Akashi station
I took a gamble on coming to Akashi to fish for octopus, and today that gamble paid off.
I call it a gamble because I had to set the date three or four months in advance; during July and August in Japan, typhoons can occur, potentially disrupting not just fishing plans but even flight schedules.
The public plaza in front of Akashi City Hall
Around the time I was due to set off, a couple of typhoons formed, but they didn’t head toward Japan.
Lucky me.
Even so, the forecast calls for a mix of cloudy and sunny weather.
You can see the famous Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, can’t you?
Akashi City is located in the center of the Japanese archipelago and serves as the reference point for Japan Standard Time.
The area is also renowned for its fierce currents; fish toughened by these strong waters—most notably sea bream—are a specialty.
Octopus is another famous product; while octopus from Tokyo Bay is well-known and considered a premium item, the octopus from Akashi is every bit its equal, likewise enjoying a reputation as a high-quality delicacy.
I had caught octopus in Tokyo Bay before, but never in Akashi, so I decided to visit and try my hand at catching them there.
For an early dinner, I’m having udon, which is easy to digest.
I needed to go to bed early because I had to wake up at 4:00 AM.
menu
I decided to eat udon, which is easy to digest.
Bokake Aburakasu Udon
This udon shop is located near the hotel where I stayed; it is called “Bokkake-ya.”
“Bokkake” refers to beef offal and konjac stewed in a sweet and savory sauce.
The udon is topped with this mixture, along with “abura-kasu”—the crispy residue left after rendering fat from beef small intestine.
The udon noodles have a firm, chewy texture, and the broth is rich in flavor.
You can customize the taste by adding grated garlic or ginger, or by sprinkling on some *ichimi* (red chili pepper).
It is priced at 980 yen (tax included).
We meet early in the morning at 4:00 AM and board an octopus fishing boat in Akashi.
Reception
Check-in began at 3:40 AM.
Since it is summer, it is hot.
I bought ice and frozen drinks at a nearby convenience store before completing the check-in process.
After paying the fee, my seat was assigned by lottery.
The total cost is 12,500 yen. This includes the boat fare and rod rental. The fishing rig costs an additional 1,500 yen.
The boat was scheduled to depart at 5:00 AM, so I waited until then.
The boat I’ll be boarding is called the Kairen-maru. I consider it the most energetic boat in Akashi.
Moving to the fishing spot
fishing
There are relatively strict rules regarding octopus fishing in Akashi; however, if you board a dedicated fishing boat, you need not worry.
There are restrictions on the shape and number of rigs used, and catching small octopuses weighing 100g or less is prohibited for the sake of resource conservation.
An expert angler caught a large Akashi octopus.
A local octopus-fishing expert caught a 3.7 kg Akashi octopus. It is truly a monster—and looks delicious.
The boat returns at noon.
It was my first time fishing in Akashi, and I was lucky enough to catch five fish.
I had intended to have them cleaned and prepared at the hotel, but the boat crew took care of it for me.
I gave them a quick wash, packed them in ice, and sent them to Tokyo via courier.
A fishing boat crew member recommended a delicious sushi restaurant, so I went there for lunch.
“Kikusui,” a delicious sushi restaurant.
Premium Chirashi-zushi
Premium Chirashi-zushi (3,200 yen, tax included). This was Osaka-style sushi rather than Edo-mae style.
Although the grilled conger eel is a specialty here, it had an overpowering flavor and didn’t taste particularly good to me.
Matthew 13:47
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.