Introduction
Eight catch photographs came in from this boat. Three show yellowtail-type fish, three show fish with dark stripes along the body, and one shows two anglers with a string of silver, red and spotted fish. Two were taken out on the rocks; the rest on a quiet harbour ringed by green hills.
Choshinmaru works out of Yonouzu in Saiki, Oita, on the island of Kyushu — and it isn't quite like the other boats on this blog. It is a rock-fishing ferry: it carries anglers out to offshore rocks, leaves them there to fish, and comes back for them at an agreed time. The fishing happens on the rocks, not on the boat.
It holds a 4.8-star rating across 38 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 only, in Japanese, by the evening of the day before. I'll make the call.
- Get the departure time the night before — The boat sets the next morning's time between 19:00 and 19:30, depending on the weather.
- Meet at the harbour in Koura, Yonouzu — Sign the passenger list and put on your life jacket, which stays on until you're back.
- Fish from the rocks — The captain drops you on an offshore rock and follows his instructions there and on board.
- Pack up and get picked up — Stop fishing 30 minutes before the pickup, clean the spot for the next anglers, and bring your rubbish back to the boat.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
A 2023 feature on the Japanese fishing site TSURINEWS describes the rocks around Saiki as a place rock anglers have long revered, above all those fishing for opal-eye, and says the special appeal of the Yonouzu rocks is simply the number of species you can catch.
- Float fishing for opal-eye — The classic rock-fishing target the area is known for.
- Bottom fishing — For striped beakfish and its relatives.
- Lures from the rocks — The writer caught yellowtail, blackfin sea bass and groupers this way.
The boat's own catch log for September 2026 lists a 75 cm yellowtail amberjack, a 60 cm greater amberjack and a 35 cm grouper among other catches. In the photos sent to me, a woman on the rocks holds a long striped fish up high and a man in a cap grins beside a big yellowtail-type fish; at the harbour there's a man holding a large dark fish, and others with striped fish in each hand. I won't guess species from photos.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One reviewer calls him a very kind captain: even first-timers can use the boat with peace of mind, and the many different spots on the rocks suit all kinds of fishing.
— a Google reviewer
Another was nervous on a first solo trip, but the captain kept an eye on them and they could fish without worry.
— a Google reviewer
A third, new to fishing only for opal-eye, learned about the sea, the depth the fish were biting at and the rigs from the captain and the regulars in the waiting room.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: http://tyoushin.amebaownd.com/
- Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/oita/A4401/A440105/44011592/
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 Choshinmaru 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 also offers overnight stays on the rocks from the evening before at the same rate. Whether rods and reels can be rented, and how to pay, hasn't been confirmed; I check both 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 🕘
Departures are from 4:00 a.m., varying with the season, and the exact time is fixed between 19:00 and 19:30 the evening before. The pickup time isn't published and is settled when your booking is confirmed.
A few things to know before you book. Bookings are by phone only, by the evening of the day before, and the boat asks people not to call early in the morning or late at night. The captain is Mr. Watanabe; a TSURINEWS writer who uses the boat often says he asks each angler or group which fish and which rock they'd like, and that beginners can ask for a rock with relatively good footing.
Your life jacket stays on from departure to return. Anglers who have been drinking heavily may be refused. Tell the captain in advance about any health concerns.
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 the Harbour in Yonouzu
The boat leaves from Koura in Yonouzu, Saiki. Saiki Station is 15.6 km away, about twenty-six minutes by car. Saiki IC is 18.3 km (about twenty-nine minutes) and Saiki-Katata IC 23.0 km (about thirty-four minutes). Parking is right in front of the boat.
Oita Station is 69.0 km away, about an hour and twenty minutes, and Oita Airport 129.6 km, about two hours. With departures this early, staying in Saiki the night before is the realistic plan if you're coming from far away. The boat has a rest area with room for five or six people to nap, a toilet, a microwave and free tea.
Sora no Koen is 12.1 km from the harbour, about seventeen minutes (rated 4.3 across 309 Google reviews), and Tsurumi-zaki 15.6 km, about twenty-eight minutes (4.2, 100 reviews). To wash off the salt, the TSURINEWS writer stops at Shioyu, an unusual seawater bath that also serves seafood bowls, 24.7 km away, about forty minutes (4.2 across 1,869 reviews as a seafood restaurant).
Oita is also known for the hot springs of Beppu. Umi Jigoku in Beppu is 88.4 km from the harbour, about an hour and a half by car (4.3, 12,618 reviews) — too far to fit in on a fishing day, so plan it for the days before or after. I haven't checked fares, admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
Dinner After the Charter – Ichiba Shokudo Nippomaru 🍶
The dining partner for this boat is Ichiba Shokudo Nippomaru (市場食堂 日保丸), elsewhere in Yonouzu — 7.9 km from the harbour, about eleven minutes by car. It's a local seafood canteen at the same address as a hometown produce shop, and holds a 4.4-star rating across 211 Google reviews.
Reviewers mention the Nippomaru set meal: sea bream, yellowtail and horse mackerel sashimi, three pieces of fried horse mackerel, simmered fish and marinated fish. Portions are big, and if you can't finish they give you a container to take the rest home. Others ordered whitebait or seafood rice bowls. On some days people write their names on the list before it opens.
It opens for lunch only, and the sources disagree: Google lists 11:30–14:00, closed Wednesday and Thursday; Tabelog lists 11:30–16:00 (last orders 15:30), closed Wednesday. I'll confirm the day when booking.
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 Yonouzu, a coast rock anglers have prized for decades, with a captain who asks what you want to catch and where you'd like to stand.
Then a big seafood lunch eleven minutes away. If you'd like to fish the rocks of Oita, 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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