Japanese Rural Life Adventure Fishing Guide: Every Fish Location and How to Catch Them

Fishing is one of the most rewarding activities in Japanese Rural Life Adventure, and it’s also one of the best ways to make money early on. There are 34 total fish to collect in the game, spread across multiple locations and seasons.

Whether you’re trying to fill out your Creature Encyclopedia or just looking for a reliable source of income, this guide covers everything you need to know. We’ll break down how to get your fishing rod, how the mechanics work, and where to find every single fish in the game.

How to Get the Fishing Rod

The Fishing Rod is crafted at the workbench inside your home. It’s one of the first tools you should prioritize making, right alongside the bug net.

You’ll need to gather a few basic materials to craft it, all of which can be found in the areas surrounding your home, plus string from the old woman. Once you’ve got the rod in your inventory, you’re free to fish at any of the game’s water spots whenever you like.

How Fishing Works

To start fishing, equip the Fishing Rod from your inventory and interact with any body of water that has a fishing spot. Cast your line and wait for a fish to bite.

When a fish takes the bait, a minigame starts. You need to keep tapping the button to reel in the fish while keeping your indicator in the correct zone. Each fish has a stamina value that determines how long it fights before you land it.

Your fishing level increases the more you fish, which is really important. As your level goes up, your stamina improves and the damage you deal to fish during the minigame increases. This means fish that felt nearly impossible to catch early on become much more manageable over time.

Fish cast shadow sizes in the water that give you a hint about what you’ve hooked. Shadows come in small, medium, and large varieties. Large shadows usually mean you’ve got something rare or valuable on the line.

One important thing to keep in mind is that you cannot fish at night without a light source. Craft a lamp or candlestick as early as possible. Without one, you’re locked out of nighttime fishing entirely, and many fish are available during both morning and night hours.

Understanding Star Ratings and Dagashi

Every fish in the game has a star rating that ranges from 1 star to 4 stars. The higher the star rating, the rarer and more difficult the fish is to encounter. Common 1-star fish show up all the time, while a 4-star fish like the Ito can take a lot of patience and preparation to land.

This is where Dagashi comes in. Dagashi are candies you can buy from the Dagashiya store in the village. Unlike regular food, dagashi doesn’t restore any hearts or energy. Instead, each dagashi has a unique effect that boosts your luck for encountering fish, bugs, or animals of a specific star rating.

There are 30 different dagashi available in the game, with 19 on sale each day. Before you complete the Summer Festival, only 1-star and 2-star dagashi are available. After the festival, the daily selection becomes random and includes higher-tier options.

You can’t see the name or effect of a dagashi in the purchase menu. You can only see the cost and how many you’ve bought total. You can carry up to 10 of each dagashi at a time.

Fun Size Chocolate, Mentaiko Umeibo, Corn Umeibo, Plum Daikon and Cola Bubblegum will all help you catch 1-star fish.

Sauce Umeibo and Sauce Senbei will help you catch 2-star fish.

Number 4 Chocolate and Sakrua Mochi will help you catch 3-star fish.

Wakkkachoko will help you catch 4-star fish.

Finally Number 9 Chocolate will help you catch 5-star fish.

Also, make sure to buy the Creature Encyclopedia from the Shopkeeper. This unlocks detailed information in your Guide about which seasons and times of day each fish is available, which is incredibly helpful for tracking down the ones you’re missing.

Every Fishing Location

There are four distinct fishing spots in Japanese Rural Life Adventure. Each location has its own unique pool of fish, though a few species can be found in more than one area.

Above the Waterfall is located upstream from your home near the mountain. This area is home to several trout and char species that prefer the colder, faster-moving water.

Below the Waterfall is a smaller fishing area right beneath the falls. It’s notable for being the only place where you can catch the rare Oshurokoma.

The River is the main fishing area and the one you’ll probably use the most. It’s accessible right from the start and has the largest variety of fish available across all four seasons.

The Seaside is a special location that you unlock later in the game after fully renovating the Museum and speaking with the Village Head. The seaside has its own set of ocean fish that can’t be caught anywhere else. Important: the Seaside is completely closed during winter. You cannot fish or gather shells there during the cold months, so plan accordingly.

Above the Waterfall Fish

Aburahaya is a small, common 1-star fish available during Spring and Summer. It appears during morning and night hours and casts a small shadow. With only 150 stamina, it’s one of the easiest fish in the game to reel in.

Amago is a type of masu salmon recognized by its red spots. It’s a 1-star fish available in Spring, Summer, and Fall during morning and night. It has a small shadow and 200 stamina, making it a straightforward catch.

Higai is a 3-star fish with a small shadow that can be caught above the waterfall or in the river.

Ito is the hardest fish to catch in the game. This 4-star fish is the rarest catchable fish in the game. It appears during Spring, Fall, and Winter in both the river and above the waterfall. It casts a large shadow and has a massive 500 stamina, making it an absolute beast to reel in. To catch the Ito, you’ll want to maximize your fishing skill, eat a the Wakkachoko dagashi that boosts your luck for 4-star creatures, and fish near your house by the mountain. Early November is considered one of the best times to target this fish.

Iwana is a char species found above the waterfall during Spring and Summer. It’s a 1-star fish with a medium shadow and 200 stamina. Look for it during morning and night hours.

Kajika is only available during Summer and Fall, making it easy to miss if you’re not paying attention to the seasons. It’s a 1-star fish with a medium shadow and 200 stamina found above the waterfall during morning and night.

Kamatsuka is a 1-star bottom-dwelling fish found in the river and above the waterfall during all four seasons. It has a medium shadow and appears during morning and night hours.

Nijimasu (rainbow trout) a 2-star fish prefers colder water temperatures and is found above the waterfall and in the river. Look for it during Fall or Winter. It appears during morning and night.

Sake (salmon), a 3-star fish, is found above the waterfall and in the river during Fall and Winter. Japanese dining wouldn’t be the same without it. This fish has a larger shadow and puts up a decent fight.

Ugui also appears above the waterfall, though it can be caught in the River as well. It’s a 1-star fish available in all four seasons with a medium shadow and 200 stamina. This is one of the most common fish in the entire game.

Wakasagi is an edible smelt that adapts well to many types of water. It’s found above the waterfall and in the river during Winter and Fall. It appears during day and night.

Under the Waterfall Fish

Hasu is a 1-star cyprinid fish found under the waterfall during Spring and Summer. It has a medium shadow and is available during both day and night hours.

Haze (goby) is found during Spring, Summer and Fall. It’s a common 1-star catch available during day and night hours.

Oshurokoma is a 3-star fish and one of the trickiest catches in the game. It’s found exclusively below the waterfall during Spring, Summer, and Fall. It has a medium shadow but a whopping 400 stamina, so it puts up a serious fight.

You’ll want to level up your fishing skill before seriously going after this one. Using a dagashi that boosts your odds of encountering 3-star creatures (like Number 4 Chocolate or Sakura Mochi) will also help a lot, since the Oshurokoma doesn’t show up nearly as often as the more common fish.

River Fish

The River is your bread-and-butter fishing location. It has the widest variety of fish and is accessible right from the beginning of the game. Here’s every fish you can catch here.

Ayu (sweetfish) is a 1-star fish found during Spring, Summer, and Fall. It has a medium shadow and 300 stamina, so it’s a bit tougher than the 1-star fish. It appears during day and night.

Ezo Iwana is a 1-star fish available during Spring and Summer. It has a medium shadow with 200 stamina and appears during day and night. It’s one of the reliable early catches you’ll pull in regularly.

Herabuna is a 1-star fish that’s exclusively available during Winter. It has a medium shadow and appears during day and night. This is one of the few fish that can only be caught in the coldest season.

Higai is a 3-star fish with a small shadow that can be caught above the waterfall or in the river.

Himemasu, a 1-star fish, is a type of sockeye salmon with a distinctive silver body and a medium shadow. It appears in the river during Spring, Summer and Fall and is available during morning and night.

Ito is the hardest fish to catch in the game. This 4-star fish is the rarest catchable fish in the game. It appears during Spring, Fall, and Winter in both the river and above the waterfall. It casts a large shadow and has a massive 500 stamina, making it an absolute beast to reel in. To catch the Ito, you’ll want to maximize your fishing skill, eat a the Wakkachoko dagashi that boosts your luck for 4-star creatures, and fish near your house by the mountain. Early November is considered one of the best times to target this fish.

Kamatsuka is a 1-star bottom-dwelling fish found in the river and above the waterfall during all four seasons. It has a medium shadow and appears during morning and night hours.

Kawamushi is a 1-star fish that is available in the river across all seasons. It’s a common catch with a medium shadow that shows up during morning and night.

Nijimasu (rainbow trout) a 2-star fish prefers colder water temperatures and is found above the waterfall and in the river. Look for it during Fall or Winter. It appears during morning and night.

Oikawa is a 1-star fish available during all four seasons. With a medium shadow and 200 stamina, it’s one of the most common fish you’ll encounter in the river. It shows up during morning and night.

Otanago is a 1-star fish available in all seasons during morning and night. It has a medium shadow and 200 stamina. Like Oikawa, it’s a very common catch.

Oyanirami is a 2-star perch that inhabits gently flowing parts of the river. It’s also known as “yotsume” (four eyes) because of the eye-like pattern on its fins. Available in all seasons during day and night, it has a small shadow and 300 stamina. You’ll need two of these as a present for the Teacher.

Sake (salmon), a 3-star fish, is found above the waterfall and in the river during Fall and Winter. Japanese dining wouldn’t be the same without it. This fish has a larger shadow and puts up a decent fight.

Wakasagi is an edible smelt that adapts well to many types of water. It’s found above the waterfall and in the river during Winter and Fall. It appears during day and night.

Yamame is a type of masu salmon that stayed in the river instead of migrating to sea. It’s a 1-star fish found during Spring, Summer, and Fall. It has a medium shadow and is available during day and night hours.

Zezera is a small river fish available during Spring and Summer. It’s a 1-star catch that appears during morning and night hours.

Seaside Fish

The Seaside is a late-game fishing area that you unlock after fully renovating the Museum and speaking with the Village Head. As part of the village revitalization, you’ll need to clear driftwood from the beach before you can fish here.

Remember that the Seaside is completely inaccessible during Winter. No fishing, no shell gathering. Plan your seaside fishing trips for the other three seasons.

Aji (horse mackerel) is a 1-star seaside fish available during Spring, Summer, and Fall. It’s one of the most common ocean catches and a good source of income once you unlock the area.

Iwashi (sardine) is a 1-star seaside fish available across all seasons. It’s a medium, common catch that you’ll reel in frequently while fishing at the ocean.

Saba (mackerel) shows up at the seaside primarily during Summer. It’s a 1-star fish with a medium shadow and sells for a decent price.

Kasago (scorpion fish) is a bright red 3-star medium shadow fish that can be caught at the seaside across Spring, Summer, and Fall. Despite being available most of the year, it’s considered best during the colder months.

Kawahagi (filefish) is a 4-star rare, expensive, and delicious seaside fish. It’s available during Spring, Fall and Winter and casts a small shadow. This is one of the more valuable catches at the ocean.

How to Get Koi

Koi are not caught through regular fishing. This is a common misconception that trips up a lot of players. Instead, you get Koi through the Summer Festival.

During the festival, visit the Koi Stall and play the ring paper scooping game. If you’re successful, you’ll receive Koi Fry that you can place in the pond outside your home.

There are 5 different Koi variations in the game. The fry you catch at the festival will grow to maturity over time in your pond. You’ll need to return to the Summer Festival across multiple years to collect all five types.

Before you can raise Koi, make sure you’ve built and filled the pond at your home. You’ll need to use the headgate to supply water to it.

Tips for Catching Rare Fish

Level up your fishing skill as much as possible. The single best thing you can do is fish constantly. Your improved stamina and damage make a massive difference when tackling high-stamina fish like the Ito (500 stamina) or Oshurokoma (400 stamina).

Always use dagashi before targeting rare fish. Head to the Dagashiya and pick up candies that boost your luck for the star rating you’re going after. Eating a dagashi before casting your line significantly increases your chances of encountering rare species.

Pay attention to seasons and times of day. Many fish are only available during specific seasons, and almost all fish have time-of-day requirements. Check your Creature Encyclopedia in the Guide regularly to see what’s available right now.

Cook your fish before selling them. Raw fish sells for very little, but cooked fish sells for around 100 coins each. This makes fishing one of the fastest money-making methods in the early game. Use the hearth in your home to cook fish into suyaki (grilled fish) and other dishes.

Don’t forget to explore every fishing spot. It’s easy to get comfortable fishing in the river since it’s the most accessible location. But fish like the Hasu (under the waterfall) and Oshurokoma (below the waterfall) can only be found at their specific spots. Visit each location regularly.

Save some fish for gifts and quests. Certain villagers want specific fish as presents, and some quests require you to hand over particular species. Don’t sell every single catch. The Oyanirami, for example, is needed as a present for the Teacher.

Target the Seaside before winter hits. Since the ocean area shuts down completely during winter, make sure you’ve done your seaside fishing during Spring, Summer, and Fall. If you’re trying to complete your collection, don’t wait until the last minute.

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Images in this article were captured by the author from the Steam version of the game and used under Fair Use.