Fishing with Mt. Fuji Views and Japanese Home Cooking Experience

Cast a line, then cook what you catch. This Yokohama day out combines a beginner-friendly boat trip with a hands-on Japanese meal, giving you more than a standard sightseeing stop. I like the personal guidance from Naomi Matsutani and the chance to prepare fish you caught yourself. I also like that the small tour group is limited to three people, though the boat itself is shared and the ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 boat fee is extra.

The day begins early at Kanazawa-Hakkei Station and lasts about eight and a half hours. You will spend roughly three hours at sea, so seasickness, cold wind, sun, and wet clothing deserve serious thought. Catching fish is not guaranteed, and the Mount Fuji view depends on weather and location, but the fishing and cooking remain the main reasons to book.

Key details before you book

• Start at 6:30 am: Meet Naomi at Kanazawa-Hakkei Station in Yokohama, then walk a few minutes to Arakawaya fishing lodge.
• Fish for Japanese whiting: The usual target is shirogisu, though the catch can vary by day.
• Cook your own catch: Depending on the day, you might prepare sashimi, tempura, or grilled fish.
• Small tour group: The activity accepts a maximum of three participants, but the boat is shared with other people.
• Bring protection from the elements: You need drinks, snacks, sunscreen, warm layers, and waterproof clothing.
• Expect an added boat charge: The listed price is $247.14 per person, plus ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 paid on the day.

Starting early at Kanazawa-Hakkei Station

Your meeting point is Kanazawa-Hakkei Station, at 15-1 Seto in Yokohama’s Kanazawa Ward. The start time is 6:30 am, so this is not a slow morning activity. You need to plan your route carefully and leave enough time to arrive alert, especially if you are staying elsewhere in Yokohama or in Tokyo.

From the station, you walk a few minutes to Arakawaya, described as a cozy fishing lodge. This short walk keeps the beginning simple. You do not need to find a marina on your own or carry fishing equipment across town. The fishing gear is provided, including a rod, reel, live bait, tackle, life jacket, and towel.

Naomi is the English-speaking guide for both the boat trip and the cooking session. The personal tone is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Past participants especially praised her clear instructions and kind approach. That matters when you are holding a fishing rod for the first time or trying to put bait on a hook without making a mess of it.

You also need to provide your address and an emergency contact on the day, as required by Japanese law. Naomi contacts you through WhatsApp the day before with the weather decision, so add her contact and check your messages.

Three hours on the water targeting shirogisu

After a short introduction, you board the boat and head to the fishing area. The usual target is Japanese whiting, or shirogisu, a popular local fish. The trip focuses on one type of fish rather than offering a broad fishing program, which makes the activity easy to understand for a beginner.

Naomi helps you learn the basic process, including setting the bait yourself. That small task is part of the fun. You are not simply handed a rod and left to guess what to do. The experience is designed around participation, with the guide showing you how to handle the equipment and follow the captain’s instructions.

The fishing period lasts about three hours, though weather can shorten or change the timing. The boat may rock, and there can be strong wind. If you are prone to seasickness, take medicine before the trip as directed. Waiting until you feel ill is much less useful. A good night’s sleep also helps.

There is no shade on the boat, so the sun can be as tiring as the wind. Bring a ventilated hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and two or three towels. On colder days, wear thin warm layers under the life jacket, along with a waterproof jacket and waterproof pants. Heat packs can help if the air feels cold.

You should also bring enough drinks and light snacks for about three hours at sea. Lunch comes later, after you return to shore, so do not rely on it during the fishing portion.

Mount Fuji views depend on the day

The possibility of seeing Mount Fuji gives the boat ride an extra reward. On a clear day, the mountain may appear in the distance from the fishing area. That view is not guaranteed, since clouds, visibility, and the boat’s location all matter.

It is best to treat Fuji as a bonus rather than the central promise of the tour. The real attraction is time on the sea, the chance to catch fresh fish, and the quiet pleasure of learning a local pastime. If the mountain is hidden, the day does not lose its main purpose.

The same practical rule applies to the catch. Nature decides how much you bring back. One participant described catching around 15 fish, while another first-time fisher caught enough to make a generous meal. Those results sound encouraging, but you should not book this as a guaranteed seafood haul.

The boat is shared, not a private charter. The tour itself has a maximum of three participants, which keeps Naomi’s attention fairly personal, but other people may be fishing on the boat. If you want a private boat or complete control of the schedule, this is not the right format.

Returning to Arakawaya for the cooking session

After about three hours, you return to the port and learn how to clean and cook the fish. This is where the experience becomes more than a fishing trip. You get to see the full path from bait and hook to prepared food.

The cooking tools are included, and Naomi guides you through the process in English. You may learn simple preparation methods suited to the fish caught that day. The menu changes, but possible dishes include sashimi, tempura, and grilled fish.

Tempura and sushi-style preparation received particular praise from participants. Making the food yourself gives the meal a stronger sense of place than eating a seafood lunch in a restaurant. You also get a practical look at Japanese home cooking, where fresh ingredients and straightforward methods do much of the work.

The catch determines the amount and menu. If you catch a lot, you might cook a larger spread. If the catch is small, the meal will naturally be more limited. Fish cleaning is not allowed on the boat, so all preparation takes place after you return to shore.

Lunch includes dishes made from your catch and soft drinks. Naomi’s guidance is especially useful here because cleaning fish can feel unfamiliar, and working with raw seafood requires care. People uncomfortable handling live bait or fish should skip this activity.

What the $247.14 price really covers

The listed price is $247.14 per person. That is a serious cost for a day activity, but it includes much more than a short fishing outing. You receive the guide, fishing gear, live bait, tackle, life jacket, towel, cooking tools, the boat fishing experience with English instruction, and lunch with soft drinks.

The main extra cost is the boat fee, between ¥5,000 and ¥7,000, paid on the day by cash or credit card. Transportation to Kanazawa-Hakkei Station is also your responsibility. Add those costs before comparing this with other Yokohama activities.

I see the best value here for people who would otherwise pay separately for a guided fishing trip and a cooking class. You receive both in one day, with Naomi helping at each stage. The small group is another point in its favor.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a Mount Fuji photo or a guaranteed amount of fish. Fuji may not be visible, and nature may give you a modest catch. You are paying for instruction, access to the activity, equipment, and a hands-on meal, not a fixed quantity of seafood.

Who will enjoy this Yokohama day out

This experience suits adults, couples, solo participants, and families with older children, though children under 16 are not permitted. It works especially well for first-time fishers who want clear help rather than a technical fishing lesson.

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy local activities that involve your hands. You bait the hook, watch the water, handle the catch, and help prepare lunch. The day has a relaxed social feel, similar to spending time with a local friend, rather than moving between several major sights.

It also fits people who want a break from city streets. Yokohama has plenty of urban attractions, but several hours on the water give you a different view of the area. You hear and feel the sea, deal with changing weather, and spend time on a working fishing boat.

This is not a good match if you get seasick easily, dislike live bait, or do not want to touch fish. It is also unsuitable for pregnant people, anyone with health issues that limit outdoor activity, and anyone with food allergies or dietary restrictions. A moderate level of fitness is expected.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

Weather affects both safety and enjoyment. The operator may cancel because of rain, wind, or sea conditions, and you will be offered another date or a full refund in that case. No cancellation fee applies when the operator cancels for poor conditions.

If the trip runs, prepare for both sun and cold. The boat has no shade, and wind can make a mild morning feel much colder. Wear waterproof clothing that fits over your other layers, but keep those layers thin enough to fit under the life jacket.

Your practical packing list should include:

• Drinks and light snacks for the boat
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A ventilated hat or cap
• Warm layers for cold or windy conditions
• Waterproof pants and jacket
• Two or three towels
• Seasickness medicine taken before departure
• Disposable heat packs in colder weather

A towel is useful for more than drying your hands. You may sweat in the sun, get splashed, or want to cool your neck with water. The supplied towel helps, but bringing extras is sensible.

Booking, cancellation, and the small-group format

The activity is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change, so book only when your plans are firm. Poor weather is the exception. If the operator cancels, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The operator contacts you through WhatsApp the day before to confirm whether the trip will run. This message is important, especially because the sea conditions can change the plan.

The tour has a maximum of three participants, but that does not mean you get a private boat. You share the boat with other participants, while the small booked group allows Naomi to provide close help with bait, fishing technique, and cooking.

Is this fishing and cooking experience worth booking?

I would book this if you want an active, personal day and are comfortable with early starts, open water, and unpredictable results. The strongest reasons are Naomi’s patient English guidance, the small tour size, and the satisfaction of eating fish you helped catch and prepare.

I would pass if you need a guaranteed Mount Fuji view, a private boat, a fixed menu, or a relaxed indoor activity. The extra boat fee also means you should calculate the true cost before paying.

For the right person, this is a memorable way to spend a day in Yokohama. You may catch a good number of shirogisu, make tempura or grilled fish, and see Fuji across the water. Even when conditions are less perfect, you still get a genuine lesson in fishing and a meal connected to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the fishing and cooking experience begin?

It begins at Kanazawa-Hakkei Station, at 15-1 Seto in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama. The start time is 6:30 am, and you walk a few minutes from the station to Arakawaya fishing lodge.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about eight hours and 30 minutes. Fishing takes about three hours, followed by fish preparation and lunch.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The activity is designed for beginners, and the English-speaking guide teaches you how to use the equipment and set the bait.

Is the boat fee included in the listed price?

No. You pay an additional boat fee of ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 on the day. Payment is accepted by cash or credit card.

Is Mount Fuji guaranteed to be visible?

No. The view depends on the weather and the boat’s location. You may see Mount Fuji on a clear day.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity may be canceled because of bad weather or sea conditions. If the operator cancels, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can children under 16 join?

No. Children under 16 are not permitted. The activity also excludes pregnant people, anyone with certain outdoor health limits, people who get seasick easily, and people uncomfortable handling bait or fish.