Fishing

As an island country, Japan has long had a thriving fishing industry. For the Japanese, it was one of their most important livelihoods. The country is surrounded by the sea and has many rivers, lakes, and marshes. In addition, the climate has four distinct seasons, which is a major factor in the prosperity of the fishing industry. “Fishing” has been widely practiced as one of the most important fishing methods. Well, it is said that fishing became a popular leisure activity in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). The Edo shogunate’s reign of peace and warless times, which lasted for about 260 years, gave birth to a wide variety of amusement and entertainment culture. Perhaps also for the purpose of securing food, fishing became a popular leisure activity for the general public. At this time, there were already “fishing ponds” where carp, crucian carp, mullet, and other fish were caught. Eventually, “offshore fishing ponds” built on rafts on the sea appeared, and fishing became more and more entertaining.

Compared to other countries, Japan has a smaller number of people who culturally enjoy outdoor leisure activities. Fishing may be one of the few outdoor leisure activities in Japan. The variety of fish is very abundant, and the fishing environment is excellent in the sense that it can be enjoyed in a different seasonal way all year round, right? There are also many guest houses in the local regions that provide fishing boats and accommodations for customers whose main purpose is “fishing”. Some places even offer to cook the fish caught by the customers themselves! During the recent Corona pandemic, it had attracted attention as a safe and enjoyable outdoor leisure activity. Well, it is not a very popular leisure activity among the younger generation, but it still maintains a certain level of popularity today.

We hope that those who enjoy fishing as pleasure, as well as those who have even the slightest interest in the sport, will enjoy fishing in Japan. However, listen, there is something we would like you to keep in mind. Fishing is not a leisure activity that everyone can enjoy anytime, anywhere as much as they want. As mentioned above, the fishing industry in Japan remains one of the most important industries. Therefore, there are various restrictions, such as no-fishing zones, no-fishing periods, and fish and shellfish that are forbidden to be caught. These are properly legislated and strictly enforced. We would like to ask those who intend to enjoy fishing in Japan to please do not neglect to check in advance. Please follow the rules and manners and have fun!

Below is a seasonal list of the main fish that can be caught in Japan. Please refer to them!
※The name in parentheses () is the name used in Japan.

Spring, March～May

Sea Fishing – @ Boat / Embankment / Rocky shore
Japanese rockfish (Mebaru)
Spanish mackerel (Sawara)
Red sea bream (Tai / Madai)
Black porgy (Chinu / Kurodai)
Red gurnard (Houbou)
Jack mackerel (Aji)
Mackerel (Saba)
Sardine (Iwashi)
Sea bass (Suzuki)

Land Fishing – @ Rivers / Lakes / Ponds
Carp (Koi / Magoi)
Black bass
Bluegill
Japanese catfish (Namazu)
Japanese crucian carp (Funa)
Tanago
Cherry trout (Yamame)
Charr (Iwana)

Summer, June～August

Sea Fishing – @ Boat / Embankment / Rocky shore
Bonito (Katsuo)
Jack mackerel (Aji)
Sardine (Iwashi)
Mahi-mahi (Shiira)
Whitespotted conger (Anago)
Cutlassfish (Tachiuo)
Flathead (Kochi / Mgochi)
Japanese whiting (Kisu)
False kelpfish (Kasago)
Rockfish (Murasoi)
Octopus (Tako / Madako)
Yellowfin Goby (Haze)
Sea bass (Suzuki / Seigo)

Land Fishing – @ Rivers / Lakes / Ponds
Carp (Koi / Magoi)
Black bass
Bluegill
Japanese catfish (Namazu)
Ayu

Autumn, Sptember～November

Sea Fishing – @ Boat / Embankment / Rocky shore
Yellowtail (Buri)
Greater yellowtail (Kanpachi)
Yellowtail amberjack (Hiramasa)
Barracuda (Kamasu)
Cutlassfish (Tachiuo)
Red sea bream (Tai / Madai)
Sea bass (Suzuki)
Striped beakfish (Ishidai)
Sardine (Iwashi)
Japanese halfbeak (Sayori)
Yellowfin Goby (Haze)
Bigfin Reef Squid (Aoriika)

Land Fishing – @ Rivers / Lakes / Ponds
Carp (Koi / Magoi)
Black bass
Bluegill
Japanese catfish (Namazu)

Winter, December～February

Sea Fishing – @ Boat / Embankment / Rocky shore
Thread-sail filefish (Kawahagi)
Bastard halibut (Hirame)
Yellow striped flounder (Karei)
False kelpfish (Kasago)
Largescale Blackfish (Mejina)
Japanese rockfish (Mebaru)
Fat greenling (Ainame)

Land Fishing – @ Rivers / Lakes / Ponds
Carp (Koi / Magoi)
Japanese smelt (Wakasagi)