Japanese Flying Squid in Japan

Night boat fishing under lights (ika-metal). Summer into autumn.

The fish

Japanese: スルメイカ · surume-ika
Scientific name: Todarodes pacificus
Typical size: 20–30 cm mantle (8–12 in)
Water: Saltwater

Across the year

The best month at any of the 2 places we have checked. Each place has its own window, and the season elsewhere in Japan may differ.

Where we have checked it

These are examples, not a complete list. Japanese Flying Squid is caught far more widely in Japan than the 2 waters below. We list a place only once we have worked out which rules apply there, so the absence of a water means we have not checked it — not that the fish is missing.

Rishiri & Wakkanai coastHokkaido · SaltwaterJuly, August and September are the prime months.
Toyama BayToyama · SaltwaterJuly, August and September are the prime months.