Night Fishing in Hamamatsu

Cast your nets and throw your spears from lantern-lit boats

Situated about 90 minutes west of Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, Hamamatsu is a coastal city in Shizuoka Prefecture. The city surrounds Lake Hamana, a saltwater lake home to a style of fishing that dates back over a century. From spring to late summer, lantern-lit boats leave harbor after sundown, casting their lights over the placid, shallow waters of southern Lake Hamana, which is teeming with fish. Fishermen use these lights to find marine life, which they catch with a harpoon or scoop up with a net. 

Now you, too, can try your hand at this unique method of fishing, known as takiya-ryo. Fish for shrimp, crab, and other marine delicacies, such as sea bream. Board a local fisherman’s boat on a tour guided by an English interpreter, in cooperation with a branch of Lake Hamana’s fishing cooperative. 

As you row a long oar through the water of the peaceful lake, hear the splash of the fish being caught by spears or nets while gazing upon the lights reflecting off the water, an experience you are unlikely to find anywhere else.

What’s more, you can take your catch to floating rafts called takiya-tei and have it prepared into delectable dishes such as seafood tempura and miso soup by fishermen who know how to bring out the best in each fish. This is a culinary experience you won’t want to miss. Outfitted with sofas and chairs, the eating spaces on takiya-tei let you relax and enjoy the evening breezes as you dine on the delicious fish you caught. This may be the best way to reward yourself for all the effort that went into fishing for your feast.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Hamamatsu Station (about one hour 25 minutes), then transfer to the Tokaido Line local train to Bentenjima Station (about 15 minutes) and  walk about four minutes to the starting point.

Unique night spearfishing experience (Takiya association)