Fishing with cormorants is a traditional method of catching river fish used in Japan since antiquity. Boatmen and cormorant handlers cruise along the river with the handlers letting the birds jump into the water and prompting the birds with careful rope control to gulp up sweetfish and other river fish.
Kiso River cormorant fishing is a proud tradition—beginning more than 1,300 years ago—and Japan's oldest such culture. Hop aboard a sightseeing boat and watch the historic goings on with the illuminated nighttime national treasure of Inuyama Castle accenting the bon fire-bearing cormorant ships as they cruise down the river with expert handlers displaying their incredible skills before your eyes.
EVENT OVERVIEW
| Date | Sat, Jun 1–Tue, Oct 15, 2026 Note: • Afternoon cormorant fishing available on Mon, Fri, and weekends during the event period (Tue, Wed, and Thu available to groups of 20 adults or more). |
|---|---|
| Time | Gathering times • Afternoon Cormorant Fishing Light Plan: 12:15 pm • Afternoon Cormorant Fishing Onboard Meal Plan: 11:00 pm • Night Cormorant Fishing Light Plan: 7:00 pm, Jun–Aug / 6:30 pm, Sep–Oct • Night Cormorant Fishing Onboard Meal Plan: 5:45 pm, Jun–Aug / 5:15 pm, Sep–Oct |
| Location | Kiso River Cormorant Fishing Dock |
| Location | Outside 2 Kita-Hakusanbira, Inuyama, Inuyama-shi, Aichi |
| Inquiries | 0568-61-2727 (Kisogawa Kanko Co., Inc. Available 9:30 am–4:00 pm, Mar–May and Oct 16–Nov 30 (weekdays only) and 9:30 am–5:30 pm, Jun–Oct 15.) |
| Price | • Afternoon/Night Cormorant Fishing Light Plan: JPY 3,500 (JPY 4,500) for adults / JPY 1,750 (JPY 2,250) for children (4 years old–elementary school ages) Notes: • Meal fee not included in the prices above. • Prices in parentheses are for nights only, Aug 1– Aug 10. • Afternoon Cormorant Fishing Onboard Meal Plan: JPY 6,000 for adults / JPY 4,200 for children (4 years old–elementary school ages) Note: • Meal fee included in the prices above. • Night Cormorant Fishing Onboard Meal Plan: JPY 3,500 (JPY 4,500) for adults / JPY 1,750 (JPY 2,250) for children (4 years old–elementary school ages) Note: • Meal fee not included in the prices above. Overall notes: • Free of charge for children ages 3 and younger. • All prices are per person. |
| Days closed | Differs by plan Note: • Check the official site for details. |
| Restrooms | Restroom breaks available with plans including a meal. |
| Parking | Available (approx. 25 passenger vehicle spaces) Note: • Unavailable for large-size vehicles such as buses. |
| Time required | • Afternoon Cormorant Fishing Light Plan: 1 hr. 20 min. • Afternoon Cormorant Fishing Onboard Meal Plan: 2 hr. 30 min. • Night Cormorant Fishing Light Plan: 1 hr. 15 min. • Night Cormorant Fishing Onboard Meal Plan: 2 hr. 30 min. |
| Other Major Facilities |
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| Links | Kisogawa Kanko Co., Ltd. website |
