5 Best Japanese Tenkara Rods – Discover Quality

Tenkara fly fishing is one of the most minimalistic forms of fishing that there is. The Japanese started making Tenkara fly fishing rods around 200 years ago. They used this technique to help them catch trout in the mountain streams of Japan. If you are looking for a simple and pure way to fish then Tenkara fly fishing is the way to go.

Since the Japanese perfected this type of fly fishing they do make the best Tenkara rods around. You are reading this right now because you probably would like to get started with Tenkara fly fishing and you would like to know what the best Japanese Tenkara rods are. In the following, I will walk you through what the best Tenkara rods that are on the market are manufactured by Japanese companies.

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Best Japanese Tenkara Fly Rods Reviewed

Tenkara fly fishing is a fun and simple way to fly fish. Now we will review each of the Tenkara rods that are on my list. Choosing one of these rods will get you off on the right foot when are starting out in the world of Tenkara fly fishing. Each of these rods is priced under $300 and they are of top quality craftsmanship made in Japan.

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Uzaki Nissin Pro Spec 2way 6:4 Action 360 | Tenkara Rod

The Pro Spec 2way by Uzaki Nissin is an excellent light Tenkara fly rod. Nissin has been manufacturing fly rods for a long time. They are known for their quality and durability in fly rods.

The Pro-Spec is great for catching trout, bass, and bluegills amongst other species of fish. It’s a versatile 2 piece Tenkara rod that will help you catch more in streams and rivers. This is a well-balanced rod for a smooth fishing experience. Works best using .8 to 1.2 lb test line. And it weighs in at a mere 2.6 ounces.

The handle is soft made of foam with a cork veneer look. Works well for people with big hands. The butt of the handle is 9.2 mm in circumference. Comes in 7 sections and 2 different actions of 6:4 and 7:3.

This rod zooms from 10.16′ to 11.8′ so if you need a longer rod just use the longer configuration. Casting couldn’t be any easier with the Pro Spec 2way. I would recommend a 5X tippet for most fish. This rod is available on Amazon.

LENGTH:	10.16′ to 11.8′
ACTION:	6:4
WEIGHT:	2.46918 Ounces
# SECTIONS:	7
TEST LINE:	.8 to 1.2 lbs
MY RATING:	9.6/10

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Uzaki Nissin Air Stage Fuji Style 6:4 Action 410 | Tenkara Rod

The Air Stage Fuji Style with 6:4 action is another quality Tenkara rod by Nissin. These are light rods with smooth casting capabilities. They also have a cypress wood grip and a handle that forms to your hand well which helps in hanging onto the rod when you have a struggling fish on the line. It’s also a very well-balanced rod. You will also appreciate how firm this rod feels which helps in catching larger-sized fish.

You will appreciate this Tenkara rod because it was designed by an experienced Tenkara fisherman named Hiromichi Fuji. So you will know that you are getting a quality well-made Tenkara rod. This rod weighs about 3 ounces and the full length is almost 13.5 feet. It’s truly a full flex but well-controlled fly rod.

The Fuji Style fishes great using both unweighted flies or weighted nymphs. Hooks set well and it has great line control and reach because of its length but it’s not too long so that your arms won’t get tired.

There are 2 actions to choose from which are 5:5 and 6:4. The Air Stage rods come in 4 different lengths. They are:

1. 10.11 Feet
2. 11 Feet
3. 12.3 Feet
4. 13.7 Feet

Air Stage Fuji Style with 6:4 Action 410 Specifications

LENGHT:	13.7 Feet
ACTION:	6:4
WEIGHT:	3 Ounces
# SECTIONS:	10 Sections
TEST LINE:	.8 to 1.2 lbs
MY RATING:	9.7/10

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Daiwa SEIRYU X Koucho 64 | Tenkara Rod

The Daiwa SEIRYU X Koucho 64 telescoping rod is mainly for fishing smaller species of fish like small bream and trout. It’s a telescoping rod so you can fish, various lengths depending on the size of stream or river you are fishing at. There are four models and lengths to choose from. They are:

1. Model #35 – 11.6 Feet
2. Model #45 – 14.8 Feet
3. Model #54 – 17.10 Feet
4. Model #64 – 21 Feet

It comes with a corkless grip so you have a better feel for what’s on the end of your line. And it’s priced right at under $200.

Diawa is another company from Japan that manufactures excellent fishing gear and their Tenkara rods are no exception. 5X tippet is recommended on these rods. It’s an all-around great lightweight rod if you are into catching smaller species of fish.

LENGTH:	21 Feet
ACTION:	6:4
WEIGHT:	4.7 Ounces
# SECTIONS:	13
TEST LINE:	.8 to 1.6 lbs
MY RATING:	9.2/10

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Usaki Nissin Zerosum 7.3 Action 3.20 | Tenkara Rod

The Usaki Nissin Zerosum 7:3 Action 3.20 is one of the better Tenkara fly rods that Nissin makes. The Zerosum is about 10.5 feet long when fully assembled. It comes in 7 sections and weighs only 2 ounces. The handle is made of real cork so you can grip the rod firmly without your hands slipping off. This ensures you don’t lose any prize fish opportunities.

Even though this rod is lightweight but it feels solid and well balanced when casting. Zerosum rods come in 2 ratings which are 6:4 and 7:3. They also comes in 4 different lengths for you to choose from. They are:

1. 10.6 feet
2. 11.11 feet
3. 13.5 feet
4. 15 feet

That’s a pretty good range of lengths to choose from. You can also catch some good-sized fish with them like smallmouth bass. Among other fish like trout and bream. They work well from small streams to large rivers. A very versatile rod. You can order one of your own today on Amazon!

Usaki Nissin Zerosum 7:3 Action 3.20 Specifications

LENGTH:	10.5 Feet
ACTION:	7:3
WEIGHT:	2.11644 Ounces
# SECTIONS:	7
TEST LINE:	8 – 1.2
MY RATING:	9.8/10

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Uzaki Nissin Rod Tenkara Starter Set 360

If you are a beginner to Tenkara fly fishing then you will want to consider purchasing the Uzaki Nissin Rod Tenkara Starter Set 360. This starter rod weighs only 2.29 ounces with a 7:3 action. The length is 11.8 feet which is a good length rod to get started with.

It comes with, fishing line, a selection of flies, a tippet, and a nylon sleeve to protect the rod when not in use. Everything you need to start Tenkara fly fishing straight away. This rod is of high-quality craftsmanship right from Japan the birthplace of Tenkara.

All items included are of high quality. You also get a plastic spool with a foam insert to carry your line on when not in use. The spool fits on the end of the rod so you can store your line when not in use. Recommended test line for this rod is .8 – 1.2 lbs.

Uzaki Nissin Rod Tenkara Starter Set 360

LENGHT:	11.8 Feet
ACTION:	7:3
WEIGHT:	2.29 ounces
# SECTIONS:	8
TEST LINE:	.8 to 1.2 lbs
MY RATING:	9.5/10

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What to Look For in a Quality Tenkara Rod

There are a few things to consider when choosing a Tenkara rod and I will explain them in this section.

Rod Length

Depending on where you are fishing will determine the length of the rod you choose. If you are fishing in mainly small streams and creeks a shorter-sized rod will work. For small streams, I would recommend a rod with a length of 10 to 13 feet.

If you are fishing bigger-sized rivers you will want to go with a longer rod length anywhere from 14 feet to 21 feet. This is obvious because the bigger the river you are fishing the farther you will need to cast.

Action or Flex

The action rating of a rod consists of how much the total length rod flexes and how much of the rod is stiff. For example, a 5:5 action rod has a 50 to 50 percent ratio of flex to stiffness in the rod

A 5:5 action rod will cast much slower than a 6:4 or 7:3 rod. The larger the action the more backbone the rod will have. If you want a rod that can handle larger types of fish you would want to opt for a 7:3 action.

Materials

The materials that the rod is made of is important. In the old days, the Japanese used bamboo to make their Tenkara rods. Today they are made out of carbon fiber/fiberglass. Some of the cheaper Tenkara rods may be made out of plastic so you will want to avoid them.

Consider a real cork handle for better gripping action when pulling those larger fish in. If you stick with the top 4 Japanese manufacturers of Tenkara rods you will know you are getting quality craftsmanship and materials.

The top 4 Japanese manufacturers of Tenkara rods are:

1. Usaki Nissin
2. Schimano
3. Daiwa
4. Gamakatsu

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Conclusion – Best Japanese Tenkara Rods

Japanese Tenkara rods are the best in the world. Now that you have information on what to look for in a quality Tenkara rod and what the best Japanese Tenkara rods are you can make a sound decision on which Tenkara rod is right for you.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Until next time Happy Tenkara Fly Fishing!