4 km away, about an hour and twenty minutes, and Miyazaki Airport 97.2 km, a little longer. With a 6:00 departure, staying in Kadogawa or Nobeoka the night before is the realistic plan.
There's also Otojima, an uninhabited island about five minutes by ferry from Iorigawa and other harbours, according to the Miyazaki tourism association. It's about 4 km around, with rugged columnar-jointed cliffs on the Pacific side and a sea cave, Chaya no Daimon, whose entrance is about 14 m high. Otojimamaru also runs campers over to the island's campsite.
Miyazaki is also home to Takachiho Gorge, 53.2 km from the waiting room and about an hour by car (4.5 across 19,928 Google reviews) — better kept for a day off the water.
To wash off the salt, the hot-spring facility Kadogawa Onsen Kokoro no Mori is 0.9 km from the waiting room, about three minutes (3.8 across 612 Google reviews). I haven't checked admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
Dinner After the Charter – Oshokujidokoro Tombo 🍶
The dining partner for this boat is Oshokujidokoro Tombo (お食事処 とんぼ), in Nishisakae-machi, Kadogawa — 3.9 km from the waiting room, about eight minutes by car. Reviewers say it serves fish landed at the Kadogawa harbour, and it holds a 4.3-star rating across 184 Google reviews.
Reviewers say they'll prepare the fish the way you like it — sashimi, grilled or simmered — that the variety and freshness are good, and they mention the simmered fish-head set meal and grilled barracuda. Reviewers say the car park fills up at lunchtime, and that it opens as a drinking spot in the evening.
Opening hours differ between sources: Google lists 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–22:00, closed Wednesdays; Tabelog lists 11:00–22:00, closed on the second and fourth Wednesdays. Either way it's open after the 17:00 return, and I'll confirm the day when booking. Tabelog says cards, e-money and QR payments aren't accepted.
Whether they will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed, so please don't build the day around it; if it matters to you, I'll ring them and ask before you travel.
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 ferry to the offshore rocks of Kadogawa for opal-eye and groupers, run by a captain reviewers trust to bring the boat in to the rocks.
Then a fish supper eight minutes away. If you'd like to fish the rocks of Miyazaki, 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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