Best Lakes for
Bass Fishing
in Japan
Japan has many options for great bass fishing throughout the country.
In our opinion, the following 5 lakes offer the best bass fishing experiences for overseas visitors.
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Bass fishing in Japan provides anglers an opportunity to challenge themselves with various techniques and lure types depending on the lake.
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Lake Biwa is where big bass dreams are made, but also a massive body of water with high fishing pressure.
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Lake Kawaguchi is a medium-sized body of water also with high fishing pressure, no soft plastic lures allowed, but has clean waters, incredible views, and healthy fish.
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Lake Kameyama is a small reservoir located just an hour outside of Tokyo, where tiny bass boats can be rented with trolling motors only for self-guided fishing opportunities.
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Lake Nojiri was the first lake that inspired the BassFishingJapan Instagram and this website. Tucked high in the mountains of Nagano, this small lake is lined with bass boats and full of smallmouth.
Lake Kasumigaura is the lake that perplexes all who fish it. Located conveniently near Narita Airport and not far from Tokyo, this is Japan's second largest freshwater lake.
Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture
Appeal: Large Lake / Big Bass
The mother of all bass fishing lakes and home to the world-record largemouth bass caught in 2009, Lake Biwa is Japan's largest freshwater lake and Japan's #1 lake for monster bass.
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Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi Prefecture
Appeal: Scenery / Accessibility
Arguably Japan's most picturesque lake, it's hard to concentrate on your line with stunning views of Mt. Fuji at the base of this pristine lake loaded with bass. Located just 1.5 hours by car or train from Tokyo!
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Lake Nojiri, Nagano Prefecture
Appeal: Smallmouth / Remote
If smallmouth bass fishing is your thing, then Lake Nojiri is the place to experience it in Japan! A picturesque lake stuffed with smallies, this lake is surrounded by the beautiful Japan Alps providing incredible scenery and crisp air.
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Lake Kameyama, Chiba Prefecture
Appeal: Access from Tokyo / Tiny Bass Boats
This unique fisheries is where Japanese bass anglers around Tokyo go to hone their skills. This lake does not allow private bass boats, but instead has small 'tiny bass boats' with troller motors only for rent.
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Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture
Appeal: Accessibility / Big Lake
Located just 30-minutes from Narita International Airport and just a 50-minutes train ride from the heart of Tokyo, Japan's second largest lake is within easy reach of the urban sprawl and is a popular destination amongst local bass anglers.
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