What this guide covers
- The length at which fishing rods and landing nets can be carried on board
- How fish hooks and knives are handled
The items here can go in checked baggage even if they cannot be carried on board.
1. Rods and nets
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing rods | Allowed if 60cm or less when folded. Wooden or plastic ones judged not to be weapons are allowed | Allowed |
| Fishing and insect collecting nets | Allowed if 60cm or less when folded. Wooden or plastic ones judged not to be weapons are allowed | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
2. Hooks and blades
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Fish hooks (for blue marlin) | Not allowed (allowed if 10cm or less from the bottom of the U to the eye, unless judged to be a possible weapon) | Allowed |
| Knives | Not allowed (round-bladed knives like butter knives that are not dangerous are allowed) | Allowed |
| Scissors | Allowed if not pointed and the blade (from tip to fulcrum) is 6cm or less | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
3. Related items
- Self-inflating life jackets and spare cartridges → Gas cartridges
- Dry ice for cooling (up to 2.5kg per person) → Dry ice and ice packs
According to MLIT, even an item listed as allowed may not be carried on board if the airline or security inspector determines that it can be used as a weapon due to its material, strength, shape, etc. Replicas and similar items of restricted items are also restricted.
Some airlines have stricter rules. Airlines may also have their own rules for checking long rods and similar items, so check your airline's information too.