How to Go Fishing Along the Ohechi Route

Life Where the Trail Meets the Sea

For travelers drawn to quieter landscapes and coastal scenery, the Ohechi Route on the Kumano Kodo offers a compelling alternative to the more widely traveled inland paths. If you have ever wanted to go fishing in Japan, this is a perfect option for your Kumano adventure.

The Coastal Route of Merchants

Running along the Pacific coastline, the Ohechi was historically used by merchants, connecting small fishing towns that once served as hubs of coastal trade. The route traverses rugged headlands, with expansive ocean views on one side and forested hills on the other.

Today, the Ohechi remains lightly traveled. Rather than feeling separate from everyday life, the trail moves directly through communities where fishing, farming, and coastal work continue as they have for generations.

Fishing Along the Ohechi

Fishing here is not a scheduled attraction. It is simply part of the landscape.

Depending on the season and the village, small boats head out early in the morning, returning with the tides, while later in the day locals fish from the shore, working familiar stretches of rock and inlet. For travelers, these moments offer insight into a way of life shaped by the sea rather than by tourism.

For those interested, there are also opportunities to engage more directly.

Fishing boats in Susami’s harbor

Sustainable Fishing Experiences in Susami

This past autumn, we partnered with the local tourism bureau in Susami to help develop and test fishing experiences that reflect local practices.

One such experience involves helping local lobster fishermen to harvest their catch from their nets. This stretch of coastline is known for Ise lobster, a regional specialty prized throughout Japan.

Removing Ise lobsters from the nets

Putting away the nets after removing the lobsters

Alongside lobster, a small number of fish are caught incidentally each day. These fish are exceptionally fresh but rarely sold in markets due to their short shelf life.

As a thank you for their assistance, guests are invited to select from the catch, which is then immediately prepared and grilled by the sea. If you haven't had freshly caught fish before, the flavor is superb.

Selecting a fish from the day's catch to barbecue

The focus is on understanding how fishing fits into daily life and how sustainability is practiced through careful harvesting. And, of course, to enjoy absolutely delicious and extraordinarily fresh fish, as opposed to throwing it back into the sea.

For those hiking the Kumano Kodo, experiences like this can be woven in between walking days, offering contrast and context to the physical journey.

Enjoying fresh fish and lobster, grilled steps away from the sea

Walking With the Region

The Kumano Kodo is often described in terms of distance and spiritual history. While those elements matter, the trail is also shaped by what happens alongside it.

Along the Ohechi, the sea is a constant presence, as are the people who depend on it. Taking the time to observe, or to participate when appropriate, adds depth to the journey and offers a fuller understanding of the region as it is lived today. Whether you’re curious about traditional Japanese lobster fishing or interested in heading out onto the water aboard a local fishing boat, we can help arrange these experiences so you return home with a deeper understanding of life in Japan’s coastal countryside.

Our Coastal Soul of Kumano small group tour includes the lobster-harvesting experience, and we’re also happy to arrange a custom journey tailored to your interests. If you’d like to learn more about either option, feel free to email us (letsgo@kumanoadventures.com) and we’ll be glad to help.