tsuri

Tsuri (釣り) is the Japanese word for fishing, an activity that centers on catching fish with a rod and line. The term derives from the verb tsuru, meaning to fish with a hook and line. In everyday usage, tsuri encompasses both recreational and sport fishing as well as certain forms of subsistence fishing.

Practices and equipment in tsuri range from traditional to modern. Typical gear includes a rod (sao), fishing line (ito), a hook (bashi or harai), and bait or lures (餌 e). Reels are common in many forms of inland and saltwater fishing, while tenkara is a traditional method using a long, flexible rod with a fixed line and no reel, often practiced in mountain streams. Techniques vary by water type, target species, and local custom, including bait fishing, lure fishing, and fly fishing with artificial flies.

Fishting activities in Japan are diverse, with freshwater forms targeting species such as carp and trout and coastal or offshore fishing targeting sea bass and other marine species. tsuri is popular for leisure, sport, and the sustenance of fishing communities, and it features in regional festivals and tourism.

Regulation of tsuri is managed at the prefectural or local water-body level, with licenses or registrations often required for freshwater fishing and seasonal restrictions or catch limits that vary by location and species. Environmental and conservation considerations, such as habitat protection and sustainable catch, are increasingly emphasized in contemporary practice.