Snorkel with Sea Bream: Fishing Boat Tour and Cooking Class

Meet Jun Hashimoto from Yuuei Fisheries in Asoura, a coastal fishing village in Mie Prefecture, and climb aboard his fishing boat for a tour of Asoura Fishing Village. Sailing across rippling blue waters, he’ll show you his fishing spots and give you the chance to get in on the action. Hauling aboard your catch from a fixed net hovering just beneath the surface of the water, you’ll discover all manner of wild seafood that’s native to the area, from stunning leopard-spotted sea bream and ethereal squid with galaxy eyes to shining silver yellowtail. Then, Hashimoto-san will take you over to the tai (Japanese sea bream) farm. As he feeds the tai in one of the farm’s enclosures, you’ll have the chance to dive in and discover the magnificent underwater world of sea bream. Back on land at Hashimoto-san’s guesthouse, you’ll shower and change clothes before the cooking class begins. He’ll teach you how to break down a whole fish and make sashimi from your freshly-caught seafood, and how to make a salt-baked fish. A beautiful centerpiece on the dining table, the fish is baked to tender perfection. Topped off with rice and soup, the meal is simple and delicious, highlighting the natural flavors of the sea.