Introduction
Eight catch photographs from this boat, and seven of them show red fish. One hangs from a jig still in its mouth; in another, two anglers hold a long row of them up. The eighth shows a man hugging a box piled high with flat fish.
Kyoujinmaru sails from Shinminato Marina in Imizu City, Toyama, and fishes Toyama Bay. Its headline fish is akamutsu (rosy seabass, also called nodoguro), with relay trips that add tilefish and onikasago, kawahagi trips in autumn, and surume squid from winter into spring. The current boat takes up to 12 anglers.
It holds a 4.5-star rating across 11 Google reviews. Bookings are taken by phone — that Japanese back-and-forth is the part I take off your hands.
The Fishing Experience – Step by Step 🎣
- Book through me — Shared trips take anglers on their own, and the trip is confirmed once there are four or more aboard.
- Confirm the evening before — Guests are expected to call the evening before to check the boat is going out, and the departure time is confirmed on that call. I'll make it for you.
- Bring your own ice — The boat asks every angler to bring their own ice.
- Find the right boat — The meeting point is at the end between Restaurant Sazan and Ebie Fishing Port. Three other boats share the berth, so check the name before you step aboard.
- Fish and head home — The October 2026 booking page listed long trips from 5:30 to 13:30.
Fishing Methods & Target Species
The official site tells the boat's story. The first Kyoujinmaru was a small boat for private charters of up to four. The second, a bigger boat, took up to eight on shared trips. The third, the boat today, is bigger again and takes up to 12, with roomy fishing spots, under the motto "fun boat fishing". There is a live well at every seat, a men's toilet, a women-only toilet and a toilet at the stern, fresh water for washing hands, and a cabin with a microwave, a thermos pot, phone charging and air conditioning. Three people run it: the captain, the captain's wife (the blog calls her the okami) and their son.
According to TSURINEWS trip reports, the boat fishes akamutsu at about 100–150 m. The usual rig is a two-hook dropper, and everyone uses the same 100-go sinker the boat specifies. The bottom is mostly sand and mud, but cutlassfish and sagoshi can cut the line and take a sinker with them, so the reports suggest bringing a few spares. Firefly squid is the main bait, fished on electric reels. Slow-jigging anglers fish alongside bait anglers, and Daiwa pro Kazunari Shimizu holds an akamutsu jigging session on this boat every year — in 2026 on 24 and 25 September. Trips run from a four-hour short trip to a ten-hour long day, and akamutsu, tilefish and onikasago can be fished as a relay.
The captain's blog from August to October 2026 shows how good the good days are. On 19 August the boat was closing in on 50 fish within four hours, including one over 1 kg. On 22 August two fish topped 1 kg. On 24 August eight guests were using electric reels for the first time, and one landed all three of akamutsu, tilefish and onikasago. On 2 October a father and son trying akamutsu for the first time both caught fish, the father one over 1 kg.
The blog is just as plain about the hard days. On 18 September the captain summed the day up in a single word: a total washout. Bites that never hook up and fish lost on the way up come up again and again. On 3, 17 and 25 October rising wind and waves ended the trip early, and on 21 August a sudden squall with lightning sent the boat back to port to wait 30 minutes to an hour before heading out again.
- Akamutsu — The main target, on bait or slow jigs at 100–150 m.
- Tilefish and onikasago — Relay trips with akamutsu.
- Kawahagi — Autumn trips; on 24 October 2026 a morning charter and a short trip from 13:00 found good-sized fish full of liver.
- Surume squid — From winter into spring, on plastic squid jigs with the same 100-go sinker. Bookings for the next squid season opened on 15 October 2026.
In the photos, a man in a black cap and black jacket gives a thumbs-up beside a red fish with a jig in its mouth. A man in a black "SEAFLOOR CONTROL" T-shirt holds one on a silver jig, and a man in a white hood and sunglasses one on a red jig. A grey-haired man holds five big-eyed red fish, and two pairs — one in wide-brimmed hats, one in a black cap and a wide-brimmed hat — hold up plenty of red fish. A man in red bib trousers and blue gloves holds a red fish, and a man in a grey knit hat and glasses carries a box heaped with flat fish. I won't name species from photos alone.
🗣️ What Reviewers Say About This Charter
One first-timer describes a fun captain and an attentive wife running the boat, and says the captain kindly taught them how to fish.
— a Google reviewer
Another came for surume squid and found the boat very kind and careful — enough fun that they want to come back.
— a Google reviewer
A third keeps it short: a boat that is very easy to fish from.
— a Google reviewer
Reservation, Access & Pricing
Official Links ✨
- Official website: https://www.kyoujinmaru.com/
- Captain's blog: https://www.kyoujinmaru.com/blog/
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 Kyoujinmaru 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? The boat rents rods with electric reels, and life jackets are free to borrow. Rod holders are fitted on board. Bring your own ice. I'll confirm the current fare before you book.
If you need to cancel, do it at least four days ahead. Three days before, half the fare is charged; two days before, 80%; the day before or on the day, the full fare.
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 🕘
Departure times can change, so they are confirmed on the call the evening before. The October 2026 booking page listed long trips at 5:30–13:30, akamutsu trips at 5:30–12:30 and kawahagi trips at 13:00–17:00. A trip goes ahead with four or more anglers. There are no fixed closing days.
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 Shinminato Marina
The boat sails from Shinminato Marina (Kairyu Marine Park) in Imizu City. The meeting point is at the end between Restaurant Sazan and Ebie Fishing Port. Taiseimaru, Daina and Ryushinmaru board from the same spot, so the official site asks you to make sure you get on the right boat. Toyama Station is 13.1 km away, about 23 minutes by car, and Toyama Airport 19.4 km, about 33 minutes. The nearest station, Kaiomaru Station on the Manyosen tram, is still 4.3 km away.
Here are some sights around the port. Shinminato Bridge is 2.2 km, about 4 minutes by car (4.4 across 509 Google reviews). Kaiwomaru Park is 4.2 km, about 7 minutes (4.1, 4,962 reviews). Shinminato Kittokito Fisherman's Wharf is 4.5 km, about 8 minutes, and Shinminato Uchikawa 5.9 km, about 9 minutes (4.3, 163 reviews). I haven't checked admission or opening hours, so look those up before you go.
The photo appears to be Kurobe Dam, releasing water below a green lake. Kurobe Dam is in Tateyama Town, also in Toyama (4.6 across 12,775 Google reviews). Tateyama Station on the Toyama side is 45.2 km from the port, about 62 minutes by car, so plan it for a different day from the fishing.
Dinner After the Charter – Tenyoshi, Seafood and Tempura by the Iwase Canal 🍤
The place I pair with this boat is Tenyoshi, in Iwase in Toyama City, 11.1 km east of the boat — about 18 minutes by car. Tabelog lists it for seafood, eel and tempura rice bowls. Iwasehama Station on the Toyama Light Rail is 0.5 km away, about a 7-minute walk. It holds 4.3 across 185 Google reviews.
The white-shrimp kakiage rice bowl comes up again and again in the reviews. Others say the sashimi on the set meal was thick-cut and fresh, that there are plenty of small dishes besides tempura, that it sits beside the Iwase canal, and that the owner picks the seafood. There is tatami seating and a counter, and it fills up quickly, so booking by the day before is a good idea.
According to Tabelog, lunch is 11:30–14:00 and dinner 17:00–22:00 (last order 21:30); it is closed on Wednesdays and the third Tuesday, and weekday lunch is by reservation. Google doesn't list weekday lunch, so I'll check that when booking. It seats 30, with private rooms and parking for four cars. After a long akamutsu trip, dinner is the easy fit; after an earlier return, a late lunch is possible too.
Whether it will cook a catch you carry in yourself hasn't been confirmed. Before you book, I'll ring them to check. If you're staying in the area the night before, the captain's blog also recommends Sakanaya Araki, a local restaurant in Imizu City.
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 roomy 12-angler boat out of Shinminato Marina in Imizu, built around Toyama Bay akamutsu, with tilefish, onikasago and kawahagi on the side — and a captain's blog that reports the hard days as plainly as the good ones.
Then seafood and tempura by the Iwase canal, booked ahead. If you'd like to fish Toyama, 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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