Four guests from the US, one full day on the water. The rest of their group had a concert in Osaka the next day; for one of them, the real reason for the trip was this boat.
He is not a beginner. Back home he fishes big game with Shimano Talica reels and knows his gear. What he wanted from us was simple: a local captain, a boat, and someone to handle the Japanese side of things so he could just fish.
How booking an Okinawa fishing charter in English works
Everything happened in English over email and WhatsApp. We confirmed the date, the boat and the plan, sent a confirmation email with the meeting point and the final total, and placed a card hold for the amount — no deposit, nothing charged up front. The hold was released after the trip.
One honest note from our side: we ask guests to confirm the meeting time the evening before. This time the "We'll be there at 6 AM" reply landed at 4 in the morning. Everyone showed up on time and the day was great — but our staff and the captain had a long, quiet night refreshing their inboxes. Please reply the night before. We'll sleep better.
It's a small thing, but after a few seasons we've noticed a pattern. Guests from East Asia tend to message at every step — "leaving the hotel now", "in the taxi", "we see the boat" — and go quiet only once they're on board. Guests from North America and Europe tend to confirm once, then simply show up on time. Neither is wrong; they're just different habits. We've learned to read both, and we only ask one thing of everyone: one reply the evening before, so the captain knows the day is on.
Timeline of a full-day charter from Chatan
- 06:00 Met at Chatan Port. Life jackets, a quick chat with the captain about what was biting that week, and out past the reef.
- Morning Lines in. The captain set everyone up with rental rods and the local rig.
This is where it got interesting for our angler. Okinawa deep-water fishing uses a weight setup he had never seen before, and the boat runs electric reels — new technology for someone used to cranking Talicas by hand. He picked it up within a couple of drops and, in his words, learned a few things.
What we caught: 25 fish in one day off Chatan
The highlight was a solid amberjack (kanpachi), brought up on the electric reel and held up for the photo with the kind of grin that needs no caption. The younger members of the group caught fish too — not their main reason for being in Japan, but they had a good time.
- 17:00 Back at Chatan with 25 fish on ice in the styrofoam box we had ready — theirs to keep.
- Lunch was sashimi from the morning's tuna, cut on board by the captain — it doesn't always work out (depends on what comes up), but that day it did. We also tracked down an ATM that takes foreign cards for cash, which turned out to be the day's second-hardest catch.
- That evening they were already on their way to Osaka.
Guest feedback
"Thanks to you and your assistance for giving us great service. I learned a few things from you such as using the weight I have never seen before as well as using the new technology electric reel."
"We will consider going with you again if we come back and fish, as well as tell my fishing friends about you guys."
— Guest from the US, August 2026
Trip summary: price, group, booking
| Charter | Private full-day (7–8 h), Chatan Port |
| Group | 4 people |
| What the group paid | ¥166,000 in total for 4 people — full-day charter, gear rental and everything else for the day |
| Booking | Email / WhatsApp in English → confirmation email → card hold, no deposit |
| Extras used | Styrofoam cooler with ice, sashimi on board that day, ATM hunt (all free) |
Thinking about a day like this? See charters and prices or message us on WhatsApp — we reply in English. How booking works →
FAQ
How much does a full-day private fishing charter in Okinawa cost?
The current full-day private charter package is ¥108,000 all-inclusive, plus gear at ¥6,000 per person. See the package page for current details.
Can I book an Okinawa fishing charter in English?
Yes. Booking coordination is available in English over WhatsApp and email.
Is fishing gear included?
Gear is rented per person and priced by fishing style — around ¥6,000 per person as a guide. Bring your own if you prefer. We'll confirm the exact amount in your confirmation email.
What can you catch off Okinawa in August?
Tuna, rainbow runner and amberjack are possible; the catch varies by day and sea conditions.
Photo used with the guest's permission.