Fishing Guide for Foreign Visitors in Japan

2025-03-29 2025-03-29

Ty Hasegawa

There are many kinds of fishing done in Japan. There are some that are very traditional and different from what you see in your country, and others that are very close to the one you do, such as lure fishing.

For those who love fishing in their own country, visiting Japan can be a wonderful chance to enjoy the fishing in this fishing loving country.

In this article, you can understand what kind of fishing is available for you as a visitor. And you are ready to make a plan of fishing in Japan.

Image from Shimano’s page featuring fishing parks.

Types of Fishing Available

Japan offers a wide variety of fishing styles depending on the region and season. Freshwater fishing is common in mountain streams, lakes, and rivers where you can target trout, char, bass, and carp. Saltwater fishing is perhaps more popular due to Japan since it is an island country, with countless beaches, breakwaters, piers, rocky shores and offshore opportunities. Shore fishing is very accessible and often free, allowing you to catch species like mackerel, flounder, seabass, and squid.

As there are places where fishing is prohibited, the safest ways may be to visit fisheries (known as “釣り堀 tsuri-bori” “フィッシングエリア fi-shingu eria”) or fishing parks. These are commercialized fishing ponds or managed sea fishing areas where you pay an entrance fee and fish with rental gear if you do not have one. These parks are not necessarily for beginners or families who want a stress-free fishing experience, but they serve a good or a difficult real fishing experience with the trophy sized target fish in it.

Regulation to Note; Do You Need a Fishing License?

In many countries, you can go fishing with a valid fishing license that is often available to buy in fishing shops or in convenience stores. In Japan, the situation is a little bit unique.

In salt water areas, you do not need a license! No need at all! It is the same for shore fishing or boat fishing.

While it appeals to the entire fishermen, there are some places where you cannot do the act of fishing. In the commercial piers, or piers used for the commercial fisherman, it is likely to have, at least, some restriction. In some cases fishing is prohibited, so you have to be careful.

In freshwater areas, you have to have a daily permit or seasonal license. For it, the permit is covering a certain range or area of water. Therefore, what you need to keep in your mind is the coverage of water. These permits, called “遊漁券 yu-gyo-ken” are available from 500 to 2,000 Japanese yen. You can buy only the fishing shops or convenient shops near the destination water. For most rivers, trout species are protected and there are seasonal fishing prohibited periods. It is advisable to have some research before you go.

Fishing in the trout fishery near Mt. Fuji. From this page.

So, Which Fishing is Better to Go?

If you are thinking of going saltwater fishing, then these could be good alternatives.

Sea fishing parks; commercially run, often rental tackles available
Harbors, piers; open public places
Charter boats

If you are the adventurous angler who carries your own fishing tackles, then the public sea shores are a good opportunity. Since you need to know certain places are possible to fish, it is best to visit the neighbor fishing tackle shops and ask, or you observe the fellow anglers around.

If you are keen on freshwater fishing, then these are nice options.

Fishing area for white fish 釣り堀 tsuri-bori, 　
Fishing area for trouts フィッシングエリア fis-shingu eria
Mountain streams
Lakes
Hire fishing guides (black bass fishing)

For the commercially run areas, there is no license related stress. And it is highly recommended to have a safe state of mind with it, while you have to pay some fees.

As mountain streams and lakes require a license, you need to buy them in the shops nearby.

How Can I Proceed?

One good step is to visit the fishing shops and ask the fishing situation around and for information about certain areas. But some of you know that there are not so many English speaking shop clerks. In such cases, the phrases below are good to break the ice.

すいません。Sui ma sen. Excuse me.

近くで釣りができる場所がありますか？

Chikaku-de tsuri-ga dekiru ba-sho ga arimasu ka?

Is there any place you go fishing nearby?

～で釣りはできますか？

– (place name) de tsuri-wa dekimasu ka?

Is it possible to fish at —

遊漁券を買いたいです。

Yu-gyo-ken o kaitai desu.

I want to buy a permit.

I hope it gave you some information to start making a plan of fishing in Japan. As a country of rich fishing culture, we would like to welcome you and want to provide you with the best fishing experience in Japan. If you have any questions, please send me an email.