Information checked: November 7, 2026 · Written by Shohei
Japanese tackle shops can feel overwhelming: walls of lures, hundreds of tiny rig packets, and labels only in Japanese. But once you know how they’re laid out, they’re one of the best parts of fishing in Japan—whether you need bait for tomorrow morning or want a Japan-only lure to take home.
At a Glance
| Main chains around Tokyo | Joshuya (上州屋), Casting (キャスティング), Tackle Berry (タックルベリー, mostly used gear) |
| English support | Usually limited—product names are often in English, staff may not be |
| Payment | Bring some cash—especially for small bait shops |
| Tax-free shopping | Ask at the register; bring your passport if you want to try |
Types of Shops
| Type | What you’ll find | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Large chain stores | Everything: rods, reels, rigs, bait, clothing | Residents, a full first set |
| Used-tackle shops | Second-hand rods, reels and lures at lower prices | Budget sets, collectors |
| Small shops near the water | Live bait, ice, local advice | Buying bait on the way to the spot |
| Online (Amazon, Rakuten) | Big selection, delivery to your address in Japan | Residents who know what they want |
What’s Worth Buying
- Ready-made rigs (shikake): cheap, labelled by target fish (goby = ハゼ, horse mackerel = アジ). They save a lot of time.
- Japan-only lures and small items: many Japanese brands sell models made for the home market.
- Bait: lugworm (aoisome, 青イソメ) by the cup; frozen bait for some fish. Prices vary by shop.
- A starter set for goby: see Goby Fishing Gear for Beginners.
Reading the Labels
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ハゼ | haze | goby |
| アジ | aji | horse mackerel |
| 仕掛け | shikake | rig |
| 針 | hari | hook |
| オモリ | omori | sinker |
| 号 | gō | size (hooks, line and sinkers all use 号) |
| エサ | esa | bait |
| 竿 | sao | rod |
Useful Phrases at the Counter
- Haze o tsuritai desu. — I want to catch goby.
- Haze-zuri no shikake wa doko desu ka? — Where are the goby rigs?
- Aoisome o hitotsu kudasai. — One cup of lugworm, please.
- Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka? — Can I pay by card?
- Menzei dekimasu ka? — Can I shop tax-free?
Tips
- Buy bait last, on the way to the water—live bait doesn’t keep well in a hot car or train.
- Ask what’s biting. Small shops near the water often know what’s being caught that week.
- Taking gear home? Rules for rods and hooks differ by airline—check yours before you fly.
- Where I shop: the chain I use most is Casting (キャスティング). Large chain stores like this have goby rigs, bait and small rods all in one place.
- My best tip: ask the staff. Tell them what you want to catch and where—for example “Edogawa de haze o tsuritai desu” (“I want to catch goby on the Edogawa”)—and they can point you to the right rig and bait. Even with little English, a fish name and a place name go a long way.
FAQ
Do tackle shops speak English?
Don’t count on it. Showing the Japanese names above, or a photo of what you want, works well.
About the author: Shohei is a Kanto-based angler who often fishes the Edogawa Floodway for goby.