Guide to Enjoy Local Style Bass Fishing in Japan
Ty HasegawaWhile Japan is known internationally for being an active bass fishing country, there are a lot of stories of the famous fishing spots, like Lake Biwa. But there's a quieter, deeply rooted pastime where many locals enjoy bass fishing, in small lakes and ponds scattered across the countryside.
Far from the grand-scale fisheries like Lake Biwa, or Kasumi Lake, these modest, often overlooked waters offer a more personal and peaceful fishing experience. Tucked into the rural edges of towns or nestled in the foothills outside Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, these lakes are where Japanese anglers go to reconnect with their targets, experiment with finesse tackle, and savor the subtle art of catching bass.
Local bass anglers in Japan often fish from rental rowboats, paddling out just before sunrise with their minimalist gear. These boats are not super convenient, but it provides enough joy with the relatively smaller venues.
What sets these smaller lakes apart is their balance of accessibility and intimacy. They may not yield monster bass every trip, but they reward patience and local knowledge. The nearby tackle shops, mostly running rental boat services, often serve as informal hubs, offering not only gear but also friendly advice, water conditions, and even hand-drawn maps from seasoned regulars.
Bass fishing here isn’t just about the catch—it’s a way to slow down, observe the landscape, and enjoy the stillness between casts. For those seeking a more authentic, everyday experience of Japanese fishing culture, the small lakes and rental boat spots offer a window into how locals truly enjoy the sport—quietly, deeply, and with genuine love for the water.
In this blog, I will list some of such handy places for bass fishing, where there are rental boat services. Then there are some tips and information for your plannings are shown at the end.
Places around Kanto region
Note; transportation time is reference to departing from Tokyo Station.
Location; West from Tokyo, in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 1.5 hours driving (with smooth traffic), 2 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Tsukui Kanko Link, Tel +81 90-4751-4706, Fishing guide service available (additional fee)
Note; very popular lake for Tokyo people, naturally the fishing pressure is immense. Ultra finesse rig may work well.
Location; West of Tokyo, about 1.5 hours driving (with smooth traffic), 1.5 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Sobu Boat Link, Tel +81 42-684-2020, info@soubu-boat.com
Ogawa Tei Link, Tel +81 42-684-2011, contact form
Tengu Iwa Information Center Link, Tel +81 426-87-2006
Shibata Boat Link, Tel +81 70-3660-6363, instagram
Note; very popular for its accessibility. Tough lake, but there are bass surely.
Location; East of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture, about 1.5 hours driving (with smooth traffic), 2.5 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Tsubakimoto Link, Tel +81 439-39-2110, tsubakimoto@nifty.com, boat service run by a hotel, accommodation available
Tokita Boat Link, Tel +81 439-39-3010, tokita_boat@yahoo.co.jp, guide service available
Boat House Matsushita Link, Tel 439-39-2926
Note; There were records of bass over 60 cm, in this lake.
Location; East of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture, about 1.5 hours driving (with smooth traffic), 2.5 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Rental Boat Sasakawa Link, Tel +81 439-39-3655, sasagawaboat@pop21.odn.ne.jp
Rental Boat Suzuki Link, Tel +81 439-39-2816, nqg55278@nifty.com
Note; Nicely away from Tokyo, meaning that less fishing pressure. The surroundings prevent shore fishing and it gives better chance for boat fishing.
Location; East of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture, about 1.5 hours driving (with smooth traffic), 3 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Fishing Boat Tomowe Link, Tel +81 438-38-2544
Ishii Boat Shop Link, Reservation webpage is here, Tel +81 90-9333-1644
Note; It was less than 5 years ago that this lake was open for bass fishing. Probably there are some pure ones remaining.
Location; East of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture, about 1 hour driving (with smooth traffic), 2 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Takatakiko Kanko Link, Tel +81 436-98-1277, FJP16253@nifty.com
Note; Bank fishing is also possible.
Kinki (Osaka/Kyoto) Region
The transportation time is calculated, departing from Shin-Osaka Station.
Location; East from Kyoto, in Shiga Prefecture, 1.5 hours driving, 3 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Tom Sawyer Link, Tel +81 748-34-6115, Reservation form is here, tomnishinoko@yahoo.co.jp
Note; Bass tournament is held in this lake.
Location; West from Osaka, in Hyogo Prefecture, 1 hour driving, public transportation not available
Boat service;
Lake Tojo Big Bite Link, Tel +81 795-47-0072
(Some video footage of this lake is here.)
Note; Not a big place, but the surroundings vary from shallow and steep deep cliffs.
Location; West from Osaka, in Hyogo Prefecture, 1 hour driving, 2 hours with public transportation
Boat service;
Outdoor House Aono Link, Tel +81 80-6166-5615
Note; Fishing from the bank is also possible.
Location; West from Osaka, in Hyogo Prefecture, 2 hours driving, not convenient with public transportation
Boat service;
Rental Boat Kohan Link, Tel +81 79-679-2852, lake-ginzan@sasayuri-net.jp
Note; A little distanced from big cities. Less fishing pressure. It is said that over 60 cm are there.
Location; South from Osaka, in Nara Prefecture, 3 hours driving, not convenient with public transportation
Boat service;
World Record Ikehara Link, Tel +81 90-9252-8432
Dream Link, Tel +81 746-85-2366, info@dream70.com
One Up Hirai Link, Tel +81 7468-5-2128, info@oneup-hirai.com
Note; It is one of the famous places for over 60 cm Florida strain large mouth bass. The water quality is good.
Location; South from Osaka, in Nara Prefecture, 3 hours driving, not convenient with public transportation
Boat service;
T’s On Link, Tel +81 7468-5-2104, bass@ts-on.co.jp
Slope 60 Link, Tel +81 7468-6-9123, Contact form is here
Note; comparable to Ikehara Dam. Very nice conditions for bass.
Tips and Information
You have to buy the day ticket to start fishing in most places. A boat shop is selling the ticket and you can buy it at the spot, when you are getting onto your boat.
You can drive a boat smaller than 12 ft with a trolling motor powered with less than 2 hp, without any license. But anything bigger than that, you need to have a license. There is no global standard regulation or licensing of boat licenses and your boat license in your country is not valid in Japan.
In many lakes, there are fishing guide services available. If you are looking for a fishing guide for any places, please send an email to contact@cbtrade.jp.
In the below video, you can grasp the idea of these local boat shops.
