Catch sea bream with a real fisherman! Experience the thrilling Setouchi traditional fishing method, "Gochiami fishing"

Say hello to the fisherman and head to the boat

We boarded the fishing boat. The fisherman who welcomed us was Mr. Akio Nishida, a sturdy and reliable man with a warm demeanor and a gentle look in his eyes. He and his father, Toshio, are two generations of fishermen who work with the net fishing method every year from April 20th to around September 10th.

Let's get on the fishing boat and set off!

We boarded a fishing boat and set off from Shimotsui Port, where the Seto is visible up close. It was my first time on a fishing boat, so I was excited.

The Gochiami fishing season has begun! The huge net and rope are sent out to sea.

After sailing for a while, the fishermen began to cast in buoys, ropes, and a huge 45m net with mesh about 10cm square. They steered the boat and stretched the rope in a circle in the sea with a diameter of 1km. As they did so, the stainless steel pipes attached to the rope hit each other, making a clanging sound that startled the sea bream and drove them into the net.

The long-awaited increase!

About 15 minutes after the net was dropped, it was finally time to pull it up.

The net is reeled in partway with a roller, and then pulled up by hand at the end. The more sea bream there are at the bottom, the heavier the final part will be. Anticipation builds as to how many have been caught. When we pull it up...the bottom of the net is chock-full of live sea bream!

Taking in the pulled-up sea bream

Once all the nets with sea bream caught have been pulled onto the boat, the bottom of the net baskets are untied and the caught fish are released into transport baskets, which are then carried to the fish tanks on the boat. Because it is a short fishing trip of just 15 minutes, the sea bream can be brought back to shore alive and fresh without weakening them. During a typical fishing trip, this fishing method is repeated 15 to 16 times per boat trip.

Another highlight: freshly caught sea bream sashimi!

Before heading home, the fishermen will fillet the freshly caught sea bream on the spot and prepare it as sashimi! We will be fillingeting and comparing the taste of a red sea bream about 40-50cm long, a black sea bream (chinu), and a croaker that was also caught. I also had the chance to pick up a knife and cut the sea bream into sashimi-sized pieces.

Enjoy the plump red sea bream

Once all the fish was cut into sashimi-sized pieces, it was finally time for the long-awaited meal! When I put the translucent, sparkling red sea bream into my mouth, I was greeted with a bouncy, sweet texture, the black sea bream was fatty and had a rich flavor, and the croaker was light and matched perfectly with the sweetness of the sashimi soy sauce. I devoured them with gusto.

After a fulfilling half day, we headed home

Our fun adventure on the sea has finally come to an end. It's time to say goodbye to the fishermen. Before we knew it, the Seto was getting farther away, the islands were getting smaller, and the port was getting closer.

The extraordinary experience of being a fisherman is so intense, thrilling, and exciting that it's hard to believe it's only half a day. Why not visit Shimotsui for this irreplaceable experience?

Experience video

how to apply

Please apply by phone or email.

[Shared sightseeing tour (3 hours)]

・April 20th to September 10th (every Saturday)

・Adults (junior high school students and above): 9,000 yen (tax included) / Children (ages 3-12): 6,000 yen (tax included)

・Minimum number of participants: 4 people

★ Served with sea bream sashimi on board

★Get a free souvenir sea bream

[Private tour (7 hours)]

・April 20th to September 10th (every day)

・110,000 yen (tax included)

・Up to 12 people (private reservation system)

*Includes sea bream sashimi, simmered sea bream, and sea bream rice (please bring your own rice)

★You can take home all the fish you catch

*Please contact us in advance for details on dates, fees, etc.

Make a reservation here