A family enjoying ice fishing from inside a warm tent on a frozen lake.

Wakasagi Ice Fishing

A Unique Sapporo Winter Experience: Catch, Cook, and Eat!

Key Points of the Tour

A scenic view of the Barato River in winter.

Great Location

Just a 30-45 minute drive from Sapporo to the Barato River fishing spot.

The Flying Dolphins tour van in a snowy Sapporo city scene.

Free Shuttle

We offer a hassle-free pickup service from Sapporo Station.

A complete set of ice fishing gear ready for use.

Come Empty-Handed

All fishing gear, bait, chairs, and tents are included in the price.

A warm, comfortable tent set up for ice fishing on a frozen lake.

Warm Tent

Enjoy fishing in a comfortable tent, sheltered from the wind and snow.

A friendly guide teaching a child how to fish.

Beginner Friendly

Our guides provide careful instruction, making it safe and fun for everyone.

Freshly cooked wakasagi tempura served on a plate.

Fresh Tempura

We'll cook your catch into delicious tempura right on the spot!

Choose Your Adventure: Two Plans Available

To make your experience as convenient as possible, we offer two ways to join the tour. Please choose the plan that best suits your travel style.

Sapporo Station Pickup Plan

Ideal for those without a car. We'll pick you up from a designated meeting point near Sapporo Station.

A shuttle bus in a snowy Sapporo city street.

Meet On-site Plan

Perfect if you have your own transportation. Meet us directly at the fishing spot for a quicker start.

A car parked near a frozen lake in a winter landscape.

Tour Plans & Details

Sapporo Station Pickup Plan

¥7,000 / person

For 1 Participant:
¥9,000
Duration:
Approx. 3.5 hours
Meeting Time:
AM 8:50 / PM 12:50
Meeting Place:
Lawson Sapporo Kita 8-jo Nishi-ten
Access:
5-min walk from JR Sapporo Station

Meet On-site Plan

¥6,000 / person

For 1 Participant:
¥8,000
Duration:
Approx. 2 hours
Meeting Time:
AM 9:40 / PM 13:40
Meeting Place:
Barato Garden North Hill Parking
Access:
Approx. 30 mins by car from Sapporo

Common Details for All Plans

Participation Age 4 years old and above (Adult/Child same price)
Season Late December to Early March (subject to ice conditions)
Included Guide fee, fishing equipment, tempura fee, and consumption tax.
Not Included Winter wear and boots (available for rent).

Tour Schedule

Sapporo Station Pickup Plan

AM PM Activity
8:50 12:50 Meet at Lawson Sapporo Kita 8-jo Nishi-ten
9:00 13:00 Depart for fishing spot
9:40 13:40 Arrive at Barato Garden, start fishing (approx. 2h)
11:45 15:45 Finish fishing, depart for Sapporo
12:30 16:30 Arrive back at Sapporo Station area

Meet On-site Plan

AM PM Activity
9:40 13:40 Meet at Barato Garden North Hill
9:45 13:45 Start fishing (approx. 2h)
11:45 15:45 Finish fishing, tour ends on-site

What to Wear & Bring

Warm winter clothing including a ski jacket, snow pants, gloves, and a winter hat.

Recommended Clothing

Staying warm is key to enjoying your day. Please dress in layers.

Outer Layer
A warm, waterproof ski jacket and snow pants are ideal.
Gloves & Hat
Warm, waterproof gloves and a winter hat that covers your ears are essential.
Footwear
Warm winter boots are necessary. Rental boots are available if you don't have your own.
Winter jacket and boots available for rent.

Rentals & Nice-to-Haves

We offer rental gear for your convenience.

Winter Wear Rental
Adult sizes S, M, L, XL: ¥1,500 per person
Winter Boot Rental
Sizes 23cm - 30cm (1cm increments): ¥500 per person
Recommended Extras
  • Disposable heat packs (Kairo)
  • Sunglasses (for sunny days)
  • Your own drinks

Important Notes

Important: Sapporo Station Pickup Point

Detailed map of the Lawson meeting point at Sapporo Station.

Please be careful, there are many Lawson stores around Sapporo Station.

Our meeting point is the Lawson on the 1st floor of the Sapporo L-PLAZA building , located right after you exit from the West Concourse, Exit 12 of Sapporo Station. When searching on a map, we recommend using "Sapporo L-PLAZA" as your keyword.

Meeting Point Maps

Sapporo Station Pickup Plan

Photo of the Lawson at Sapporo Elplaza building.

Location: Lawson Sapporo Kita 8-jo Nishi-ten

Address: 1F Sapporo Elplaza, Kita 8-jo Nishi 3-chome 28, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Access: Approx. 5-min walk from JR Sapporo Station. Take Exit 12 from the north side of the station.

Meet On-site Plan

Photo of the Barato Garden North Hill parking area.

Location: Barato Garden North Hill Parking

Address: 39-2 Bitoe, Ishikari-shi, Hokkaido 061-3245

Access by Car: Approx. 30 mins from Sapporo, 45 mins from Otaru, 55 mins from New Chitose Airport (CTS).

Why Fish with Flying Dolphins?

A collage of outdoor activities including ice fishing, ski rental, rafting, canyoning, SUP, and canoeing, showcasing year-round adventures in Hokkaido.

30+ Years of Experience

As pioneers of adventure tours in Hokkaido since 1988, your safety and enjoyment are guaranteed by our unparalleled experience.

A large group of happy participants posing for a photo on the frozen lake during a Wakasagi ice fishing tour.

English-Speaking Staff

From your first inquiry to the tour itself, our English-speaking staff are here to provide full support for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Three people fishing for wakasagi through holes in the ice in front of bright orange tents on a snowy day.

Guides Who Entertain

Our guides are more than just instructors; they are fun-loving entertainers dedicated to making your day unforgettable.

More About the Wakasagi Ice Fishing Tour

This tour takes you to the Barato River, which flows between Sapporo and Ishikari, for a wakasagi ice fishing experience. Our guides will carefully teach you how to fish, so even first-timers and children can enjoy with peace of mind. The wakasagi you catch will be cooked into tempura on the spot for you to eat.

Challenge Yourself with a Signature Hokkaido Winter Activity!

Wakasagi ice fishing is a classic winter tradition in Hokkaido. It's an activity where you fish for small, delicious fish called "wakasagi" through a hole in the frozen water. In the crisp winter air, this is a unique way to enjoy nature. The season begins in earnest in early December as the cold sets in, but the real fun starts in January and February when the ice becomes thick and stable. As the ice starts to melt in early March, the ice fishing season on the Barato River comes to a close.

A large group of tourists posing for a photo on the frozen lake, ready for their ice fishing adventure.

Great Access! A Quick Trip from Sapporo

Our fishing spot on the Barato River is located in Ishikari, a city adjacent to Sapporo, offering excellent access. It's just a 30-minute drive from Sapporo Station, 45 minutes from Otaru, and 55 minutes from New Chitose Airport (CTS). We also offer a convenient pickup plan from Sapporo Station. As a tributary near the mouth of the Ishikari River, one of Hokkaido's major rivers, the Barato River is known for its good water quality and large population of wakasagi, making it a famous and beginner-friendly fishing spot.

A wide-angle shot of the frozen Barato River with many orange fishing tents set up on the ice.

Pickup Plan from Sapporo Station Available

We offer a convenient pickup plan from Sapporo Station, so you can join our tour with ease from central Sapporo. The meeting point is the Lawson convenience store on the 1st floor of the Sapporo Elplaza building, right near Sapporo Station's North Exit, Exit 12. After the tour, we will drop you off at the same meeting point. We also offer a plan where you can meet us directly at the site.

The Flying Dolphins shuttle bus parked on a snowy street in Sapporo, near a Lawson convenience store.

Come Empty-Handed & Fish with Ease!

All necessary gear for wakasagi fishing—rod, reel, bait, bucket, and chair—is included in the tour fee. This means you can show up empty-handed and enjoy the experience without any hassle. For those with limited winter clothing, we also offer rental services for warm outerwear and boots for a special price. If you wish to rent, please let us know the item, quantity, and sizes by 8 PM the day before your tour.

The interior of an ice fishing tent, showing the provided chairs and small fishing tables.

Ice Fishing by Drilling a Hole in the Frozen River

On the gently flowing Barato River in winter, the surface freezes over completely. We drill a hole in this ice to fish for wakasagi underneath. This style of fishing is known as "ice fishing." Since we provide the ice auger, even first-timers can join without any worries.

A guide drilling a hole in the thick ice with an ice auger.

Comfortable Fishing in a Tent, Sheltered from Wind and Snow

Our wakasagi fishing tour on the Barato River is conducted inside a tent. This allows you to enjoy fishing in comfort, without being exposed to the cold wind or snow.

A happy family of three making peace signs while comfortably fishing inside a bright orange tent.

Expert Guides for Beginners & Kids

Our experienced guides will carefully teach you how to use the fishing gear. They will offer tips on how to catch fish and provide full support throughout the tour, ensuring that even first-timers and children can fully enjoy the experience. From setting up the bait to handling your catch, we've got you covered.

A friendly guide teaching a child how to fish.

Taste Your Freshly Caught Fish!

The best part of wakasagi fishing is eating your catch right away! Our guides will cook the fish you caught into delicious, crispy tempura on the spot, so you can enjoy them at their freshest.

Freshly cooked wakasagi tempura served on a plate.
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