Ichigaya Fishing Center (Photo: Dimitry B. / CC BY 2.0)
Ichigaya Fishing Center (Photo: Dimitry B. / CC BY 2.0)
- 2 min read

Ichigaya Fishing Center

Fishing in the middle of Tokyo?

You'd never think that fishing in the middle of Tokyo would be a possibility, let alone a reality but welcome to the world's never ending city. Sitting along the Kanda River in Shinjuku City lies the irrepressible Ichigaya Fishing Center and what a place it is.

A dream haven for the urban angler, the Ichigaya Fishing Center has been in operation since the 1960s and, along with its goldfish pond and five much larger carp-filled pools, comes complete with shop and aquarium filled with fish for sale.

Ichigaya Fishing Center
Ichigaya Fishing Center (Photo: Kentaro Ohno / CC BY 2.0)

Those new to fishing can wet their feet at the mini-fishing pond where scores of children (and their beginner parents... ) do their best to land as many goldfish as they can in a set time period. Collected in a small net, the goldfish can be taken home for a small fee though its quite common to simply return the goldfish back into the water.

Seated around the much larger pools is where you'll find the quasi-big boys plying their trade. A fantastic sense of the blue-collar permeates this place as veteran visitors and those imagining themselves to be all sit alongside each other on upturned crates and try their hands at catching carp weighing in at around at a solid one kilogram.

Ichigaya Fishing Center
Ichigaya Fishing Center (Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson / CC BY 2.0)

Prices for the mini-fishing begins at JPY500 for a 30-minute session with a JPY100 charge for taking the goldfish home. The carp fishing fee for an adult ranges from JPY780 for an hour to JPY2910 for a whole-day session. On weekdays, the centre opens at 9:30 am and, depending on the season, will close between 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Weekend times begin at 9 am and, again depending on the season, closes between 7 - 8 pm.

Getting there

Take the Toei Shinjuku Subway Line or the Metro Namboku or Yurakucho lines to Ichigaya Station and head out Exit 1. The fishing center is no more than a 1-minute walk away.

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Sherilyn Siy 4 years ago
¥500 for a 30 minute session is a great price to just get your feet wet.
Sleiman Azizi Author 4 years ago
It's not bad at all. A bit of fun and some good times with the kids as well.
Kim 4 years ago
I've seen this from the train a number of times and was always curious about it!
Elizabeth S 4 years ago
Me, too! When I used to commute into Tokyo, I always looked out for the fishing center.

I had a look at the shop there - it's pretty comprehensive with fish and aquarium goods.
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
Mostly men hobby! :D
Sleiman Azizi Author 4 years ago
Ahaha, I didn’t consider that but yes, you're right.

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